Download a PDF Instead of Opening It in Google Chrome (2025)

In this tutorial, we will show you exactly how to download a PDF instead of opening it in Google Chrome in just a few simple steps. Read on to learn more.

google chrome download a pdf instead of opening

Download PDFs Instead of Opening Them in Google Chrome

Follow the steps below to download a PDF instead of opening it on Google Chrome.

1. Open Google Chrome Settings

To change how Chrome handles PDFs, you need to start by accessing the browser’s settings. Click on the three-dot menu and select “Settings” from the list.

google chrome downloading a pdf instead of opening

2. Go to Privacy and Security in Settings

Click on “Privacy and security” once you’re in the settings. This section covers how Chrome handles various types of content, including PDFs.

downloading instead of opening pdf google chrome

3. Access Site Settings under Privacy and Security

In “Privacy and security,” find and click on “Site Settings.” This is where Chrome controls the behavior of different types of files and content.

4. Find Additional Content Settings

Scroll down in Site Settings and click on “Additional content settings.” This section includes the controls for specific file types, including PDFs.

5. Locate the PDF Documents Option

Under “Additional content settings,” you will find the “PDF documents” option. This setting allows you to control whether Chrome opens PDFs automatically or downloads them.

6. Change the Setting to Download PDFs Instead of Opening

Select “Download PDFs” to ensure Chrome saves the file directly to your computer instead of opening it in the browser.

7. Close Settings and Test the PDF Download

Close the settings tab and try downloading a PDF to verify that it now saves directly to your device. Let’s search for a sample PDF file and click on it.

A pop-up will appear from the download icon. Your downloaded PDF will be found here.

We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to download PDFs instead of opening them in Google Chrome. If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check our articles on how to open PDFs in Chrome without downloading and how to make links open in Chrome instead of Microsoft Edge.