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Fix Adobe Acrobat App Freezing and Slow Scrolling on iOS 12
Question details
Users need to resolve performance issues where the PDF reader application freezes and lags when trying to navigate files and read documents.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat iOS App
- Device & OS
- iOS 12 (iPad Mini 4)
- Scenario
- Navigating files and scrolling through PDF documents after an iOS system update.
- Observed behavior
- The application frequently freezes, scrolls very slowly, and fails to display local files and folders properly.
Ensure your iPad or iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and backed up to iCloud before attempting to update or reinstall applications.
Update Adobe Acrobat and iOS Software
Since Adobe has acknowledged this as a known bug in version 18.09.14, installing the latest patches is the most reliable fix.
Navigate to your home screen and tap the 'App Store' icon.
Tap your profile icon at the top right of the App Store screen to view available updates.
Scroll down to locate Adobe Acrobat and tap the 'Update' button to install the newest bug fixes.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure your device operating system is fully updated.
Uninstall and Reinstall Adobe Acrobat
A fresh installation can resolve corrupted local files that cause the app to freeze.
Use the Native iOS Files App as a Workaround
If Acrobat struggles to locate your folders, use Apple's built-in file manager to open your PDFs.
Read and Edit PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
Instead of struggling with freezing apps, you can use WPS Office to easily open, read, and navigate your PDF files on iOS devices without lag.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the App Store and install WPS Office for free on your iOS device.
- 2. Open the App: Launch WPS Office and tap on the 'Files' tab located at the bottom of the screen.
- 3. Locate Your PDF: Browse your local iPad folders or cloud storage within the app to find the PDF you want to view.
- 4. Enjoy Smooth Reading: Tap the file to open it. Enjoy fast scrolling, zooming, and annotation without freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Adobe Acrobat app freezing after an iOS update?
App freezing after a major system update is often caused by compatibility issues between the new operating system and the current app version. Adobe acknowledged this specific bug in Acrobat version 18.09.14 running on iOS 12.
Where did my local PDF files go after updating Acrobat?
Your files have not been deleted. The file-navigation bug in this specific Acrobat version prevents local folders from rendering correctly in the app's interface. You can safely access your files using the native iOS 'Files' app instead.
Can I downgrade my iPad back to an older iOS to fix the app?
Apple typically stops signing older iOS versions shortly after a new release, making downgrading extremely difficult or impossible for most users. It is much safer and more reliable to wait for an official patch from Adobe.
Are there free alternatives that don't freeze on older iPads?
Yes. Lightweight productivity suites like WPS Office are highly optimized for performance, providing a smooth, lag-free PDF reading and editing experience even on older Apple devices like the iPad Mini 4.
