How to Merge PDF Files on Mac for Free (Preview and Online)
Combine multiple PDF files on Mac using Preview or free online tools. Step-by-step guide — no Adobe Acrobat needed.
Two Free Ways to Merge PDFs on Mac
Mac has a built-in PDF merger in the Preview app, and online tools like Breklo work equally well. Here are both methods.
Method 1: Preview (Built into macOS — Free)
Preview on Mac is a powerful free PDF tool. Merging is straightforward:
1. Open the first PDF in Preview
2. Go to View → Thumbnails to show the sidebar
3. Drag the second PDF file from Finder directly into the thumbnail sidebar
4. Drop it at the position where you want those pages to appear
5. Repeat for any additional PDFs
6. Go to File → Export as PDF to save the merged document
Important: Use Export as PDF — not Save. Saving may overwrite your original file.
### Reordering Pages in Preview
Before exporting, you can drag pages in the thumbnail sidebar to reorder them. Drag a page thumbnail to a new position to move it.
### Removing Pages in Preview
Click a page in the sidebar, then press the Delete key to remove it before merging.
Method 2: Breklo Online Tool (Works on Any Browser)
If you prefer an online tool or need more control:
1. Go to breklo.com/merge-pdf in Safari
2. Upload all your PDF files
3. Use the ↑ ↓ arrows to set the order
4. Click Merge PDFs
5. Download the result
Breklo processes everything in your browser — no upload to servers.
Which Method Is Best?
| Preview | Breklo | |
|---|---|---|
| No internet needed | ✓ | — |
| Drag to reorder pages | ✓ | ✓ (file level) |
| No file size limit | ✓ | Up to 100MB |
| Works on Windows | — | ✓ |
For Mac-only use, Preview is slightly faster. For cross-platform consistency or larger files, Breklo works well.
After Merging: Compress the Result
Merged PDFs are often large. Compress the merged PDF before sharing or emailing it.
Try these free tools
Frequently asked questions
How do I merge PDFs on Mac without Adobe Acrobat?
Use Preview — open the first PDF, go to View → Thumbnails, and drag the second PDF into the sidebar. Then Export as PDF to save the merged result.
Is Preview free on Mac?
Yes. Preview is built into every Mac and is completely free. It can merge, split, rotate, annotate and password-protect PDFs without any additional software.
Can I reorder pages when merging in Preview?
Yes. In the thumbnail sidebar, drag page thumbnails to rearrange them before exporting the merged PDF.
Why should I use Export as PDF instead of Save in Preview?
Using Save may modify your original file. Export as PDF creates a new file, keeping your originals intact.
Is there a file size limit for merging PDFs in Preview?
Preview has no explicit size limit, though very large PDFs may be slow to process. Breklo supports up to 100 MB per file.
Can I merge more than two PDFs on Mac?
Yes. In Preview, you can drag as many PDF files as you want into the thumbnail sidebar and arrange them in any order.