How to Remove the Blue Highlight Box Around PDF Links on iPad
Question details
The user wants to remove the blue highlight box that appears when a hyperlink is tapped or selected in a PDF on an iPad.
- Product
- PDF Viewer
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Viewing a PDF document and tapping on embedded hyperlinks.
- Observed behavior
- A blue highlight box persists around the hyperlink after it has been selected.
Ensure your iPad is updated to the latest version of iPadOS and that your PDF viewer application is fully up to date.
Deselect the Active Hyperlink
The blue box is a standard UI indicator showing that a link is actively selected. Tapping away will clear it.
In most PDF viewer applications on the iPad, tapping an interactive element like a hyperlink selects it, causing a blue highlight box to appear. This is intended behavior to show you which element is active.
Simply tap any blank space on the PDF page away from the active hyperlink.
Check if the blue highlight box disappears, indicating the link is no longer selected.
Restart the PDF Application
If tapping away does not clear the blue box, the application may be experiencing a temporary visual glitch.
Adjust PDF Viewer Accessibility Settings
Some PDF apps have specific settings that highlight links permanently for visibility and accessibility.
Read and Manage PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office on iPad
WPS Office offers a clean, distraction-free PDF reading experience on your iPad. You can easily view documents and interact with hyperlinks without dealing with persistent interface glitches.
- 1. Download the App: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and download it for free.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, navigate to the 'Files' tab, and tap your PDF document to open it.
- 3. Navigate Smoothly: Tap links seamlessly without worrying about persistent highlight boxes cluttering your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDF links turn blue when I tap them on my iPad?
The blue highlight is a standard visual indicator built into iPadOS and many PDF viewers. It serves to show the user that a hyperlinked element is currently active or selected before triggering the jump to the linked page or website.
Can I permanently disable link highlighting in all iPad PDF apps?
There is no universal iPad setting to disable this across all applications. You must check the individual settings of the specific PDF reader you are using, as some offer customization for link visibility while others do not.
Will the blue highlight box appear if I print or share the PDF?
No, the blue selection box is strictly an interactive user interface element for on-screen navigation. It is not embedded into the document content and will not appear if you print, export, or share the PDF.
