How to Install a PDF Printer for Mac

A guide to print PDF files on your Mac

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Sam Browning

Last Updated: December 20, 2024 Fact Checked

While Mac computers used to use PDF printers to convert files to PDFs, Apple has long since made changes to their software that do not allow these printers to function. Thankfully, they have implemented another easy way to save something as a PDF. This wikiHow article will teach you how to save a copy of a file as a PDF on Mac.

How to Print a PDF on Mac

Open the file you want to save as a PDF.
Click “File” in the top left of your screen.
Select “Print” at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
Hit the “PDF” button at the bottom left of the pop-up window.
Press “Save as PDF,” then choose a name and location for the file.
Choose “Save” at the bottom right-hand corner of the pop-up window.

Steps

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In spite of their name, PDF printers do not print physical copies of documents. Instead, they are a way to save files as PDFs on your computer, so this method will accomplish the same thing.
It can be found in the top left of your screen.^{[1]
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This button is the last option in the dropdown menu.^{[2]
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You can find this button at the bottom left of the print pop-up window.^{[3]
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A new pop-up window should appear with a variety of options for saving your PDF.^{[4]
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Your PDF file can be named by typing text in the Save As: box. Then, you can select a save location displayed by default or search for a different location using the Search function in the top right.^{[5]
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This blue button is located in the bottom right of the pop-up window. You have now successfully saved your file as a PDF!^{[6]
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