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How to Fix Out of Memory Error in Adobe Acrobat Reader on iPad
Question details
The user encounters an 'Out of memory' error message while trying to annotate a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat Reader on an iPad, despite having plenty of internal storage space available.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Annotating or editing a PDF document on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- An error message indicating 'Out of memory' pops up, preventing the user from completing their PDF annotations. This is caused by a lack of available working memory (RAM), not internal storage.
Before troubleshooting, keep in mind that iPad internal storage capacity (used for saving files) is different from working memory or RAM (used to run active applications). Save any progress if possible before restarting apps.
Clear Working Memory and Restart Your iPad
Closing all active background applications and restarting the device will clear the iPad's working memory (RAM) and resolve temporary app glitches.
Because PDF rendering and annotation require a significant amount of working memory, running multiple apps in the background can easily consume your iPad's available RAM, triggering this error.
Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and pause in the middle to view all open applications.
Swipe up on the preview card for Adobe Acrobat Reader and all other background apps to force them to close.
Press and hold the top power button (and either volume button on models without a Home button) until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the device, then turn it back on after a few seconds.
Relaunch Adobe Acrobat Reader, open your PDF file, and try adding your annotations to see if the memory error is resolved.
Update Adobe Acrobat Reader and iPadOS
Installing the latest software updates ensures that known bugs and memory leaks within the app or operating system are patched.
Use WPS Office to Annotate PDFs on iPad Without Memory Issues
If Adobe Acrobat Reader repeatedly runs into memory limitations on your device, switch to WPS Office. Its mobile-optimized PDF reader and editor are lightweight, meaning they consume less RAM while offering all the powerful annotation tools you need.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Go to the App Store on your iPad and download WPS Office for free.
- 2. Open Your PDF File: Launch WPS Office, navigate to the 'Files' tab, and open the PDF document you wish to edit.
- 3. Start Annotating: Tap the 'Edit' or 'Annotation' tools at the top to smoothly add highlights, notes, and drawings to your document.
- 4. Save Safely: Tap 'Done' or the save icon to secure your edits without worrying about app crashes or memory limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPad say 'Out of Memory' when I have plenty of storage left?
Storage space (where your files and apps are permanently saved) is entirely different from working memory or RAM (the temporary workspace your iPad uses to run active applications). The 'Out of memory' error means your active RAM is full, even if you have gigabytes of storage space remaining.
Does the size of the PDF affect the 'Out of memory' error?
Yes. Large PDF files, especially those containing high-resolution scanned images, hundreds of pages, or complex vector graphics, require significantly more RAM to render on-screen. Complex documents are much more likely to trigger memory warnings during annotation.
How can I find my iPad model and OS version for troubleshooting?
Open your iPad's Settings app, tap 'General', and select 'About'. Here you will see your iPad's Model Name, Model Number, and the iPadOS Version, which are helpful details to provide when asking for support in software communities.
Can I use WPS Office to annotate PDFs as a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, WPS Office offers robust, free basic PDF reading and annotation tools. You can highlight text, add comments, and draw directly on your PDF documents on your iPad without paying for a premium subscription.
