Cannot Hide the Locations Toolbar in Adobe Acrobat for iPad: Explained
Question details
The user is unable to hide the Locations toolbar in the Files tab of Adobe Acrobat for iPad, resulting in reduced screen space for viewing document listings.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Browsing and managing PDF files within the iPad application's file manager.
- Observed behavior
- The Locations toolbar remains permanently visible, and the previously available option to expand or hide it has disappeared following a recent app update.
Ensure you are running the latest version of Adobe Acrobat on your iPad, as interface designs and expected app behaviors frequently change with new software releases.
Understand the Intended Behavior and Submit Feature Feedback
The persistent toolbar is a deliberate design change by Adobe, but users can request the return of the hide functionality through official feedback channels.
After a recent update, Adobe intentionally removed the option to expand or hide the Locations toolbar in the Files tab. Because this persistent toolbar is the intended behavior of the current app version and not a technical glitch, there is no immediate toggle to turn it off.
To encourage the developers to restore a full-screen or collapsible file view, users are advised to submit direct feedback.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Adobe development team feedback page provided by their support network (https://adobe.ly/42VBTJd).
Provide details on how the persistent Locations toolbar reduces available screen space for PDF listings, causes fewer files to display per row, and forces excessive scrolling on the iPad screen.
Formally request the return of the 'expand/hide' option for the Locations toolbar so the development team can consider it for future updates.

Enjoy a Cleaner PDF Reading Experience with WPS Office
If persistent toolbars and interface changes in Adobe Acrobat restrict your document view, WPS Office provides a streamlined, user-friendly alternative. It offers an uncluttered mobile interface that maximizes screen space for your PDFs, alongside powerful, free editing tools.
- 1. Download the App: Install WPS Office for free from the App Store onto your iPad.
- 2. Access Your Documents: Open WPS Office and navigate to the 'PDF' tab to view your local and cloud documents in a clean, spacious file list.
- 3. Read in Full Screen: Tap on any PDF file to open it, and easily toggle into a distraction-free, full-screen reading mode.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I downgrade Adobe Acrobat to an older version on my iPad to get the hide option back?
No, Apple's App Store does not natively support downgrading applications to previous versions. You are required to use the current version provided by Adobe unless you have an older IPA file and use third-party sideloading tools, which is not recommended for security reasons.
Why did Adobe remove the option to hide the Locations toolbar?
Software developers regularly update interfaces to streamline navigation or highlight specific cloud features. This often results in previously collapsable menus becoming permanent fixtures to encourage usage of integrated services.
Is there any way to view my PDF documents without toolbars blocking the screen?
While the file management screen in Acrobat now has a persistent toolbar, opening an actual PDF document still allows you to tap the center of the screen to hide the reading toolbars. For managing files without clutter, consider using an alternative app like WPS Office.




