How to Share a Fillable PDF Form from an iPhone Without Flattening
Question details
The user needs to send a PDF form from an iPhone so that the recipient can fill out the form fields and add comments, rather than receiving a read-only document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader for iOS
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Sharing an interactive PDF document via email or AirDrop while retaining its editable form fields and comment functionalities.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to ensure the document remains fully editable for the recipient and is not flattened during the sharing process.
Make sure your PDF reader app is updated to the latest version on your iPhone, and verify that the original PDF document does not have security restrictions preventing editing or form filling.
Share an Unflattened Copy via Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adjust your Acrobat Reader settings to prevent document flattening, ensuring the recipient can interact with form fields and comments.
By default, Acrobat Reader for iOS shares a copy of a PDF document without flattening it, preserving fillable fields and comments. However, it is essential to verify that the flattening option is disabled in your preferences, especially in Acrobat Reader versions 18.12.00 or later.
Open the Adobe Acrobat Reader app on your iPhone. Navigate to Settings > Preferences, and ensure that the 'Share a Flattened Copy' option is disabled.
Locate and open the fillable PDF document you want to share within the Acrobat app.
Tap the Share icon located in the top menu bar, then tap on 'Share a Copy'. Note that signing in is not required for this action.
Choose a sharing option from the iOS Share sheet that appears, such as Mail, Gmail, or AirDrop, and send it to your recipient.
Share Fillable PDF Forms Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a powerful, mobile-friendly PDF toolkit that allows you to read, fill, and share interactive PDF forms directly from your iPhone without losing editable fields.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office app on your iPhone and open the fillable PDF form you wish to share.
- 2. Fill or Review the Form: If necessary, fill in the text fields or review existing comments using the built-in PDF editing tools.
- 3. Share the Document: Tap the 'Share' button at the bottom or top menu, choose 'Share as File', and select your preferred method (like Mail or AirDrop) to send the interactive document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to share a flattened PDF?
Flattening a PDF merges all interactive elements, such as fillable form fields, checkboxes, and comments, into a single background layer with the document's text. This makes the document read-only, preventing recipients from editing or interacting with the fields.
Why can't the recipient edit the PDF form I sent from my iPhone?
This usually happens if the PDF was flattened during the sharing process. Check your PDF app settings (e.g., Settings > Preferences in Adobe Acrobat) and ensure that options like 'Share a Flattened Copy' are disabled before you send the file.
Can I share a fillable PDF form using the native iOS Files app?
Yes, you can share the PDF directly from the iOS Files app by tapping the Share icon and sending it via Mail or AirDrop. The native app generally preserves form fields unless the document is explicitly locked or was previously flattened by another application.
Do I need an Adobe account to share a copy of a PDF from my iPhone?
No, you do not need to sign in to an Adobe account to use the 'Share a Copy' feature in Acrobat Reader on iOS. You can share the file locally using your device's built-in sharing options.
