Cannot view PDFs in Safari 3.0.x: workaround

A number of users have reported an issue where they are unable to properly view PDFs in Safari, seeing only a gray or black window. In many cases, the problem can be worked around by using a third-party PDF plug-in, such as: PDF Browser Plugin 2.2.3

Unfortunately, if you are on an Intel-based Mac and would like to use PDF Browser plug-in (a PowerPC-only plug-in), you will have to locate Safari application icon, click it, then perform a "Get Info" command (either from the "File" menu or via the Command-I keyboard combination) and select the option to "Open using Rosetta." This will significantly degrade speed, but allow the two components to work properly together, both in PowerPC-mode.

You can also control how Safari displays PDFs via a variety of methods, as outlined in this article. For instance, if you want to toggle whether or not Adobe Reader opens PDFs, launch the app (located in /Applications by default) and open its preferences (from the Adobe Reader menu). Go to the "Internet" section, and look at the options. If you would like Adobe Reader to launch when you access a PDF in your Web browser, place a checkmark next to "Display PDF in browser using:" and select Adobe Reader from the list.

If you would like to use the Adobe Preview plug-in, uncheck the "Display PDF in browser using:" option, and place a check next to "Allow fast web view."

If you would like to view PDFs using Safari's built-in mechanism, simply remove the aforementioned Adobe plug-in, and turn off the aforementioned options in Adobe Reader ("Display PDF in browser using:" and "Allow fast web view.") then quit and re-launch Safari.

Some of the aforementioned processes are automated by Safari-Display or Download PDF files 1.2.0, a script that will allow you to choose whether Safari will display or download PDF's. Use of this tool requires users of Adobe Reader 7.0.8 users to remove the "AdobePDFViewer.plugin" located here - /Library/Internet Plug-Ins and uncheck Internet->"Display PDF in browser when using" in Adobe Reader 7.0.8's preferences.

MacFixIt reader Cliffor Eng writes:

"It was noted earlier that PDFs open as gray or black windows with Safari 3.04. I have Tiger 10.4.11 (PM g5 dual) and had this problem after installing Security Update 2007-009 (update 009-1.1 didn't resolve problem). [...] PDF Browser Plugin 2.2.3 worked for me and is even better than the built in plugin with Safari 2.  A great solution to a crippling problem."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Resources