Other PDF Issues

Fix Hyperlinks Not Working in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Camila Milosovich Oct 18, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to click URLs in PDF documents when using the Acrobat Reader mobile app, as the links display only as unclickable plain text.

How to Fix Hyperlinks Not Working in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader Mobile
Device & OS: iOS and Android
Scenario: Viewing a PDF document containing website URLs or internal links on a smartphone or tablet.
Observed behavior: The hyperlinks do not respond to tapping and act as standard text, preventing users from navigating to the intended web pages.

Before you start

Verify whether the issue happens with all PDF files or just a specific document, as the original creator may have forgotten to format the text as an active hyperlink before exporting the file.

Solution 1Recommended

Add Active Link Annotations to the PDF

The most common reason links do not work is that the document lacks proper hyperlink annotations. You must use a PDF editor to properly embed the URLs.

If a URL is typed out but not officially linked by the document creator, mobile readers often fail to auto-detect it. Editing the PDF to include a proper clickable area resolves this for all viewers.

Open a PDF Editor

Launch a desktop or mobile PDF editor (such as Adobe Acrobat Pro or WPS Office) and open the affected document.

Access the Link Tool

Navigate to the 'Edit' tab and select the 'Link' or 'Add Hyperlink' tool from the toolbar.

Draw the Clickable Area

Click and drag to draw a selection box over the plain text URL that you want to make clickable.

Set the Destination

In the popup dialog, choose 'Open a web page' and type or paste the exact destination URL, then click 'OK' and save the document.

Permanent Fix: Once the PDF is saved with embedded hyperlink annotations, the links will work natively across all mobile and desktop PDF readers.

Solution 2

Check Acrobat Reader Mobile Viewing Modes

Ensure you are not accidentally in a text selection or editing mode, which intercepts your taps before they register as link clicks.

Solution 3

Copy and Paste the URL Manually

A quick workaround for unlinked text URLs without needing to edit the original PDF document.

WPS PDF Tools

Easily Add and Read PDF Hyperlinks with WPS Office

Avoid broken links and unclickable text by managing your documents with WPS Office. The built-in WPS PDF editor lets you quickly insert, edit, and test hyperlink annotations on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring your readers always have a smooth experience.

1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document that contains broken or plain text links.
2. Select the Edit Tool: Go to the 'Edit' tab in the top navigation bar and click on the 'Link' button.
3. Add the Hyperlink: Draw a box over the target text, enter your desired web URL into the dialog box, and click 'OK'.
4. Save and Test: Save your newly edited PDF. Switch to reading mode and click the text to verify the link works perfectly.

Easily insert and edit active hyperlinks directly within your PDF documentsFully compatible with standard PDF annotations and Adobe Acrobat filesLightweight, feature-rich mobile app for seamless document reading on the go

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some URLs in my PDF show up as plain text instead of clickable links?

This usually happens when the document creator types out the web address but fails to apply an active hyperlink annotation before saving or exporting the file. While some PDF readers try to auto-detect text that looks like a URL, this feature isn't supported universally across all mobile apps.

Can I add hyperlinks to a PDF directly from my phone?

Yes. You can use a mobile PDF editing app, such as WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat Premium, to select text and add hyperlink annotations directly from your iOS or Android device.

Does converting a Word document to PDF preserve my clickable hyperlinks?

Generally, yes. If you use the 'Export to PDF' or 'Save as PDF' function in software like WPS Office or Microsoft Word, existing hyperlinks are preserved. However, 'Printing to PDF' often flattens the document and strips away active link annotations.

PDF Troubleshooting