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How to Install DocFila on Mac — Free Desktop App in 30 Seconds

By DocFila Team · April 22, 2026 · 5 min read

DocFila isn't just a phone app — it installs as a full native-feeling desktop app on macOS in about 30 seconds. No App Store, no admin password, no third-party installer. Once installed, DocFila lives in your Dock and Applications folder, opens PDFs by double-click, and works offline. Here's exactly how to set it up.

What you'll need

• A Mac running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later — Apple Silicon or Intel both work.
• One of: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, Arc, or Safari 17+ (macOS Sonoma 14 and up).
• About 30 seconds. No DocFila account is required to install.

Method 1: Install with Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Arc

1. Open docfila.web.app in your browser.
2. Look at the right side of the address bar. You'll see a small monitor icon with a down arrow — that's the install button.
3. Click it. A confirmation popup appears.
4. Click Install. DocFila launches in its own window with no browser chrome.
5. The app is now in your Applications folder, your Dock, and Spotlight (try ⌘Space and type "DocFila").

If you don't see the install icon, click the three-dot menu in your browser's top-right corner and look for Install DocFila…, Apps → Install this site as an app, or Save and Share → Install Page as App… (Safari).

Method 2: Install with Safari 17+ (macOS Sonoma)

1. Open DocFila in Safari at docfila.web.app.
2. From the menu bar, choose File → Add to Dock….
3. Confirm the name (DocFila) and icon, then click Add.
4. DocFila is now a standalone app pinned to your Dock with its own icon.

Safari's web app support landed in macOS Sonoma. On older macOS versions, use Chrome, Edge, Arc, or Brave instead.

Set DocFila as the default PDF viewer

1. In Finder, find any PDF file.
2. Right-click → Get Info.
3. Under Open with, choose DocFila.
4. Click Change All… to apply to every PDF on your Mac.

You can do the same for .docx, .jpg, .png, and .heic files. Now double-clicking any document opens it in DocFila instantly — no upload, no drag-and-drop required.

Pin to Dock, add keyboard shortcut, work offline

Right-click DocFila in the Dock and choose Options → Keep in Dock so it stays there permanently. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts to set ⌘⇧D (or any combo) to launch DocFila instantly. The app caches itself the first time you open it, so you can scan, edit, and organise documents on a flight or in a tunnel — sync resumes when you reconnect. Read more on the DocFila Desktop overview.

Uninstalling DocFila

Open Applications, drag DocFila to the Trash, then empty the Trash. Your account and synced documents stay safe in the cloud — reinstall any time and sign in to restore everything.

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