How to read PDFs on Mac.

PDFs offer much more interactivity than typical document files. Learn how to open and read PDF files on your Mac without losing functionality.

Open the PDF file with the right application.

On a Mac, you can read PDFs in three simple steps:

1. Select the PDF and click File, then Get Info.
2. Choose the application you want to use to view the PDF.
3. Click Open.

On Mac computers, the default application for viewing PDFs is Preview. While this might allow you to read PDFs on a Mac, you’ll only be able to view it and won’t have access to any of the dynamic or interactive elements.

If you want to edit, use dropdown menus, or sign PDFs, it’s best to open the file with software designed for PDFs, like Adobe Acrobat.

PDF reading controls for Mac.

Once you open the PDF with Acrobat, you’ll have several options available to help you read through the document:

• Read mode hides the toolbars for a clear view of the page. Toggle with the Read Mode button in the View menu at the top or on the floating toolbar.
• Full-screen mode fills the entire screen with the PDF. Full screen mode is most often used for presentations.
• Change themes alters the PDF’s background and font colors for a more pleasing reading experience. Choose between display themes — system, light gray, or dark gray.
• Zoom magnifies or decreases text size for easier reading. You can find the Zoom function on the top toolbar or in the View tab.

Whether it’s official contracts or entertaining articles, PDFs make it easy to read any document on your Mac.

Explore what more you can do with Acrobat Reader to enhance your PDF experience on Mac.