Home > PDF Tips > Delete Pages from PDF on Mac: 4 Free Methods

Delete Pages from PDF on Mac: 4 Free Methods

by Rachel Jones 2026-06-29

PDF files often contain pages you no longer need. You may want to remove blank pages, delete confidential information, share only specific sections, or reduce file size before sending a document. Many Mac users assume they need Adobe Acrobat for this task, but that's not true.

Apple includes a built-in tool called Preview that can handle basic PDF page deletion for free. There are also several free desktop and online alternatives available when Preview cannot do the job. In this guide, you'll learn how to delete pages from PDF Mac using four free methods. We'll also cover how to extract pages, remove PDF pages on iPhone, and fix common issues that users face.

Quick Tip:

Want a fast, free offline solution with full editing features? Skip straight to Part 3 to try PDNob PDF Editor no upload required, no file size limits.

Part 1. How to Delete Pages from PDF on Mac for Free

Part 2. How to Delete Pages from PDF on Mac Using Preview

Part 3. How to Delete Pages from PDF without Acrobat

Part 4. How to Extract Pages from PDF on Mac

Part 5. How to Delete PDF Pages on iPhone

Part 6. Tips to Avoid Common Issues When Deleting PDF Pages

Part 7. Conclusion

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Part 1. How to Delete Pages from PDF on Mac for Free

Mac users have several free options available when they need to remove pages from a PDF. The best method depends on the type of PDF and the features you need. For simple documents, Preview works well. For locked PDFs, large files, or additional editing needs, a dedicated PDF editor may be a better choice.

Preview Is Built-In and Free

Preview comes pre-installed on every Mac. You don't need to download anything or create an account. It allows you to view, organize, and delete PDF pages in just a few clicks. Many users searching for how to delete pages from PDF Mac can complete the task entirely with Preview.

When Preview Is Not Enough

Preview works for basic editing, but it has limitations. You may run into problems if:

• The PDF is password protected
• The file contains complex forms
• You need batch page deletion
• You want to edit text and images
• You need advanced page management

In these situations, a dedicated PDF editor can save time.

Free vs. Paid: Which Should You Use?

Please swipe to view

For most people, Preview or a free offline editor is enough.

Part 2. How to Delete Pages from PDF on Mac Using Preview

Preview is Apple's default PDF viewer. Since it comes with macOS, it's usually the first method people try when learning how to delete pages from PDF Mac. The process takes only a few seconds.

How to Delete a Single Page in Preview

• Open the PDF file in Preview and click View > Thumbnails to display all pages in the sidebar for easy navigation.

• Browse through the page thumbnails and click the page you want to remove from the document.



• Press the Delete key on your keyboard, or right-click the selected page and choose Delete.

• Review the updated PDF and save the file to keep the changes permanently.

This is the quickest way to delete one page from a PDF.

2.2 How to Delete Multiple Pages in Preview

• Open the PDF in Preview and select View > Thumbnails to display all pages in the sidebar.

• Hold down the Command key and click each page thumbnail you want to remove from the document.

• After selecting all unwanted pages, press the Delete key to remove them at once.



• Check the remaining pages to confirm the changes, then save the PDF to keep the updated version.

Many users searching for how to delete pages in Preview on Mac use this method because it handles multiple pages at once.

2.3 Pros and Cons of Using Preview to Delete PDF Pages

Note:

If your PDF is password-protected or has editing restrictions, Preview won't be able to delete pages. In that case, try PDNob PDF Editor which handles locked PDFs more effectively.

Part 3. How to Delete Pages from PDF without Acrobat

Many users think Adobe Acrobat is required for PDF editing. In reality, several free alternatives can remove PDF pages just as easily. If you're searching for how to delete pages from PDF without Acrobat, the following tools can help.

3.1 Method 1. PDNob PDF Editor (Offline)

If Preview cannot delete pages from your PDF, PDNob PDF Editor offers a simple alternative. This offline PDF editor works on both Mac and Windows and provides more control over page management. Besides deleting pages, it can extract pages, edit text, convert PDFs, add annotations, and compress files. Since it works locally on your device, you don't need to upload documents to external servers, making it a good choice for private files.

How to Delete Pages from PDF Using PDNob PDF Editor

• Download and install PDNob PDF Editor, then launch the software and open the PDF file you want to edit.



• Click the Page tab from the toolbar to access page management options and view all pages in the document.



• Select the page or pages you want to remove, then click the Delete button to remove them from the PDF.



• Review the updated document and save the PDF to keep the changes permanently.

This method works well when Preview cannot edit the document.

3.2 Method 2. Smallpdf (Online)

Smallpdf is a web-based PDF editor that lets you delete PDF pages directly from your browser. You don't need to install any software, making it a convenient option for quick edits. However, since your file is uploaded online, it's best suited for PDFs that don't contain sensitive or confidential information.

Steps to Delete PDF Pages with Smallpdf

• Visit the Smallpdf PDF editor page and choose the PDF page deletion tool.



• Upload your PDF file and wait for Smallpdf to process the document.

