PDF Opening Issues

How to Fix Dropbox PDF Files Not Opening in Acrobat Reader on iPhone

Rana Garcia Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to successfully open and view PDF files hosted on Dropbox using Adobe Acrobat Reader on an iOS device.

How to Fix Dropbox PDF Files Not Opening in Acrobat Reader on iPhone

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Dropbox
Device & OS: iOS / iPhone
Scenario: Attempting to launch a PDF document directly from the Dropbox application into the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app.
Observed behavior: The PDF file fails to open and presents a 'Try again later' error message due to an app-to-app handoff failure on iOS.

Before you start

Verify that your iPhone has an active internet connection to download the file from the cloud, and ensure there is enough local storage space available to save the document.

Solution 1Recommended

Download the PDF to the iPhone Files App

Bypass the direct handoff bug by downloading the document from Dropbox to your local Apple Files app, then opening it manually in Acrobat Reader.

The 'Try again later' error is typically caused by a communication glitch between the Dropbox app and Acrobat Reader on iOS. Saving the file locally entirely avoids this problematic handoff process.

Locate the file in Dropbox

Open the Dropbox app on your iPhone and navigate to the PDF file you wish to open.

Export the file

Tap the three-dot menu icon next to the file name and select 'Export' or 'Save to Device'.

Save to Files

Choose the 'Save to Files' option from the iOS share sheet and pick a local folder on your iPhone.

Open via Acrobat Reader

Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader, navigate to the 'Files' tab, tap 'On This iPhone', and select the PDF you just downloaded to open it successfully.

Download the PDF to the iPhone Files App

Workaround Confirmed: This workaround has been officially recommended by the Adobe team while they investigate a permanent software fix for the handoff bug.

Solution 2

Update Acrobat Reader, Dropbox, and iOS

Installing the latest software updates ensures you receive recent bug patches that resolve app integration and handoff errors.

Seamless PDF Viewer Alternative

Open and Edit Dropbox PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office

Bypass Adobe Acrobat handoff errors completely by using WPS Office. Our mobile app features a built-in, highly compatible PDF reader that connects directly to Dropbox, allowing you to open, view, and annotate files on your iPhone without any 'Try again later' glitches.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office app from the Apple App Store.
2. Access Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office on your iPhone, navigate to the 'Open' tab, and select 'Add Cloud Storage'.
3. Log in to Dropbox: Choose Dropbox from the list, log into your account, and authorize WPS Office to access your files.
4. Open your PDF: Navigate to the PDF file within the Dropbox folder inside WPS Office and tap it to open and read without any errors.

Direct cloud integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDriveFree, lightweight, and fast mobile PDF viewer and editorHigh format compatibility with all standard PDF and Microsoft Office formatsNo handoff errors between independent applications

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Acrobat Reader show a 'Try again later' error on iPhone?

This is a recognized iOS software handoff issue. When you attempt to open a file from Dropbox directly into Acrobat Reader, the data transfer between the two apps fails, triggering the error.

Is there a permanent fix for this PDF opening error?

The issue requires a software patch from the development teams. Keeping Adobe Acrobat Reader, the Dropbox app, and your iOS firmware fully up to date is the best way to receive the permanent fix once released.

Can I view my Dropbox PDFs without saving them locally?

Yes, you can use the built-in PDF viewer inside the Dropbox app to read documents, or use an alternative office suite like WPS Office that has native Dropbox integration to open files without downloading them manually.

Will reinstalling Adobe Acrobat Reader fix the Dropbox handoff problem?

Reinstalling the app may clear corrupted caches and reset permissions, which sometimes helps, but it is not guaranteed to fix this specific interoperability bug. The local save method remains the most reliable workaround.

PDF Troubleshooting