PDF Editing Issues

How to Fix Copying or Underlining Problems in Acrobat Mobile PDFs

Muhammad Talha Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to copy text, underline content, or easily add signatures in the mobile PDF app, often due to clunky selection controls or recent software updates.

Product: Adobe Acrobat Mobile
Device & OS: Mobile (iOS / Android)
Scenario: Reviewing, annotating, or signing a PDF document on a mobile smartphone or tablet.
Observed behavior: Text selection controls obscure the document content, making precise underlining or copying difficult. Additionally, signature tools are sometimes missing or difficult to access within the updated interface.

Before you start

Ensure your PDF document is not restricted with password protection or security permissions that intentionally block text copying, editing, or annotating.

Solution 1Recommended

Update App and Refresh Account Permissions

Software updates and account syncing issues can cause premium editing and selection tools to malfunction. Refreshing these settings often restores normal functionality.

Mobile operating systems frequently change how touch selection works, requiring developers to issue patch updates. Running an outdated version can lead to UI glitches where text handles obscure the content.

Update the application

Open the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android), search for Adobe Acrobat Reader, and tap 'Update' to install the latest version.

Re-authenticate your account

Open the app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and sign out. Sign back in with your credentials to refresh your premium subscription status and unlock signature tools.

Test with a different document

Open a completely different, unencrypted PDF file and try to long-press to copy or underline text. This helps determine if the issue is isolated to a specific corrupted document.

Update App and Refresh Account Permissions

Document Permissions: If you can highlight or copy text in other PDFs but not a specific one, the author has likely applied security restrictions to that file.

Solution 2

Report Usability Issues to Support

If text selection controls remain obscure or tools are fundamentally difficult to use, contacting support allows the product team to investigate the UI bug.

Easy PDF Editing Solution

Easily Copy, Underline, and Sign PDFs with WPS Office

If your current PDF app's selection controls are too difficult to use, WPS Office provides an intuitive and user-friendly mobile PDF reader and editor. You can precisely select text to copy or underline, and quickly insert saved signatures without navigating obscure menus.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and open WPS Office on your iOS or Android device, then locate and open your PDF file from your local storage or cloud drive.
2. Select text precisely: Long-press on the text you want to interact with. Clear selection handles will appear, allowing you to easily drag and adjust the highlighted area without obscuring the words.
3. Copy or underline: Tap 'Copy' or choose the 'Highlight/Underline' tool from the immediate pop-up menu that appears directly above your selection.
4. Add a signature easily: To sign the document, tap 'Tools' at the bottom, select 'PDF Signature', create or select your saved signature, and tap the screen to place it precisely where needed.

Precise and easy-to-use touch selection handles for seamless underlining and copying.Accessible PDF signature workflows with easy drag-and-drop placement.Fully compatible with standard PDF formats as well as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.Lightweight, all-in-one mobile app for handling multiple document types on the go.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I copy text from my PDF on my mobile phone?

The PDF might be secured with permission passwords that restrict content copying, or it might be a scanned image rather than a text-based document. If it is an image, you must use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tools to extract the text first.

How do I fix the text selection magnifying glass blocking my text on iPhone?

This is often a user interface bug in specific app versions. Updating your app to the latest version usually resolves these glitches. Alternatively, try zooming in closely on the document before long-pressing the text to make the handles easier to drag.

Where did the signature tool go after the app update?

Major app updates can sometimes rearrange menus or consolidate features. Check under the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Edit' panels. Also, ensure you are still logged into the account tied to your active subscription, as premium tools will disappear if you are logged out.

Can I underline text in a scanned PDF document?

Standard underline tools require selectable, recognized text. If the PDF is a flat scanned image, you cannot use the text selection underline tool. You must either run OCR to convert the image to text or use a freehand drawing tool (like a pen/marker icon) to manually draw a line under the words.

PDF Troubleshooting