This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

PDF "Open with" Preference Not Working

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by laeupple

laeupple
laeupple
more options

When Firefox opens a PDF it diplays the popup menu asking how to open the doc. The "Do this automatically..." box is checked, however EVERY time a PDF is opened the same popup displays as if that box wasn't check (and shows that it's checked each time it pops up).

Additionally, when checking the Applications setting, it shows that PDFs should open with macOS default application (which is Adobe Acrobat).

It is SO annoying getting the same popup with every opened PDF. Please help!

When Firefox opens a PDF it diplays the popup menu asking how to open the doc. The "Do this automatically..." box is checked, however EVERY time a PDF is opened the same popup displays as if that box wasn't check (and shows that it's checked each time it pops up). Additionally, when checking the Applications setting, it shows that PDFs should open with macOS default application (which is Adobe Acrobat). It is SO annoying getting the same popup with every opened PDF. Please help!
Attached screenshots

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Hi laeupple, just to clarify, your browser identified itself as running on Windows 10, your screenshots are from a Mac, but the question was posted under iOS (iPhone/iPad). The problem is on Mac?

When sending a download, sites set multiple HTTP headers. Sites can set two of these to trigger the download dialog, bypassing Firefox's automatic handling of downloads:

(1) Content-Disposition

If a server sends a Content-Disposition header set to attachment, which bypasses viewing in a tab, Firefox will always show the download dialog.

(2) Content-Type

The setting on the Options/Preferences page is keyed to the content type application/pdf, not the file name/extension. If the server sends a different content type, Firefox won't use the PDF instructions.

If you would consider using an add-on to address these issues, I have one here:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/content-type-fixer/

When using a site that has this issue, click the Zzzz button to wake up the extension, then click the button again and select the "Follow my settings (inline)" option:

<center></center>
laeupple
laeupple Question owner
more options

Hi jscher2000,

Yes, the issue is on my Mac. I must have rushed and selected the wrong tag/board. If I can update that plz let me know.

Also, you are correct the browser identifies as Windows 10. My company has an internal web app, unrelated to this PDF issue completely, that wasn't designed to run on Mac. I have to have the browser set that way in order to access it.

Thanks for the info! I'll try your add-on.