Fix Simplified Handwriting Lines in Acrobat Reader with Apple Pencil
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where handwritten notes become over-simplified or distorted in Acrobat Reader Mobile.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader Mobile
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Writing small text or annotations using the Pen tool and an Apple Pencil on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- Handwriting strokes are automatically simplified or altered immediately after tapping the Done button.
Ensure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and that you have your Apple ID credentials ready to update your applications via the App Store.
Update Adobe Acrobat Reader Mobile to the Latest Version
Updating the application to version 21.10.00 or newer contains the official bug fix for the Apple Pencil handwriting simplification issue.
Adobe addressed the stroke simplification bug in a specific version update. By ensuring your app is running version 21.10.00 or higher, you can prevent small handwriting from being altered when saving your document.
Navigate to your iPad's home screen and tap the App Store icon to launch it.
Tap the Search icon at the bottom right, type 'Adobe Acrobat Reader', and select the app from the results.
If an 'Update' button is visible next to the app, tap it to install the latest version. If the button says 'Open', your application is already up to date.
Open a PDF in the updated Acrobat Reader, use your Apple Pencil to write small text, and tap 'Done' to verify that the strokes remain accurate and are no longer simplified.
Annotate PDFs with Apple Pencil Smoothly in WPS Office
Avoid handwriting simplification issues entirely by using WPS Office's built-in PDF annotation tools, perfectly optimized to capture your exact Apple Pencil strokes.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office app on your iPad and open the PDF document you wish to annotate.
- 2. Access the Annotation Tools: Tap the 'Annotation' tab or select the 'Pen' tool located in the editing menu.
- 3. Write with Apple Pencil: Use your Apple Pencil to write notes naturally on the document; WPS Office will capture the precise pressure and path seamlessly.
- 4. Save Your Annotations: Tap 'Done' or the save icon to preserve your exact strokes without any distortion or auto-simplification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Reader simplify my Apple Pencil handwriting?
Older versions of Acrobat Reader applied aggressive stroke smoothing algorithms to small handwriting, which caused the text to distort when saved. This software bug was officially resolved in version 21.10.00.
Does WPS Office alter my Apple Pencil handwriting when annotating PDFs?
No, WPS Office accurately captures and preserves the exact pressure and strokes from your Apple Pencil, ensuring your notes remain exactly as you wrote them without any unwanted simplification or distortion.
How do I check my current version of Acrobat Reader on iOS?
Open the Acrobat Reader app, tap on your Profile or Settings icon, and scroll to the bottom of the menu to find the application version number. Check to ensure it is 21.10.00 or newer.
