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How to Merge PDFs on a Mac with Preview
Preview (built in)
Open the first PDF in Preview, choose View → Thumbnails, then drag other PDFs from Finder into the sidebar where you want them. File → Export as PDF saves the combined file. To insert just one page, drag that page thumbnail between windows.
Finder Quick Action
Select the PDFs in Finder, right-click → Quick Actions → Create PDF. Files are merged in name order, so rename them 01-, 02- first.
In any browser
PDFPocket Merge PDF works in Safari, Chrome or Firefox with drag-and-drop ordering and runs locally.
Common problem
If Preview drops form fields or bookmarks, merge in the browser instead and keep the originals.
FAQ
Does Preview reduce quality?
No – merging copies pages unchanged. “Reduce File Size” in Export is a separate filter that does lower image quality.
Can I merge password-protected PDFs?
Unlock them first (you need the password); encrypted files cannot be combined.
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