PDF Editing Issues

How to Keep the Highlighter Tool Active in Adobe Reader on iPad

Huda Qurayshi Oct 18, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to keep the highlighter tool continuously active while reading and annotating a PDF, instead of having to tap the tool again for every new highlight.

How to Keep the Highlighter Tool Active in Adobe Reader on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Device & OS: iPad
Scenario: Reading, studying, or reviewing a PDF document on an iPad and applying multiple highlights across different lines or paragraphs.
Observed behavior: The highlighter tool deselects automatically after a single use, forcing the user to repeatedly re-click the tool to highlight the next piece of text.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to the internet and that you have your Apple ID credentials ready, as resolving this issue requires updating the application from the App Store.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the Latest Version

Updating the app resolves this issue because versions 17.03.28 and later include a continuous markup feature that keeps the highlighter active by default.

In older versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader for iOS, the app's default behavior was to drop the markup tool after a single use. Based on user feedback, Adobe modified this feature in update 17.03.28 to allow continuous highlighting.

Open the App Store

Navigate to your iPad's home screen and tap the App Store icon.

Access your Account Profile

Tap on your Apple ID profile picture located in the top-right corner of the screen to open the account menu.

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader

Scroll down to the 'Available Updates' section. Find Adobe Acrobat Reader in the list and tap the 'Update' button next to it. If it is not listed, your app may already be up to date.

Use the Highlighter Continuously

Once updated, open a PDF document in Acrobat Reader. Select the Highlight tool and begin swiping over text. The tool will now stay active, allowing you to highlight multiple sections repeatedly without re-clicking.

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the Latest Version

Applies to Other Markup Tools: This continuous selection update also applies to other text markup tools in the app, including Strikethrough and Underline.

Easy PDF Annotation

Use WPS Office for Continuous PDF Highlighting

WPS Office features a powerful built-in PDF editor that allows for seamless and continuous text annotation. You can effortlessly highlight, underline, or strike through text on your iPad without interruptions, boosting your reading and studying efficiency.

1. Install WPS Office: Search for 'WPS Office' in the iPad App Store, download, and install the application.
2. Open your PDF Document: Launch WPS Office, tap on the 'Files' or 'Open' tab, and select the PDF document you wish to read.
3. Access Annotation Tools: Navigate to the 'Annotation' tab on the top toolbar and tap the Highlighter icon.
4. Highlight Continuously: Drag your finger or Apple Pencil across the text. The highlighter will remain active automatically, allowing you to mark up the entire document without reselecting the tool.

Continuous highlighter, underline, and shape tools designed for uninterrupted reading workflows.Fully compatible with standard PDF files and all Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Free, lightweight, and highly optimized for iPad and Apple Pencil touch controls.Built-in cloud sync for accessing your annotated PDFs across iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the highlighter color while it is active?

Yes. Once you select the highlight tool, tap the color palette or formatting icon that appears on the secondary toolbar to change the color and adjust the opacity of your highlights.

How do I turn off the continuous highlighter tool?

To stop highlighting, simply tap the active highlighter icon on the toolbar again to deselect it, or tap a blank space on your document to return to the standard viewing mode.

How do I delete a mistake highlight in a PDF on iPad?

Tap directly on the highlighted text you want to remove. A small context menu will pop up; select 'Delete' or the trash can icon to instantly remove the highlight from that specific text.

PDF Troubleshooting