Other PDF Issues

How to Change the Author Name on a PDF Note in Adobe Acrobat (iOS)

Maira Mehtab Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to update the author name that appears when creating notes or annotations in a PDF document.

How to Change the Author Name on a PDF Note in Adobe Acrobat

Product: Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS: iPhone or iPad
Scenario: Collaborating or adding personal comments to a PDF file where accurate author attribution is required.
Observed behavior: The author name cannot be edited directly from within the PDF note itself; it requires modifying the app preferences via the device's system settings.

Before you start

Make sure you completely close the Adobe Acrobat app before modifying your device settings so that the new author name applies correctly upon your next launch.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Author Name via iOS Settings

Update your author display name by navigating through your iPhone or iPad's system settings rather than the Acrobat app interface.

Adobe Acrobat for iOS manages certain global preferences, such as the default author name for annotations, directly through the iOS Settings app. This ensures consistency across all PDFs you edit on that device.

Open iOS Settings

Return to your device's home screen and open the standard iOS 'Settings' app.

Locate Adobe Acrobat

Scroll down through the list of installed applications until you find 'Adobe Acrobat', and tap on it.

Update Author Name

Look for the 'Author Name' field under the app settings. Tap on it and type in the correct name you wish to use for future PDF notes.

Applies to New Notes Only: Changing the author name in settings will only affect new notes you create. Previously created notes will retain the old author name.

Solution 2

Delete an Existing PDF Note

If you have an existing note with an incorrect author name, you will need to delete it and create a new one.

Powerful PDF Editor alternative

Easily Add and Manage PDF Annotations in WPS Office

If you frequently read and annotate PDFs, WPS Office offers a built-in, intuitive PDF editor. It allows you to seamlessly add comments, highlight text, and manage your annotations without having to dig through complex system settings.

1. Open Your PDF: Launch the WPS Office app on your device and open your desired PDF document.
2. Access Annotation Tools: Tap on the 'Tools' menu at the bottom of the screen and switch to the 'Annotation' tab.
3. Insert a Note: Select the 'Note' icon and tap anywhere on the document page to insert a new comment.
4. Manage Notes Easily: Tap on any existing note to quickly view, edit, or delete the comment directly from the floating toolbar.

Free, lightweight, and user-friendly PDF reader and editorFully compatible with standard PDF formats and Adobe Acrobat filesEasily manage and edit annotations directly within the document viewCross-platform support for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the author name update the name on my past PDF notes?

No, updating the author name in your iOS settings only applies to new notes created after the change. Existing notes will keep the original author name. To fix old notes, you must delete them and create new ones.

Why can't I edit the author name directly within the Adobe Acrobat note on my iPad?

Adobe Acrobat for iOS is designed to pull the author name from a global app preference found in the iOS Settings app. This prevents the need to enter your name for every new document, though it restricts on-the-fly editing within the note itself.

How do I change the author name on a PC or Mac?

On a desktop, open Adobe Acrobat, go to Preferences (or press Ctrl+K / Cmd+K), select 'Commenting', and check or uncheck 'Always use Log-in Name for Author name'. You can also right-click an existing note, select Properties, go to the General tab, and change the Author name there.

PDF Troubleshooting