How to Merge PDFs on Mac (Preview and Beyond)
To merge PDFs on a Mac, select the files in Finder, right-click, choose Quick Actions, then Create PDF. They are combined in the order shown. In Preview you can also open one PDF, show thumbnails and drag the other file in. Check page order before saving.
Using Preview
Open the first PDF, choose View, Thumbnails, then drag the second file into the sidebar where you want it. Save with File, Export as PDF to keep the original safe.
Using Finder
Select several PDFs, right-click, and choose Quick Actions, then Create PDF. Finder merges them in the displayed order.
When an app helps
Paperlane for Mac is a free native macOS app that merges PDFs on your Mac. It merges 2 to 100 PDFs in the order you arrange them, can add a bookmark per file, and offers the Finder Quick Action “Merge PDFs with Paperlane”.
Limits
Merging does not shrink files, so combined PDFs can be large; compress afterward. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Existing bookmarks are not carried over in Paperlane for Mac, though it can add a bookmark for each source file.
Frequently asked questions
Does merging change page quality?
No. Pages are copied as they are.
Can I merge without Preview?
Yes, with the Finder Quick Action or an app.