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How to Fix Acrobat Reader Crashing on iPad After iOS 10 Update
Question details
Users are unable to access their PDF files because the Adobe Acrobat Reader application continuously crashes or freezes on their iPads.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPad / iOS 10
- Scenario
- Launching the Acrobat Reader app or trying to open stored PDF documents immediately after updating the iPad to iOS 10.
- Observed behavior
- The application freezes on the startup screen, crashes completely, or briefly displays the PDF file list before automatically closing, making it impossible to read documents.
Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has sufficient battery life to complete a software update from the App Store.
Update Adobe Acrobat Reader via the App Store
Updating the app to version 16.09.21 or later contains the official patch to resolve compatibility issues with iOS 10.
The crashing issue on iOS 10 is a known compatibility bug in older versions of the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Adobe released version 16.09.21 specifically to patch this bug and restore normal functionality for iPad users, especially those with large PDF collections.
Tap the App Store icon on your iPad home screen to launch the application.
Tap the search icon, type 'Adobe Acrobat Reader', and locate the official app in the search results.
Tap the 'Update' button next to the app. Ensure the version being installed is 16.09.21 or newer.
Once the update is complete, press and hold the power button to turn off your iPad, then turn it back on before launching the app again.
Perform a System Reboot
If the app is already updated but still crashing, rebooting the iPad clears temporary system caches that might be causing the freeze.
Open and Manage PDF Files on iPad with WPS Office
If your current PDF reader keeps crashing on iOS 10, WPS Office provides a highly stable, lightweight, and free alternative to easily view, manage, and edit your PDF files on any iPad.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for WPS Office, and install the free application.
- 2. Import your PDF files: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the 'Files' tab to access documents stored locally on your iPad or in your iCloud Drive.
- 3. Read smoothly: Tap on any PDF file to open it instantly. Enjoy a seamless reading and annotation experience without freezing or crashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does having a large PDF collection cause the app to crash on iOS 10?
Having a large PDF collection requires the app to generate and cache many document thumbnails upon startup. On unoptimized app versions following an iOS update, this heavy processing can cause memory exhaustion, leading the operating system to forcefully close the app.
Will uninstalling and reinstalling Acrobat Reader fix the crashing issue?
While reinstalling provides the latest version, deleting the app will also delete all locally stored PDF files that are not backed up to a cloud service. It is highly recommended to use the 'Update' button in the App Store instead to preserve your files.
What should I do if updating to version 16.09.21 does not resolve the freezing?
If the app continues to freeze or crash after the update, try performing a full system reboot of your iPad. If the problem persists, you may need to report your exact iPad model, iOS version, and PDF file details to Adobe support for further investigation.
