PDF Editing Issues

How to Change Highlight and Annotation Colors in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to select or change highlight and annotation colors in the Acrobat Reader Mobile app, specifically looking for custom color options.

How to Change Highlight and Annotation Colors in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Product: Acrobat Reader Mobile
Device & OS: Android tablet
Scenario: Annotating and highlighting text in a PDF document on a mobile device.
Observed behavior: Highlight and annotation colors are preset to predefined options, and the user is unsure how to apply custom colors.

Before you start

Ensure you have the latest version of the Acrobat Reader Mobile app installed on your Android tablet to access all available annotation features and color swatches.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Predefined Colors in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Acrobat Reader Mobile provides a set of preset colors for highlighting and annotating. Custom colors are currently limited to this predefined palette.

Currently, the mobile version of Acrobat Reader does not fully support a custom color picker (like entering specific hex or RGB codes). Users must utilize the predefined colors provided within the app's tool settings.

Open the PDF document

Launch Acrobat Reader Mobile on your Android tablet and open the PDF file you wish to annotate.

Activate the Highlight tool

Tap on the 'Edit' or 'Comment' icon located at the bottom menu, then select the 'Highlight' tool.

Select text to highlight

Drag your finger or stylus over the text you want to highlight in the document.

Change the preset color

Tap on the highlighted text or the active tool icon to bring up the context menu. Tap the color palette icon to select a different color from the available predefined options.

Use Predefined Colors in Acrobat Reader Mobile

Custom Color Limitations: If you require highly specific brand colors or custom shades, you may need to edit the PDF on a desktop computer where more advanced color selection features are available.

Highlight and Annotate PDFs Easily with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF reader and editor for mobile devices, offering flexible annotation tools, diverse color options, and seamless document management directly on your Android tablet.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and open the free WPS Office app on your Android tablet.
2. Open your PDF: Locate and open your target PDF file from the document list or file manager.
3. Access PDF Annotation Tools: Tap on the 'Tools' menu at the bottom of the screen and navigate to the 'Annotation' tab.
4. Select the Highlight Tool: Tap the 'Highlight' tool icon, then tap it again to open the expanded color palette and select your preferred highlight color.
5. Apply and Save: Drag across the text you wish to highlight. The color will apply immediately, and you can save your changes directly to the PDF file.

Rich set of annotation tools including highlights, underlines, and shapesFully compatible with standard PDF formats and Adobe Acrobat annotationsLightweight application that saves storage space on your mobile deviceCross-platform syncing across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom hex codes for highlight colors in Acrobat Reader Mobile?

Currently, Acrobat Reader Mobile relies on a predefined palette of colors for highlights and annotations. Entering custom hex or RGB color codes is not natively supported in the mobile app environment.

How do I change the color of an existing highlight in a PDF?

Simply tap on the existing highlighted text in your document. A popup context menu will appear; tap the color circle icon to select a new color from the predefined palette, which will immediately update the highlight.

Are my highlight colors saved when viewing the PDF on a computer?

Yes, any highlights and annotations made in Acrobat Reader Mobile are embedded directly into the PDF file. They will display in the exact same colors when opened on a desktop computer or another PDF reader.

PDF Troubleshooting