'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Set Adobe Reader as Default PDF Reader on Android Tablet
Question details
The user wants to configure their Android tablet to automatically use Adobe Reader to open PDF files.
- Product
- Android Settings / Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- After installing a new reader app for DjVu files, PDF files are automatically opening in the new app instead of Adobe Reader.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files are opening in the wrong application, and the user needs to restore Adobe Reader as the default PDF viewer without uninstalling the new app.
Ensure that Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed and updated to the latest version on your Android tablet before adjusting the default app settings.
Clear Defaults for the Current PDF App
To set a new default app, you must first clear the default settings of the app that is currently intercepting and opening your PDF files.
Android associates file types with specific apps when you select 'Always' during the file opening process. To change this behavior, you need to revoke the default permissions from the app that is currently opening your PDFs.
Tap the 'Settings' gear icon on your Android tablet's home screen or within the app drawer.
Scroll down and select 'Apps' or 'Apps & notifications', then tap 'See all apps' to view your installed applications.
Locate and tap on the app that is currently opening your PDFs (the newly installed DjVu reader).
Scroll down on the App info page, tap 'Open by default' (or 'Defaults'), and then tap the 'Clear Defaults' button.
Open your file manager, tap on any PDF file, select 'Adobe Acrobat Reader' from the 'Open with' prompt, and tap 'Always'.
Reset All App Preferences
If you cannot identify which app is opening your PDFs or the 'Clear Defaults' button is hidden, you can reset all app preferences.
Read, Edit, and Manage PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
If you are experiencing issues with standard PDF readers, try WPS Office for Android. It sets up seamlessly as your default PDF reader and offers a complete suite of tools to view, annotate, and manage documents right from your tablet.
- 1. Download the App: Install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android tablet.
- 2. Open and Grant Permissions: Launch WPS Office and grant it permission to access files and media on your device.
- 3. Open a PDF: Navigate to your file manager and tap on any PDF document to open it.
- 4. Set as Default: When the Android prompt appears asking which app to use, select 'WPS Office' and tap 'Always'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Android tablet ask me which app to use every time I open a PDF?
This happens if you haven't set a default app for PDF files. To fix this, simply select your preferred PDF reader (such as Adobe Reader or WPS Office) from the prompt and tap 'Always' instead of 'Just once'.
What should I do if the 'Clear Defaults' button is grayed out in Settings?
If 'Clear Defaults' is grayed out, it means the app is not currently set as the default for any file type. You might be looking at the wrong app. Try to identify the exact name of the app that launches when you tap a PDF, or reset all app preferences from the Settings menu.
Do I need to uninstall my other reader to get Adobe Reader working again?
No, you do not need to uninstall the DjVu reader or any other app. You only need to clear its default settings for opening PDFs by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Open by default, and selecting 'Clear Defaults'.
Can I change my default PDF viewer back to Google Drive later?
Yes. You can follow the same 'Clear Defaults' process for Adobe Reader. Once cleared, opening a PDF will prompt you to choose an app again, at which point you can select Google Drive PDF Viewer and tap 'Always'.
