Fix Cannot Highlight or Comment on Secured PDFs in iOS
Question details
The user is unable to add highlights or comments to a secured PDF on an iOS device, despite these features working properly on a Windows computer.
- Product
- Acrobat Reader Mobile
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to annotate, highlight, or add comments to a secured PDF document using an iPhone or iPad.
- Observed behavior
- Commenting and highlighting tools are unavailable or grayed out in the mobile application, even when commenting permissions appear to be enabled in the document's security settings.
Ensure you have the correct permissions password for the PDF document, as you will need it to authorize changes to the security settings.
Remove Security Restrictions Using a Desktop PDF Editor
Since mobile PDF readers block annotations on secured files by design, the most effective workaround is to remove the security restrictions on a desktop computer before transferring the file to iOS.
Acrobat Reader mobile does not support adding comments to secured PDFs on iOS or Android due to app limitations. By removing the protection layer on a desktop computer, you create an unrestricted version of the file that is fully compatible with mobile annotation tools.
Send or transfer the secured PDF file from your iOS device to a Windows or Mac computer.
Launch a desktop PDF application such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS Office and open the secured document.
Navigate to the document's Properties or Protect tab and locate the Security settings.
Select the option to remove security (often labeled 'No Security' or 'Decrypt'). Enter the permissions password when prompted to authorize the change.
Save the newly unprotected PDF document and transfer it back to your iPhone or iPad to begin highlighting and commenting.
Print to PDF to Strip Restrictions
If you do not have advanced PDF editing software but the document allows printing, you can use the Print to PDF feature to generate a fresh, unrestricted copy.
Use WPS Office to Remove Passwords and Annotate PDFs
WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF toolkit that lets you effortlessly remove security restrictions on your desktop and seamlessly annotate your PDFs across all your devices.
- 1. Open the secured PDF: Launch WPS Office on your computer, click on 'Open', and select your secured PDF document.
- 2. Access the Protect tab: Navigate to the 'Protect' tab on the top ribbon and select the 'Encrypt' option.
- 3. Remove permissions: Uncheck the permissions password box, enter the password to authorize the change, and confirm to remove the security restrictions.
- 4. Save and annotate: Save the new unrestricted PDF. You can now use the 'Comment' tab to add highlights directly or transfer the file to iOS for mobile editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do comments work on Windows but not on my iPhone for the same secured PDF?
Mobile apps often have different functional limitations compared to their desktop counterparts. Acrobat Reader mobile currently does not support adding comments or highlights to secured PDFs on iOS or Android, regardless of the file's specific permission settings.
Can I unlock the PDF directly on my iOS device?
Most mobile PDF reading apps do not include the advanced security management tools required to remove permission passwords. It is highly recommended to remove the security settings on a desktop computer first.
How do I know if my PDF is secured before attempting to edit?
Typically, a secured PDF will display a padlock icon, state 'SECURED' in the title bar, or have editing and commenting options visibly grayed out in the app's toolbar.
