How to Split PDF on Mac Free (2026 Guide)

Published on January 25, 2026 • 7 min read

Need to split a PDF file on your Mac? This guide shows you the easiest free methods to divide PDFs into separate pages or sections on macOS.

Method 1: PdfVala (Recommended - Easiest)

✅ Why This is Best for Mac:

✓ Works on all macOS versions (Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey)
✓ No software installation needed
✓ Completely free with unlimited usage
✓ Files processed locally on your Mac
✓ Visual page selection
✓ Split into individual pages or custom ranges

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open Browser: Launch Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
Visit PdfVala: Go to PdfVala Split PDF
Upload PDF: Drag and drop your PDF file
Select Pages: Choose pages to extract
Split: Click "Split PDF"
Download: Save individual PDF files to your Mac

Method 2: Mac Preview App

Preview can split PDFs but requires manual work:

Open PDF in Preview
View → Thumbnails
Select pages to extract
File → Print Selected Pages
Save as PDF

Mac-Specific Tips

Keyboard Shortcuts

Cmd + A: Select all pages
Cmd + Click: Select multiple pages
Shift + Click: Select range of pages

Common Use Cases on Mac

Extract specific pages from large documents
Divide scanned documents into separate files
Split ebooks into chapters
Separate contract sections
Extract individual invoices from batch

FAQ for Mac Users

Can Mac Preview split PDFs?

Yes, but it's more complex than PdfVala and requires multiple steps for each split.

Will split PDFs work on Windows?

Yes! Split PDFs work on all platforms.

Is PdfVala compatible with Apple Silicon?

Yes! Works on M1, M2, M3, and Intel Macs.

Split PDFs on Mac Now

Divide PDF files into separate pages on Mac. Free and secure.

Split PDF on Mac →

Conclusion

While Mac's Preview can split PDFs, PdfVala offers a faster, easier solution with no installation required.