PDF Opening Issues

Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader Closing When Opening PDF Folders on iPad

Amos Gikunda Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing application crashes when attempting to open specific PDF folders in Adobe Acrobat Reader on their iPad, particularly after restoring the device from a backup.

How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader Closing When Opening PDF Folders on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Device & OS: iPadOS (10.5-inch iPad)
Scenario: Accessing restored PDF folders after performing an iPad backup restore.
Observed behavior: Adobe Acrobat Reader unexpectedly closes or crashes back to the home screen upon attempting to open certain restored PDF folders.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and that you know your Adobe ID login credentials, as you may need to reinstall the application and sign back in.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Software and Restart iPad

Running outdated software can cause severe compatibility issues, especially after a backup restore. Updating iPadOS and the app is the most effective first step.

System updates often contain bug fixes for directory errors that cause apps to crash when accessing older files.

Update iPadOS

Go to the Settings app on your iPad, tap on 'General', then select 'Software Update'. If an update is available, tap 'Download and Install'.

Update Acrobat Reader

Open the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, scroll down to find Adobe Acrobat Reader, and tap 'Update'.

Restart the iPad

Press and hold the top power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, and turn the device back on.

Automatic Updates: Turning on automatic updates in both your iPad settings and the App Store can prevent similar compatibility issues in the future.

Solution 2

Uninstall and Reinstall the App

If the app data became corrupted during the backup restore, a fresh installation will clear the corrupted cache and rebuild necessary file paths.

Solution 3

Recreate Restored Problematic Folders

Sometimes, the folder structure itself becomes corrupted during a device restore. Moving the files to newly created folders can bypass the crash.

Seamless PDF Reader for iPad

Use WPS Office to Open and Manage PDFs on iPad

If Adobe Acrobat continues to crash on your iPad, WPS Office provides a highly stable, lightweight alternative for viewing, editing, and organizing your PDF folders securely.

1. Download WPS Office: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for 'WPS Office', and download the free application.
2. Locate your PDF folders: Launch WPS Office, tap on the 'Files' tab at the bottom, and navigate to your local iPad storage or connected cloud services.
3. Open and read seamlessly: Tap on any PDF file or folder to instantly view, highlight, or organize your documents without unexpected closures.

Flawlessly opens and manages complex PDF folders, bypassing corrupted directory crashes.Fully compatible with all standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office files like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Includes powerful annotation, signing, and document conversion tools for free.Lightweight app design ensures smooth and fast performance even on older iPad models.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Adobe Acrobat close instantly when I tap a PDF folder?

This typically occurs due to corrupted app cache or a broken folder directory path created during an iCloud or iTunes backup restore. When the app fails to read the corrupted folder contents, it crashes to protect the system.

Will I lose my PDFs if I reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on my iPad?

If your PDFs are saved in Adobe Document Cloud or Apple's iCloud Drive, they are safe. However, files stored strictly locally in the 'On My iPad' Acrobat directory might be lost if they are not manually backed up before deleting the app.

How can I tell if a specific PDF file is causing the app to crash?

If the app only closes when opening a particular folder, try moving the files out of that folder one by one using the native Apple Files app. If opening a specific file still causes the crash in its new location, that individual PDF file is likely corrupted.

PDF Troubleshooting