How to Hide the Locations Pane in Acrobat Reader on iPad
Question details
The user wants to hide or collapse the Locations pane while viewing PDF files on an iPad in landscape orientation.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Reading or presenting a PDF document on an iPad held in landscape mode.
- Observed behavior
- The Locations pane automatically hides in portrait view but remains persistently visible in landscape mode, taking up valuable screen space.
Ensure that your Acrobat Reader app and iPadOS are updated to the latest versions, as interface behaviors and bugs are frequently patched in new releases.
Manually Collapse the Locations Pane
Use the app's built-in navigation controls to manually toggle the visibility of the side pane.
In some versions of Acrobat Reader, the landscape orientation defaults to showing the Locations pane to utilize the wider screen layout. However, it can usually be toggled off manually.
Tap anywhere on the PDF document to bring up the top toolbar. Look for the 'Files' icon or the sidebar navigation toggle at the top-left corner of the interface.
Tap the navigation control icon. If supported by your current version, this action will collapse the Locations pane and expand your document to fit the full width of the screen.
Update the App to Resolve Interface Limitations
Check for updates if the pane refuses to hide, as forced split-views are sometimes known UI limitations on older app versions.
Enjoy True Full-Screen PDF Reading on iPad with WPS Office
Tired of persistent side panels restricting your view? WPS Office features a mobile-optimized PDF reader that guarantees true full-screen viewing in both portrait and landscape modes on your iPad.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office application from the iPad App Store.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office, navigate to the 'Files' tab, and open your PDF document.
- 3. Enter Reading Mode: Tap the center of your screen to instantly hide all menus, toolbars, and panes, enjoying a clean, distraction-free reading experience in landscape orientation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Locations pane only stay open in landscape mode?
App developers often design iPad interfaces to utilize the extra horizontal space available in landscape mode. Consequently, sidebars like the Locations pane are sometimes pinned open by default, whereas they auto-hide in portrait mode to save limited width.
Can I view PDFs on my iPad without any toolbars showing?
Yes. Most modern PDF readers, including WPS Office, offer an immersive full-screen mode. You can usually activate this by simply tapping the center of the screen while viewing a document, which auto-hides all navigational elements.
How do I make a different PDF reader the default on my iPad?
While iPadOS does not allow you to set a universal default PDF app, you can easily open PDFs in your preferred app. Press and hold the PDF file in your Files app, tap 'Share', and select your desired application (such as WPS Office) from the share sheet.
