Method 1: Using Preview (Built-in)

1. Open first PDF in Preview app
2. Click View > Thumbnails to show sidebar
3. Drag and drop other PDFs into the thumbnail sidebar
4. Arrange thumbnails in desired order
5. File > Export as PDF to save merged file

Method 2: Using PdfVala (Easiest)

1. Open Safari, Chrome, or any browser
2. Visit pdfvala.com/merge-pdf
3. Drag and drop PDF files
4. Reorder if needed
5. Click "Merge PDFs" and download

Method 3: Using Terminal (Advanced)

1. Open Terminal app
2. Navigate to folder with PDFs: cd ~/Documents
3. Run: "/System/Library/Automator/Combine PDF Pages.action/Contents/Resources/join.py" -o merged.pdf file1.pdf file2.pdf
4. Find merged.pdf in the same folder

Which Method Should You Use?

• Preview - Best for quick merges of 2-3 files
• PdfVala - Best for multiple files with easy reordering
• Terminal - Best for automation and batch processing
• For most users, PdfVala offers the best balance of ease and features

Can Preview merge PDFs on Mac?

Yes! Preview is a powerful built-in Mac app that can merge PDFs. However, PdfVala offers easier reordering and handles more files at once.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to merge PDFs on Mac?

No built-in shortcut exists, but you can create an Automator workflow or use PdfVala bookmarked in your browser.

Why use PdfVala instead of Preview?

PdfVala is faster for multiple files, offers drag-and-drop reordering, and works the same way across all your devices.

Can I merge PDFs on iPhone/iPad?

Yes! Use PdfVala in Safari on iOS, or use the Files app with Quick Actions.