• Open the page organizer, then select the pages you want to remove from the PDF.



• Delete the selected pages, apply the changes, and download the updated PDF file to your device.

Keep in mind that this method requires uploading files to external servers.

3.3 Method 3. PDFgear (Free Desktop App)

PDFgear is a free desktop PDF editor that allows Mac users to manage PDF pages without paying for a subscription. It includes basic editing features such as page deletion, page reordering, PDF conversion, and annotation tools. If you prefer working offline, PDFgear provides a simple way to remove unwanted pages from your PDF files.

Steps to Delete PDF Pages with PDFgear

• Download and install PDFgear on your Mac, then launch the application and open your PDF document.

• Go to the Page Management section to display all pages and available page editing options.



• Select the page or multiple pages you want to remove, then click the Delete option.



• Review the updated PDF and save the file to keep your changes.

3.4 Why You Don't Need Adobe Acrobat for This Task

Adobe Acrobat Pro currently costs about $22.99 per month. For simple page deletion, most users don't need a paid subscription. Preview, PDNob PDF Editor, and PDFgear can perform the same task without recurring costs.

If your goal is simply how to delete pages from PDF without Acrobat, these free tools are usually enough.

Note:

Online tools require uploading your PDF to external servers. If your document contains sensitive or confidential information, always use an offline tool like PDNob to keep your files private.

Part 4. How to Extract Pages from PDF on Mac

Sometimes you don't want to remove pages permanently. Instead, you may want to save selected pages into a new PDF. That's where extraction becomes useful.

4.1 What's the Difference Between Deleting and Extracting?

Deleting pages removes them from the original PDF. Extracting pages creates a new PDF containing only the selected pages. For example, if a 100-page report contains only 10 pages you need, extracting allows you to create a separate file while keeping the original document unchanged. Many people searching for how to extract pages from PDF Mac actually need extraction rather than deletion.

4.2 How to Extract Pages Using PDNob PDF Editor

• Open the PDF.

• Select the Page tab.

• Choose Extract.

• Select the pages.

• Save as a new PDF.

4.3 How to Extract Pages Using Preview

Preview also offers a simple extraction method.

• Open PDF in Preview.

• Show Thumbnails.

• Select the desired page.

• Drag the page thumbnail onto your desktop.

• Preview creates a new PDF automatically.

Tips:

PDNob lets you extract pages as a single file or as separate files per page a feature Preview does not support.

Part 5. How to Delete PDF Pages on iPhone

There may be times when you need to edit PDFs directly from your iPhone. While mobile editing is more limited than desktop editing, you still have a couple of options.

Method 1 --- Using the Files App on iPhone

If you're wondering how to delete pages in Preview on iPhone, Apple doesn't offer the same Preview app found on Mac. Instead, you'll use the Files app.

Steps Steps

• Open Files.

• Locate the PDF.

• Open the document.

• Tap the page thumbnail view.

• Select the page.

• Delete the page.

• Save the file.

Method 2 --- Using PDNob on iPhone

If you need more control than the built-in Files app offers, PDNob can help manage PDF pages directly from your iPhone. It provides additional editing features and makes it easier to delete, organize, and save PDF documents while you're away from your Mac.

• Open PDNob.
• Import your PDF.
• Select unwanted pages.
• Tap Delete.
• Save the document.

Note:

Mobile PDF editing is more limited than desktop. For full control over page management, we recommend using PDNob PDF Editor on your Mac.

Part 6. Tips to Avoid Common Issues When Deleting PDF Pages

Deleting PDF pages is usually simple, but a few common problems can appear.

Can't Delete Pages? PDF Is Password Protected

Protected PDFs often prevent editing. You'll need the correct password or a PDF editor that supports locked documents.

Preview Deleted the Wrong Pages?

If you accidentally remove the wrong pages:

• Press Command + Z immediately
• Reopen the original PDF if it hasn't been saved
• Keep a backup copy before editing

File Size Didn't Reduce After Deleting Pages?

PDF files sometimes retain hidden data even after page deletion.

To reduce file size further:

• Compress the PDF after editing
• Remove embedded images if possible
• Save an optimized copy

Annotations or Bookmarks Disappeared After Deletion

Some PDF tools may alter bookmarks or annotations during page editing.

Always review the document after making changes, especially if it contains forms or navigation elements.

Tips:

After deleting pages, use PDNob's built-in Compress PDF feature to further reduce file size especially useful before emailing or uploading to portals.

Part 7. Conclusion

Learning how to delete pages from PDF Mac is easier than many people think. If you only need basic page removal, Preview provides a free solution already built into macOS. It works well for simple documents and occasional edits. For locked PDFs, larger files, page extraction, compression, and additional editing features, PDNob PDF Editor offers a more complete offline solution. Online tools like Smallpdf and free desktop apps like PDFgear also provide helpful alternatives when Preview isn't enough. Whether you're cleaning up reports, removing unnecessary pages, or sharing only relevant content, these methods give Mac users several free ways to manage PDF files without paying for Adobe Acrobat.

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