MarkDown Reader

A free, lightweight Markdown viewer for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Open any .md file and read it beautifully rendered — table of contents, search, zoom, print, and PDF export, all sandboxed and private.

macOS & iOS Utility Free
MarkDown Reader app icon

Features

  • Clean rendering of headings, tables, code blocks, and images
  • Interactive checklists: click a checkbox and it saves straight to your file
  • Syntax highlighting for fenced code blocks, fully offline
  • Auto-reload when a document changes on disk, keeping your place
  • Table of contents sidebar for long documents
  • Full-text search with match navigation
  • Zoom, print, and export to PDF
  • Opens .md, .markdown, .mdown, .mkd, and .mkdn files
  • One free download covers Mac, iPhone, and iPad
  • Sandboxed and private: no accounts, no analytics, no data collection

Reading Markdown Should Be Effortless

Markdown files are everywhere — READMEs, notes, documentation — but Apple’s platforms have no built-in way to read them rendered. MarkDown Reader fixes that: double-click a .md file on your Mac, or tap one on your iPhone or iPad, and it opens as a beautifully formatted document. No editor chrome, no distractions, just your content.

Built for Real Documents

Long documents get an auto-generated table of contents sidebar so you can jump straight to any section. Full-text search finds every match with quick navigation between them. Zoom to your comfort, and when you need a copy outside the app, print it or export a polished PDF.

Checklists You Can Actually Check

Markdown task lists aren’t just for reading. Click a checkbox in the rendered document and the change is written straight back to your .md file — byte for byte, with no Save step. Keep a plan, a packing list, or a project tracker in plain Markdown and tick items off as you go.

A Live Preview, Not a Snapshot

Edit a document in your editor while MarkDown Reader has it open and the view refreshes on its own, keeping your scroll position. Fenced code blocks are syntax highlighted — entirely offline, so nothing about your code leaves your machine — and every block has a one-click Copy button.

Private by Design

MarkDown Reader runs in Apple’s App Sandbox and reads only the files you open. No accounts, no analytics, no data collection — your documents never leave your device.

Get It

Get it free on the App Store — one download covers Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Requires macOS 13 or later, or iOS/iPadOS 17 or later.

On the Mac you can also download the notarized DMG straight from GitHub Releases — open it, drag to Applications, done. The full source is on GitHub under the MIT license.

Need Help?

Questions, bug reports, or feature requests — get in touch and we’ll get back to you.

Get MarkDown Reader

Available on the App Store.