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How to Fix PDF Attachment QR Code Error on Android
Question details
Users are unable to open PDF email attachments because the device mistakenly tries to open them as boarding passes via a Wallet application.
- Product
- Android, Gmail, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Opening PDF attachments directly from email applications such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail on an Android smartphone.
- Observed behavior
- The device launches Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet instead of a PDF reader, resulting in a 'Could not read QR code' error. Other file types, like Word documents, open normally.
Before proceeding, ensure you have a dedicated PDF reader installed on your Android device and check if any updates are pending for your email and wallet applications in the Google Play Store.
Clear Default App Associations and Reinstall Wallet
Reset your Android default app settings to prevent Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet from intercepting PDF files.
This error usually occurs when the Android system mistakenly associates the PDF file extension with digital boarding passes or tickets. Clearing the default settings forces the device to ask you which app to use next time you open a PDF.
Navigate to your Android device's Settings menu and select 'Apps' or 'App Management'.
Scroll through your installed applications and tap on Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet, depending on which app is causing the error.
Tap on 'Open by default' (or 'Defaults') and select 'Clear defaults' to remove the incorrect PDF association.
If clearing defaults does not resolve the issue, uninstall the Wallet application entirely, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
Download and Open via a Dedicated PDF Reader
Bypass the email app's preview function by saving the file locally and opening it directly with a reliable PDF reader.
Open and Manage PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating app association errors by using WPS Office as your default PDF reader. It provides a stable, fast, and feature-rich environment to open email attachments without triggering wallet app conflicts.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- 2. Download the Attachment: Open your email app (like Gmail or Yahoo) and download the problematic PDF attachment to your phone.
- 3. Select WPS Office: Tap the downloaded file. When prompted with the 'Open with' menu, select 'WPS Office'.
- 4. Set as Default: Tap 'Always' to ensure all future PDF attachments open correctly in WPS Office instead of your Wallet app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my phone try to open PDFs in Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet?
This happens when the Android operating system mistakenly associates the PDF file extension with digital boarding passes or event tickets, which are natively supported by Wallet applications. A software glitch or an accidental 'Always open with' selection usually triggers this.
Will uninstalling Google Wallet delete my saved credit cards?
No. Your payment information, credit cards, and digital passes are securely backed up to your Google or Samsung account. Reinstalling the app and signing back in will restore your Wallet data immediately.
How do I change the default PDF viewer on my Android phone?
Go to Settings > Apps. Find the application that is currently opening your PDFs (such as Google Wallet), tap 'Open by default', and select 'Clear defaults'. The next time you tap a PDF file, your phone will prompt you to choose a new default app.
