How to Split PDF on Mac with Safari (2026 Guide)
Step-by-step guide to splitting PDF files on Mac using Safari. Free, secure, and leverages macOS built-in tools plus browser-based solutions.
Mac + Safari
Native macOS browser with powerful PDF features
Need to split a PDF on your Mac using Safari? Mac users have a unique advantage: macOS includes powerful PDF tools built-in to Preview. However, for more advanced features, browser-based tools like PDF Wonder Kit offer even more flexibility.
Safari is Apple's native browser and works seamlessly with macOS PDF features. Let's explore both the built-in Mac tools and the browser-based solution for splitting PDFs.
Method 1: macOS Preview (Free & Built-in)
Every Mac comes with Preview, a powerful PDF tool that many users overlook:
Steps to Split PDFs with Mac Preview:
- Open your PDF in Preview (default app on Mac, or right-click → Open With → Preview)
- View thumbnails by clicking View → Thumbnails in the menu bar (or
⌘⌥2) - Select pages in the thumbnail sidebar:
- Click to select individual pages, or
⌘+clickfor multiple Shift+clickto select a range
- Click to select individual pages, or
- Drag selected pages to your Desktop or a folder to create a new PDF with just those pages
- Or File → Export as PDF to save the selected pages
✅Advantages of Mac Preview
- Completely free and built into macOS
- Works offline
- Fast and responsive
- Direct drag-and-drop splitting
- No file size limits
⚠️Limitations of Mac Preview
- Must manually select and export each range
- No batch processing for multiple splits
- Can be tedious for complex splitting tasks
- No ZIP download for multiple files
Method 2: PDF Wonder Kit in Safari (Recommended for Advanced Splitting)
For more powerful features—especially when you need to create multiple split ranges at once—PDF Wonder Kit works perfectly in Safari on your Mac.
🔒Why Use PDF Wonder Kit in Safari on Mac?
- 100% Private - Files never leave your Mac
- Multiple Page Ranges - Create many splits at once
- Live Preview - See all pages before splitting
- No Installation - Works directly in Safari
- Batch Export - Download all splits as a ZIP
- Cross-Device - Works on your iPhone and iPad too
How to Split PDFs in Safari with PDF Wonder Kit:
- Open Safari on your Mac and navigate to PDF Wonder Kit.com
- Upload your PDF by dragging and dropping it, or clicking to browse from Finder
- Preview all pages with beautiful thumbnails
- Add page ranges - As many as you need (e.g., 1-5, 10-15, 20-25)
- Click "Start Slicing" to process everything at once
- Download individual PDFs or a ZIP file (Premium)
All processing happens locally in Safari on your Mac. Your PDF is never uploaded to any server—it stays private and secure on your device.
Mac + Safari Pro Tips
Keyboard Shortcuts
⌘O- Open file dialog⌘S- Save/download⌘⌥2- Show thumbnails in PreviewSpace- Quick Look any PDF file
File Management
- Downloads go to ~/Downloads by default
- Quick Look PDFs with Space bar before opening
- Drag PDFs from Finder directly into Safari
- Use Spotlight (
⌘Space) to quickly find PDFs
Comparison: Mac Preview vs PDF Wonder Kit in Safari
| Feature | Mac Preview | PDF Wonder Kit in Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple page ranges | ⚠️ Manual process | ✅ Unlimited ranges |
| Page preview | ✅ Sidebar thumbnails | ✅ Full page viewer |
| Batch processing | ❌ One range at a time | ✅ Process all at once |
| ZIP download | ❌ Not available | ✅ Premium feature |
| Works offline | ✅ Completely offline | ⚠️ Needs initial page load |
| Cost | Free | Free (Premium: $2/month) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PDF Wonder Kit work on iPhone and iPad with Safari?
Yes! PDF Wonder Kit works perfectly in Safari on iOS and iPadOS. You can split PDFs on your iPhone or iPad just as easily as on your Mac.
Should I use Preview or PDF Wonder Kit on my Mac?
For simple, one-off splits, Preview is fantastic and completely free. For complex tasks with multiple page ranges, batch processing, or when you need a ZIP download, PDF Wonder Kit in Safari is the better choice.
Is Safari on Mac better than Chrome for splitting PDFs?
Safari is optimized for macOS and tends to be more energy-efficient, which means better battery life on MacBooks. Both Safari and Chrome work identically with PDF Wonder Kit, so choose whichever you prefer.
Ready to Get Started?
No software to install. No complicated steps. Just open your file, select what you need, and download. 100% free and private — your files never leave your device.