Fix PDF Highlights and Underlines Not Adjustable in Acrobat Reader iOS
Question details
The user is unable to resize or adjust existing PDF highlights and underlines, or finds the annotation tools grayed out and locked after an app update.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Annotating and editing PDF documents on a mobile device after updating the application to version 18.11.00.
- Observed behavior
- Existing highlights and underlines cannot be adjusted or resized. Additionally, the highlight, underline, and strikethrough tools may appear light gray and cannot be clicked.
Ensure you are logged into your account and verify that the specific PDF document does not have security restrictions preventing commenting and annotations.
Verify Document Permissions and Activate Edit Mode
Ensure the PDF allows commenting and is opened in the correct annotation mode to unlock grayed-out tools.
PDF documents can be locked by their authors to prevent unauthorized editing or commenting. If your highlighter and underline tools are grayed out, the document might be restricted, or you might simply be in viewing mode rather than editing mode.
Launch the Acrobat Reader app on your iOS device and open the problematic PDF document.
Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and select 'Properties' to ensure 'Commenting' is permitted.
Tap the blue pencil icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and select 'Comment' from the pop-up menu to fully activate the annotation toolbar.
If the tools remain locked due to read-only status, tap the three-dot menu, select 'Save a Copy', and open the new copy to begin annotating.
Delete and Reapply PDF Annotations
Since adjusting existing highlights is unsupported in this app version, you must delete and recreate them to change their size.
Easily Highlight and Annotate PDFs with WPS Office
Avoid locked toolbars and limited annotation adjustments. WPS Office provides a robust, highly capable PDF editor that allows you to effortlessly add, resize, and modify highlights, underlines, and other comments on any device.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office on your iOS device from the App Store or on your computer from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch the app and open your PDF document directly within the WPS Office PDF viewer.
- 3. Access Annotation Tools: Tap the 'Edit' or 'Annotation' tab at the top or bottom toolbar to access a fully unlocked suite of PDF tools.
- 4. Highlight and Adjust: Select the 'Highlight' tool to mark text. To adjust later, simply tap the existing highlight to easily resize its boundaries, change its color, or delete it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my highlight and underline tools grayed out in a PDF?
This usually happens if the PDF file is restricted or password-protected against commenting. It can also occur if you haven't entered the proper 'Comment' or 'Edit' mode in your PDF viewer, or if the file is opened as a read-only document from an email attachment.
Can I resize a highlight in Adobe Acrobat Reader on an iPhone?
In newer versions (such as 18.11.00 and above), resizing an existing highlight by dragging its edges is generally not supported. You will need to delete the incorrect highlight and apply a new one to the correct text.
How do I unlock the annotation toolbar in my PDF app?
First, ensure the document isn't read-only. Save a duplicate copy to your local device storage, open the newly saved copy, and tap the edit or pencil icon to properly activate the annotation tools.
Is there a reliable alternative app for highlighting and editing PDFs?
Yes, WPS Office offers a highly capable PDF reader and editor across mobile and desktop platforms. It allows you to easily highlight text, underline, add comments, and adjust those annotations later without arbitrary restrictions.
