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How to Stop Acrobat Reader from Opening Word and Excel Files on Android
Question details
Users need to prevent Acrobat Reader Mobile from automatically opening Microsoft Word and Excel documents and prompting for a premium upgrade on Android devices.
- Product
- Acrobat Reader Mobile
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Opening Word or Excel email attachments or downloaded files on an Android mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Reader opens Word and Excel files instead of a dedicated Office app, leading to an unwanted Acrobat Premium upgrade prompt.
Ensure you have a dedicated document editing application, such as WPS Office or Microsoft Office, installed on your Android device before changing the default file handler.
Clear Default App Settings for Acrobat Reader
Remove Adobe Acrobat Reader as the default handler for Office files through your Android settings menu.
If Acrobat Reader is hijacking your Word and Excel files, it means Android has designated it as the default app for those specific file extensions. Clearing this default setting will force your device to ask you which app to use the next time you open a document.
Unlock your device and tap the 'Settings' gear icon from your home screen or app drawer.
Scroll down and select 'Apps', 'Apps & notifications', or 'App Management' depending on your Android version and manufacturer.
Find and tap on 'Acrobat Reader' from the list of installed applications. You may need to tap 'See all apps' first.
Tap on 'Open by default' or 'Set as default'. Then, tap the 'Clear defaults' button to revoke its permission to open Office files automatically.
Assign a New Default App for Word and Excel Files
After clearing defaults, set your preferred Office suite to open document files automatically.
Use WPS Office to Open All Word, Excel, and PDF Files
WPS Office is a powerful all-in-one suite for Android. By setting it as your default app, you can seamlessly view and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files in a single lightweight application without annoying upgrade prompts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- 2. Find Your Document: Locate your downloaded Word or Excel file in your file manager or email attachments.
- 3. Select WPS Office: Tap the file, and when the 'Open with' prompt appears, choose WPS Office from the app list.
- 4. Set as Default: Tap 'Always' to ensure WPS Office automatically handles your documents smoothly in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Adobe Acrobat trying to open my Word and Excel files?
This usually happens if you accidentally tapped 'Always' when prompted to choose an app for opening a document, setting Acrobat Reader as the default file handler for those specific Microsoft Office file extensions.
How do I change the default PDF viewer on Android?
Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps (or Manage Apps), find your current PDF viewer, clear its defaults, and then open a PDF file to select your preferred application, such as WPS Office.
Will clearing app defaults delete my files?
No, clearing an app's default settings only removes its automatic permission to open specific file types. Your documents, PDFs, and app data remain completely untouched.
Can I open Word files without installing the Microsoft Word app?
Yes, you can use highly compatible third-party office suites like WPS Office, which natively support .doc and .docx formats directly on your Android device in a single application.
