OneDrive File Issues

How to Open OneDrive PDFs with Adobe Acrobat on Android

Emma Brown Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to open and view PDF files stored in OneDrive using Adobe Acrobat Reader on an Android device, rather than relying on the device's default PDF viewer.

How to Open OneDrive PDFs with Adobe Acrobat on Android

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Accessing, reading, and annotating PDF documents from the OneDrive mobile application.
Observed behavior: OneDrive automatically opens PDFs using the Android system's default viewer, preventing the user from utilizing Adobe Acrobat's specific features for viewing and editing.

Before you start

Verify that you have installed Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Google Play Store on your Android device and that you are signed into your Microsoft account on the OneDrive app.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Android Default App Settings

Use this method if your Android device automatically opens PDFs in another app without prompting you to choose Adobe Acrobat.

Android operating systems use default app settings to determine which application handles specific file types like PDFs. If another app (such as Google Drive PDF Viewer or a system browser) is set as the default, OneDrive will bypass Adobe Acrobat.

Open Device Settings

Navigate to your Android device's main Settings menu and tap on 'Apps' or 'Apps & notifications' depending on your Android version.

Find the Current Default App

Locate and tap on the application that is currently opening your PDF files automatically. You may need to tap 'See all apps' to find it.

Clear Defaults

Scroll down to find 'Open by default' or 'Set as default'. Tap on it, then press the 'Clear defaults' button to remove this app's automatic permission.

Select Adobe Acrobat in OneDrive

Return to the OneDrive app and tap on your PDF file. When the Android system prompts you to choose an application, select 'Adobe Acrobat' and tap 'Always' to set it as your new default.

System Variations: The exact names of the menus in Android Settings may vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi).

Solution 2

Use OneDrive's 'Open in Another App' Option

This is a quick workaround for opening a specific PDF in Adobe Acrobat without changing your device's global default settings.

Solution 3

Open OneDrive Files Directly from Adobe Acrobat

Use this method to browse and open your OneDrive files from within the Adobe Acrobat app directly, bypassing the OneDrive app entirely.

Seamlessly Edit PDFs on Mobile

Use WPS Office to Read and Annotate OneDrive PDFs

WPS Office features a robust built-in PDF reader and editor that integrates perfectly with cloud storage. You can easily connect your OneDrive account directly to WPS Office to view, edit, and automatically sync PDF files natively on your Android device without relying on third-party PDF viewers.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Connect Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office, tap on the 'Open' tab, select 'Add Cloud Storage', and choose 'OneDrive'.
3. Log In and Authorize: Log in to your Microsoft account to grant WPS Office secure access to your OneDrive files.
4. Open and Edit PDFs: Browse your OneDrive folders directly within WPS Office. Tap any PDF to open it, use the built-in annotation tools, and save your changes. Edits are synced to OneDrive automatically.

Native support for viewing, annotating, and editing PDF documentsDirect integration with OneDrive, Google Drive, and DropboxFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPointLightweight, all-in-one app that saves storage space on your Android device

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my Adobe Acrobat edits syncing back to OneDrive?

When you open a PDF from the OneDrive app using 'Open in another app' on Android, a temporary local copy is sometimes created. To ensure changes are saved, you may need to use the 'Save a copy' feature in Adobe Acrobat and manually upload it back to OneDrive, or connect your OneDrive account directly inside the Adobe Acrobat app to enable seamless syncing.

Can I change the default PDF viewer directly inside the OneDrive app settings?

No, the OneDrive mobile application does not have an internal setting for selecting a specific PDF viewer. It relies entirely on your Android operating system's default file handlers. You must clear the default app settings through your Android device's main Settings menu.

Does changing my default PDF viewer on Windows affect my Android device?

No. Default application settings do not sync across different operating systems. Setting Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF reader in Windows 10 or 11 has no effect on how the OneDrive app handles PDF files on your Android device.

Document & File Issues