How to open PDF files automatically in Preview

Question

Level 1

6 points

How to open PDF files automatically in Preview

Before upgrading to Safari 11, if I clicked on a link in Safari to a PDF, the file would automatically download to my downloads folder and Preview would open the file.

After upgrading, when I click on a link to a PDF file, a new tab opens in safari and the PDF is displayed in the safari browser. Preview no longer opens and the file does not download into my downloads folder.

How can I change it back to automatically opening in preview?

Thanks

Mac mini, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1)

Posted on Nov 15, 2017 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Nov 16, 2017 3:13 AM in response to Geoff Miller

Open PDF files automatically

Safari > Preferences > General

Enable "Open safe files after downloading".

For more info:

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/safari/general-preferences-ibrw1072/mac

https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/view-pdf-files-ibrw1090

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Answer 2

Nov 16, 2017 6:14 AM in response to Geoff Miller

Right click on the PDF link and download it.

It will then open in Preview.

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Answer 3

Geoff Miller Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 16, 2017 5:00 AM in response to dominic23

The 'open safe files' box is already checked but still PDFs only open in the browser.

I tried unchecking, then rechecking the box to no avail.

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Answer 4

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Nov 16, 2017 5:53 AM in response to Geoff Miller

Do you have Adobe Reader plugin installed?

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Answer 5

Geoff Miller Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 16, 2017 6:43 AM in response to dominic23

all adobe plug-ins are currently disabled

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Answer 6

Geoff Miller Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 16, 2017 6:45 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I know that is always an option, but I'd prefer to download/open them outside safari.

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Answer 7

Nov 16, 2017 6:47 AM in response to Geoff Miller

Safari has had its own built-in PDF viewer for years. No plugin required.

The only way to open a PDF in Preview is to download it.

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Answer 8

Geoff Miller Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 16, 2017 6:57 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Up until I upgraded to High Sierra (from Sierra) and Safari 11, PDF files have always downloaded to my downloads and opened in preview. Never before have they opened in Safari.

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