PDF Opening Issues

How to Open PDF Files in Adobe Reader from Another iOS App

Jason Miller Oct 18, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to open PDF documents in Adobe Reader when accessing them from inside other native or custom iOS applications.

How to Open PDF Files in Adobe Reader from Another iOS App

Product: Adobe Reader
Device & OS: iOS
Scenario: Trying to view a PDF file received or hosted in a third-party iOS app (such as Mail, Safari, or a custom PhoneGap app) using Adobe Reader.
Observed behavior: The user wants to find the proper way to trigger the 'Open In' dialog or use a URL scheme so the PDF opens natively in Adobe Reader.

Before you start

Ensure that Adobe Reader is installed on your iOS device and updated to the latest version via the App Store before attempting to open files.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the iOS 'Open In' or Share Menu

The standard and most reliable method to transfer and open PDF files from any iOS app into Adobe Reader.

Adobe Reader registers with iOS to handle PDF files automatically. This means it will naturally appear in the system-wide share sheet whenever a PDF is selected.

Open the PDF in the source app

Tap the PDF file in your current iOS application (e.g., Mail, Safari, or Messages) to load the default preview.

Trigger the Share menu

Tap the 'Share' or 'Open In...' icon, which is usually located at the top right or bottom of the screen.

Select Adobe Reader

Look for the 'Adobe Reader' icon in the horizontal list of available apps and tap it to launch the PDF.

Reveal hidden apps if necessary

If you do not see Adobe Reader, swipe the app list to the left or scroll down (depending on your iOS version). You can also tap 'More' (...) to edit the list and make Adobe Reader visible.

Scrollable Menu: The iOS Share menu is scrollable. If you have many apps installed, Adobe Reader might be pushed off the main screen. Simply swipe to reveal it.

Solution 2

Implement Document Interaction for Custom Apps

For developers building custom iOS applications (like PhoneGap) needing to provide users an option to open PDFs in external viewers.

Seamless PDF Viewing on iOS

Use WPS Office to View and Edit PDFs on iOS

WPS Office is a powerful, lightweight alternative for handling PDFs on your iPhone or iPad. It automatically registers in the iOS 'Open In' menu, making it incredibly easy to open, read, annotate, and manage PDFs from any other app.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the Apple App Store on your iOS device.
2. Share the PDF: Open the PDF in your source app (like Safari or Mail) and tap the iOS Share icon.
3. Choose WPS Office: Scroll through your app list and tap the WPS Office icon to instantly open and edit the PDF.

Instantly accessible from the iOS 'Open In' and Share menuFull compatibility with all standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office documentsIncludes advanced PDF editing, annotation, and signature tools for freeLightweight application that saves valuable device storage

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Adobe Reader missing from my iOS Share menu?

If you have many applications installed that support PDF files, iOS might hide some icons to save space. Scroll to the far right of the app list in the Share menu and tap 'More' (...) to enable Adobe Reader and rearrange it to the front.

Can I set an app as the default PDF viewer on iOS?

Apple's iOS does not currently allow users to set a system-wide default app for opening PDFs. However, using the 'Open In' or Share menu allows you to easily choose your preferred app, such as Adobe Reader or WPS Office, whenever you open a document.

How do I open a PDF from Safari into a specific PDF app?

Tap the PDF link in Safari so it loads in the browser window. Then, tap the Share icon at the bottom of the screen and select your desired PDF application from the app list to transfer the file.

PDF Troubleshooting