Other PDF Issues

How to Fix Missing Umlauts in PDFs on iPhone

Nimra Malik Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a display issue where a PDF file shows correctly on computers and tablets but fails to render umlauts when opened on an iPhone.

How to Fix Missing Umlauts in PDFs on iPhone

Product: PDF Reader
Device & OS: iPhone (iOS)
Scenario: Viewing a PDF containing special characters or umlauts on a mobile device.
Observed behavior: Umlauts and potentially other special characters are completely missing or replaced by incorrect symbols on the iPhone PDF viewer.

Before you start

Verify if the display issue happens with multiple PDF files or just one specific document, and ensure your iPhone's PDF reader app is updated to the latest version.

Solution 1Recommended

Embed Fonts When Re-exporting the PDF

Recreating the PDF with fully embedded Unicode-compatible fonts ensures that the iPhone viewer does not have to substitute fonts.

When fonts are not embedded, mobile PDF readers attempt to use system fonts to display text. If the mobile device lacks the specific font used for special characters like umlauts, those characters will disappear or render incorrectly.

Open the original document

Open the source file (e.g., Word document) used to create the PDF on your computer.

Select a Unicode font

Ensure the text uses a standard, Unicode-compatible font (such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri).

Access export settings

Go to 'File' > 'Save As' or 'Export', and select PDF as the output format.

Enable font embedding

Open the PDF 'Options' or 'Properties' dialog before saving, and check the box that says 'Embed fonts in the file' or similar phrasing. Click 'OK' and save the document.

Testing the new file: Transfer the newly exported PDF to your iPhone and open it to verify that the umlauts now display perfectly.

Solution 2

Use a Dedicated Mobile PDF Reader

Switching from the built-in iOS viewer to a professional PDF reader can resolve character rendering issues.

Flawless Mobile PDF Experience

Easily Create and View PDFs with Embedded Fonts in WPS Office

WPS Office provides a powerful, all-in-one PDF solution that perfectly preserves fonts, formatting, and special characters like umlauts. Whether you are creating a PDF on your PC or reading it on your iPhone, WPS ensures a seamless and accurate display.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office on the computer where your original document is stored.
2. Open your source document: Launch the Word, Excel, or Presentation file containing the umlauts in WPS Office.
3. Export to PDF: Click the 'Menu' button, go to 'Export to PDF', and ensure the standard export options are selected. WPS will automatically handle font embedding.
4. Transfer and view: Send the generated PDF to your iPhone and open it using the free WPS Office mobile app for flawless viewing.

Flawless rendering of umlauts and special characters across all devicesHigh compatibility with Microsoft Office and standard Adobe PDF formatsAutomatic font embedding during PDF creation to prevent display errorsFree and lightweight app available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do PDFs look different on my iPhone compared to my PC?

Mobile PDF viewers sometimes substitute local system fonts for non-embedded document fonts to save space. If the original font is missing on the iPhone, special characters like umlauts might not render correctly.

What does embedding a font in a PDF mean?

Embedding a font saves the font data directly within the PDF file. This ensures the document retains its exact appearance on any device, regardless of whether that device has the font installed.

Can I fix missing umlauts without the original document?

It is challenging without the original source file. You can try viewing the PDF in a more robust mobile app like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat Reader, but recreating the PDF with embedded fonts is the most reliable long-term fix.

PDF Troubleshooting