How to combine PDF files on a Mac

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open the first PDF in Preview, choose View, Thumbnails, then drag the other PDF files into the sidebar where you want them. Choose File, Export as PDF to save the combined document.

Preview, the app that opens PDFs on every Mac, can merge documents, reorder pages and delete pages. No extra software is needed.

Step by step

  1. Open the first PDF in Preview

    Double-click it. If it opens in another app, right-click the file and choose Open With, Preview.

  2. Show the page thumbnails

    Choose View, Thumbnails. A sidebar with small pages appears.

  3. Drag the other PDFs into the sidebar

    Drag a PDF file from Finder and drop it on the line between two thumbnails, or below the last page to add it at the end.

  4. Reorder or remove pages

    Drag thumbnails up and down. Select a page and press Delete to remove it.

  5. Save the result

    Choose File, Export as PDF, give it a new name and click Save. This keeps your original files unchanged.

Good to know

The quick way for whole files: select several PDFs in Finder, right-click and choose Quick Actions, Create PDF.

On any computer or phone, our free tool does the same in the browser, and the files never leave your device: Merge PDF. To change the order of pages, use Reorder pages.

In short: Preview, View, Thumbnails, drag PDFs into the sidebar, File, Export as PDF.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Combine PDFs in Preview on Mac

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.