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How to combine PDF files on Mac

Merge pages or entire PDFs with PDF Expert, the go-to PDF editor for Mac, recommended by Apple.

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How to combine PDF files on Mac

Your guide to PDF merging on Mac

If you work with documents, you frequently need to combine multiple PDFs into one on your Mac. You may want to merge several reports in a single PDF to share with clients or gather statistical info from multiple sources in one PDF for easy reference. Whatever the case, PDF merging on Mac is pretty straightforward if you have the right app.

Trusted by 30 million people and awarded by Apple, PDF Expert is the go-to PDF app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Unlike online PDF editors, PDF Expert is safe and private as editing happens on your device and nobody has access to your files.

Get PDF Expert for free and quickly combine two PDFs on your Mac!


How to combine multiple PDFs into one on Mac

Here’s the quickest way to merge multiple PDFs on your Mac:

  1. Launch PDF Expert and click File at the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Select Merge Files.

  1. Choose two or more PDFs you’d like to combine and press Merge.

Your file is ready!

How to combine two PDFs on Mac

If you need to merge just two PDF files, you can use this method:

  1. Open one of the files you wish to merge in PDF Expert.
  2. Click on the Thumbnails button on the toolbar at the top left of the screen.

  1. Select Append file on the top toolbar.

  1. Pick the desired PDF file and click Add.

How to combine PDF pages

Sometimes you may need to combine only specific pages from a document rather than the entire PDF files. Here’s how to do it in PDF Expert:

  1. Launch PDF Expert and open your file.
  2. Tap the View settings button at the top left and select the Split View mode.

  1. Open the second file in Split View, so you can see both PDFs side-by-side.
  2. Click on the Thumbnails icon at the top left.
  3. Now, you can just drag & drop pages from one PDF to another. It’s as easy as that!

How to reorder, rotate, and delete pages

Once you’ve combined several PDF files, you can easily reorder pages the way you wish. Here’s how:

  1. Open your PDF in PDF Expert.
  2. Click on the Thumbnails icon at the top left to see the small previews of all pages.
  3. Here’s how you can edit them:
    • Reorder pages with drag & drop.
    • To rotate a page, select the desired thumbnail, and click Rotate on the toolbar.
    • To delete one or several pages, select them and click Delete (or press the backspace button).
    • To copy or paste pages, pick the needed thumbnails, and select Copy or Paste on the toolbar. You can also press Cmd + C or Cmd + V.
    • Extract one or more selected pages to save them as a separate file. For this, pick the pages, click Extract and select where to save the new PDF.
    • To share a specific page via Mail, Airdrop, etc, pick the page and click Share.


How to flatten PDFs before combining them

If you’d like to merge a couple of PDF forms you’ve just filled out, you need to flatten them first. This makes your form non-interactive, so nobody can change the data you entered in the form fields.

To flatten your form in PDF Expert, click File > Save as Flatten. You’ll get a flattened copy of your form and will be able to merge it with other files using one of the methods we described above.

How to download or share a PDF file

Once you've successfully merged PDF files on your Mac using PDF Expert, you might want to share the final document or save it for offline access. Here’s how you can do it:

Save your PDF locally:

  • Click File at the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select Save or Save As... to download the PDF to your desired location on your Mac.

Share your PDF:

  • To instantly share your merged PDF file, click File > Share at the top left corner of the screen. Alternatively, click the Export button at the top right corner of the toolbar.
  • Choose how you'd like to share the PDF. Options include Mail, AirDrop, Messages, or other installed apps that support sharing.

How to choose the best PDF editor for merging and organizing PDFs

Selecting the right PDF editor is crucial when you need to organize and merge PDF files efficiently. Here’s how to choose the best PDF editor:

  1. Ensure the PDF editor is compatible with your devices. Good software will be cross-compatible with Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices.
  2. Look for PDF editing features. Your editor should be able to edit text and images; split, rotate, delete, and merge PDF files, as well as reorder pages and convert files to and from different formats.
  3. Choose a PDF editor that prioritizes your privacy and security, especially if you handle sensitive information. Check if the editing process allows password-protecting or redacting PDF files.
  4. Look at what other users are saying about the PDF editor. High ratings and positive reviews can be a good indicator of reliability and user satisfaction.
  5. Consider whether the editor offers free features or a free trial for you to try the features you will use often. 

PDF Expert is the go-to PDF editor for merging and organizing PDFs as it ticks all the right boxes. With PDF Expert, users can merge PDF files, reorder pages, and customize documents in a matter of seconds, gaining control over their documents. 


PDF merging on Mac is a breeze with PDF Expert. Besides helping you combine PDF files on Mac, PDF Expert can help you with any PDF task. Edit PDF text and images, sign documents, compress PDFs, and more.

Download PDF Expert for free, and let’s merge some files!