How to Merge PDF Files on Mac — 3 Simple Methods

Merging PDF files on a Mac is easier than you think. Whether you are combining scanned documents, reports, or e-books, there are several ways to get the job done quickly. In this guide, we will walk you through three methods: using Preview, the built-in macOS tool, using an online PDF merger, and using PDF Studios for the best experience.

Method 1: Using Preview (Built-in)

Preview is macOS's default PDF viewer and it can merge PDFs with a few steps. Open the first PDF in Preview, then open the Thumbnails sidebar. Drag the second PDF into the sidebar, rearrange pages as needed, and then export the combined file.

Limitation: Preview does not support merging more than two PDFs easily, and it does not preserve advanced PDF features like bookmarks or interactive forms.

Method 2: Using an Online PDF Merger

Online tools like PDF Studios let you merge PDFs directly in your browser. Simply upload your files, drag and drop to reorder them, and download the merged result. No installation required, and it works on any device.

Advantage: You can merge unlimited PDFs, reorder pages before merging, and the process is much faster than Preview for large batches.

Method 3: Using Terminal (Advanced)

For tech-savvy users, macOS includes command-line tools that can merge PDFs. You can use Python with PyPDF2 or the `pdfunite` tool from the poppler package. This is ideal for automating batch merges or scripting workflows.

Example: pdfunite file1.pdf file2.pdf output.pdf

Conclusion

For occasional merging, Preview works fine. For regular use or large batches, an online tool like PDF Studios is faster and more reliable. For automation, Terminal scripts are the way to go.