PDF Opening Issues

Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader for iPad Stuck on Loading Screen

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to access their PDF documents because the Adobe Acrobat Reader app is completely frozen on the loading indicator.

How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader for iPad Stuck on Loading Screen

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Device & OS: iPad (iOS 12)
Scenario: Attempting to launch the app to view local PDF files or open PDFs received via AirDrop after recently updating the app and the iPad's operating system.
Observed behavior: The application hangs indefinitely on the loading screen. Local documents fail to load, AirDrop files will not open, and the app is unresponsive.

Before you start

Verify that your iPad has sufficient available storage space, and ensure you have access to a Mac or Windows PC to back up your local PDF files before making any app changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Back Up Local Documents and Reinstall the App

Since the issue may be caused by a corrupted database of local files, safely backing up your PDFs via a computer and reinstalling the app often resolves the loading freeze.

Uninstalling the app directly from your iPad will permanently delete all locally stored PDFs. You must use iTunes or Finder on a computer to back up these files before proceeding.

Check App Storage

On your iPad, open Settings > General > iPad Storage. Select Acrobat to check the version number and review the 'Documents & Data' size to see how much local storage is being used.

Connect and Back Up via iTunes

Connect your iPad to a Mac or Windows PC. Open iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS versions), select your iPad, navigate to the File Sharing section, and select Acrobat. Save all your PDF documents to a secure folder on your computer.

Reinstall Adobe Acrobat

Once the backup is confirmed, delete Acrobat from your iPad. Open the App Store, download Acrobat Reader again, and launch it to verify the loading screen issue is gone.

Restore Test Files

Use iTunes File Sharing again to transfer just a small number of PDFs back to your iPad. Open the app to ensure it continues to function normally before restoring the rest of your files.

Disable Automatic Updates: While troubleshooting, you may want to go to Settings > App Store and turn off 'App Updates' to prevent unexpected background changes to your apps.

Solution 2

Restore iPad from an iCloud Backup

If the backup and reinstall method fails, you can revert your iPad to a previous state using an iCloud backup created prior to the update.

Reliable Alternative PDF Reader

Read and Manage PDFs Smoothly on iPad with WPS Office

If you continue to experience freezing issues with your current PDF app, WPS Office provides a fast, reliable, and lightweight alternative for your iPad. It flawlessly handles large local documents without getting stuck on loading screens.

1. Install WPS Office for iPad: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for 'WPS Office', and download the application for free.
2. Import Your PDFs: Open WPS Office, tap the Files tab, and navigate to 'On My iPad' to instantly locate and import your saved PDF documents.
3. Read and Edit Seamlessly: Tap on any PDF file to open it. Enjoy fast loading times, and use the built-in annotation tools to highlight text or leave comments.

Smooth rendering of large PDF documents without hanging or freezingFully compatible with standard PDFs and Microsoft Office formatsBuilt-in file manager to easily organize local and cloud documentsRobust annotation and PDF editing tools built into a lightweight app

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my local PDF files if I uninstall Acrobat Reader from my iPad?

Yes, deleting the app will automatically remove all of its locally stored 'Documents & Data'. You must back up these files using iTunes or Finder File Sharing on a computer before you delete the application.

Why does my PDF reader get stuck on the loading screen after an iOS update?

This usually happens due to compatibility issues between the new OS framework and the app's local data cache. If you have a massive amount of locally stored documents, the app might struggle to re-index them after an update, causing a freeze.

How do I turn off automatic app updates on my iPad?

To prevent apps from updating automatically in the background, open your iPad Settings, scroll down to 'App Store', and toggle off the switch for 'App Updates' under the Automatic Downloads section.

PDF Troubleshooting