Choose Acrobat when your PDF workflow uses its form handling or other PDF tools. Setting the default makes local PDFs launch the installed Acrobat app; it does not unlock features that require an Adobe subscription.
Method 1: Use Finder
- In Finder, select a sample file such as form.pdf.
- Press Command–I, or choose File → Get Info.
- Expand Open with and choose Adobe Acrobat. If it is missing, choose Other and locate the installed app.
- Click Change All and confirm the macOS prompt.
- Double-click another file of the same type to check the new default.
Method 2: Manage associations with Pahkui
Pahkui lets you browse by app or by format. When setting up an editor for several file types, you can inspect the current defaults and review pending changes in one window. Requires macOS 14 or later.
- Open Pahkui, switch to Format, and search for the extension you need from .pdf.
- Select Adobe Acrobat. Use Choose another app if it is not listed.
- Review the pending association, click Apply changes, and confirm the new app in the macOS dialog.
The formats in this guide can be configured with Pahkui Free. The manual Finder method does not require a purchase. See pricing
If the default app does not change
- If several Adobe versions are installed, select the intended .app rather than an obsolete installation.
- Browser PDFs may continue to use a browser viewer; download a local copy before testing the default.
- If Adobe Acrobat is missing, confirm it is installed and can open the sample directly, then locate it with Other. If an extension is absent from the catalog, add the format in Pahkui. Changing an association does not add format support to the target app.
Common questions
Does Pahkui include Acrobat paid features?
No. Pahkui manages the macOS association. Adobe licensing and the PDF features available in your installation are separate.
How do I restore the previous app for .pdf?
Choose the previous app again in Finder or Pahkui and confirm the change. This updates the type association without deleting files. Use the Open With context menu for a one-time exception.