PDF Opening Issues

Fix Acrobat Reader Cannot Open OneDrive PDFs on iPad

Amos Gikunda Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open PDF files stored in OneDrive using Adobe Acrobat Reader on an iPad, typically occurring after an iOS system update.

How to Fix Acrobat Reader Not Opening OneDrive PDFs on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: iOS (iPad)
Scenario: Attempting to access and open PDF files stored in OneDrive through the 'Other Locations > OneDrive' menu within the Acrobat Reader iPad app.
Observed behavior: The application fails to load the file and displays the message: 'Could not open the file due to an unknown error. Please try again later.'

Before you start

Before attempting any troubleshooting or reinstalling apps, ensure you have backed up all locally stored PDFs within Acrobat Reader to a secure location like iCloud, as uninstalling the app will permanently delete local files.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Apps and Re-authenticate Adobe Account

Resolves minor authentication glitches and known software bugs caused by outdated app versions or broken session tokens.

System updates can sometimes disrupt the API connection between cloud storage services and local applications. Re-establishing this connection and ensuring all software is patched usually resolves the unknown error.

Update Software

Open the App Store on your iPad, navigate to your account updates, and ensure that both iOS and Acrobat Reader are updated to their latest available versions.

Sign Out of Acrobat Reader

Open Acrobat Reader, tap on your profile icon in the top corner, and select 'Sign Out' to disconnect your Adobe account.

Restart the iPad

Press and hold the power button, then swipe the slider to turn off your iPad. Wait a few seconds, then power it back on.

Sign In and Retry

Launch Acrobat Reader again, sign back into your Adobe account, navigate to 'Other Locations > OneDrive', and attempt to open the PDF file.

Update Apps and Re-authenticate Adobe Account

Avoid Premature Uninstallation: Do not uninstall Acrobat Reader as a first troubleshooting step unless you are absolutely certain no unbacked-up local PDFs are stored in the 'On This iPad' directory.

Solution 2

Open PDFs Directly from the OneDrive App

Bypasses the Acrobat Reader 'Other Locations' integration bug by initiating the file opening directly from Microsoft OneDrive.

Seamless PDF Reader Alternative

Use WPS Office to Open OneDrive PDFs on iPad Easily

If Acrobat Reader continues to show errors with cloud files, you can easily connect your OneDrive account directly to WPS Office on your iPad. WPS Office is a powerful, reliable alternative that flawlessly opens, edits, and annotates PDFs without integration bugs.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the iPad App Store.
2. Access the Cloud Menu: Launch WPS Office and tap on the 'Open' or 'Cloud' tab located at the bottom navigation bar.
3. Connect OneDrive: Select 'OneDrive' from the list of supported cloud storage providers and log in with your Microsoft account credentials.
4. Open Your PDF: Browse your OneDrive directories natively within WPS Office and tap any PDF file to open, read, or edit it instantly.

Direct and stable cloud integration with Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox100% format compatibility with Adobe PDF and Microsoft Office documentsFree, lightweight, and user-friendly suite for reading and annotating PDFs on iPad

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Acrobat Reader display an 'unknown error' when opening OneDrive files on iPad?

This typically occurs due to a broken API connection between the OneDrive app and Acrobat's 'Other Locations' integration, frequently triggered by recent iOS system updates or outdated session tokens.

Will I lose my PDF files if I uninstall Acrobat Reader on my iPad to fix the error?

Yes, if you delete the Acrobat Reader app from your iPad, any PDFs saved in the local 'On This iPad' folder within the app will be permanently deleted. Always back up local files before reinstalling the application.

Can I open OneDrive PDFs on my iPad without using Acrobat Reader?

Absolutely. You can view PDFs directly inside the OneDrive app's built-in previewer, use the native Apple Files app, or rely on stable third-party alternatives like WPS Office to view and edit your PDFs seamlessly.

How do I link my OneDrive account to the Apple Files app?

Open the Apple Files app, tap 'Browse' at the bottom, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, and select 'Edit'. Toggle the switch next to 'OneDrive' to enable it, then tap 'Done'.

PDF Troubleshooting