Other PDF Issues

Fix Acrobat Reader Search Results Not Highlighting on Android

Muhammad Talha Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restore search highlighting and navigation button functionality when searching for text in a PDF on an Android device.

How to Fix Acrobat Reader Search Results Not Highlighting on Android

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader Mobile
Device & OS: Android 10
Scenario: Navigating through text search results using the Next/Previous buttons within a PDF document.
Observed behavior: The app navigates to the matching page, but the specific search result text is not highlighted. Additionally, the search navigation buttons disappear, requiring the user to restart the search entirely.

Before you start

Ensure that your Android operating system is up to date and remember to back up any locally stored PDFs or offline annotations before clearing app data or uninstalling the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear App Cache and Storage Data

Clearing the local cache and app data removes corrupted temporary files that often cause user interface bugs like missing highlights and disappearing buttons.

Android applications store temporary data to load faster, but this data can sometimes become corrupted after an update. Clearing it forces the app to rebuild these temporary files, often resolving search and display glitches.

Open Android Settings

Navigate to your device's home screen or app drawer and tap the 'Settings' gear icon.

Locate Acrobat Reader

Tap on 'Apps' or 'App Management' (depending on your device manufacturer), then scroll down and tap on 'Acrobat' from the list of installed applications.

Clear Cache and Data

Tap on 'Storage & cache' or 'Storage'. First, tap 'Clear Cache'. If the search highlighting issue persists after testing, return to this screen and select 'Clear Data' or 'Clear Storage'.

Important Consideration: Clearing app data will log you out of your account and reset app preferences. It may also delete locally downloaded files that are not synced to the cloud.

Solution 2

Update or Reinstall Acrobat Reader

Updating to the newest version ensures you have the latest bug fixes, while reinstalling provides a clean slate for the app to function properly.

Seamless PDF Experience

Use WPS Office for Reliable PDF Searching on Android

If Acrobat Reader continues to glitch, WPS Office provides a stable, all-in-one alternative for Android users. Its built-in PDF viewer features fast, highly accurate text searching with reliable highlighting and persistent navigation tools.

1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the Google Play Store and install the app on your Android device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office, grant the necessary file permissions, and tap on your PDF file to open it.
3. Access the Search Tool: Tap the 'Search' (magnifying glass) icon located at the top or bottom toolbar of the screen.
4. Navigate Search Results: Type your desired keyword. WPS Office will instantly highlight matching text in the document, and you can easily jump between results using the Next and Previous arrow buttons.

Fully compatible with all standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office filesClear, persistent search highlighting that makes finding text easy on mobile screensStable navigation buttons that won't disappear mid-searchLightweight application that saves device storage while offering robust editing tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do search highlights suddenly disappear in my PDF reader?

This issue is typically caused by temporary software bugs in a specific app version, corrupted app cache on your Android device, or complex text formatting layers within the PDF document itself that the reader struggles to render.

Will clearing Acrobat's app data delete my saved PDF files?

Clearing app data will reset your local app settings, log you out, and remove temporary files. PDFs saved directly to your device's internal storage or synced to cloud services (like Google Drive or Adobe Document Cloud) remain safe, but un-synced app-specific files may be lost.

How can I accurately search for text in a PDF on an Android phone?

You can accurately search by opening your PDF in a reliable viewer like WPS Office. Tap the magnifying glass icon, enter your keyword, and use the on-screen navigation arrows to jump directly to the highlighted text matches.

PDF Troubleshooting