'%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 View PDF Attachments in Adobe Acrobat on Android
Question details
The user wants to open and read downloaded PDF email attachments, such as utility bills, using the Adobe Acrobat app on an Android device instead of Google Docs.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Mobile App
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Downloading and opening PDF email attachments on a mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files are automatically opening in Google Docs rather than Adobe Acrobat after a recent update, causing frustration and confusion about whether basic PDF viewing requires a paid subscription.
Ensure that the PDF file is completely downloaded to your Android device before attempting to open it. Additionally, check that your Adobe Acrobat app is updated to the latest version from the Google Play Store.
Clear Default App Settings to Restore Adobe Acrobat
Use this solution if your PDF files are automatically opening in the wrong application, such as Google Docs or Google Drive.
Android devices use default app associations to decide which application opens specific file types. If Google Docs intercepted your PDF files, clearing the default settings will prompt Android to ask you which app you want to use again.
Go to your device's home screen and tap on the 'Settings' gear icon.
Scroll down and tap on 'Apps' or 'Apps & notifications' (depending on your Android version), then select 'See all apps'.
Find and tap on the application that is currently opening your PDFs, which in this case is 'Google Docs' (or 'Google Drive').
Tap on 'Open by default' within the app info page, and select 'Clear defaults' to remove its permission to automatically open PDF files.
Locate your downloaded PDF bill in your file manager and tap to open it. When prompted to choose an app, select 'Adobe Acrobat' and tap 'Always' to set it as your preferred PDF viewer.
Open the Attachment Directly from Within Adobe Acrobat
Bypass the Android system's default app settings by launching the downloaded PDF directly from inside the Adobe Acrobat application.
Use WPS Office to Easily View and Manage PDFs on Android
If you continue to experience issues with default PDF viewers or want an intuitive, all-in-one document application, WPS Office provides a fast, lightweight, and completely free way to open, read, and manage PDF attachments on your mobile device.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- 2. Locate Your PDF: Open the WPS Office app, navigate to the 'Document Manager' tab, and tap on 'PDF'.
- 3. Open the Attachment: Select your recently downloaded PDF attachment from the file list to view it instantly with mobile-optimized formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid subscription to view basic PDFs in Adobe Acrobat?
No, viewing standard PDF files, such as utility bills, is a free feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Paid subscriptions are only required for advanced features like editing text, converting files, or combining documents.
Why did Google Docs suddenly become my default PDF viewer?
This often happens after an app update or if you accidentally tapped 'Always' instead of 'Just once' when prompted by the Android system to choose an app to open a PDF file. Clearing your app defaults in Android settings will reset this behavior.
Where do PDF attachments save on my Android phone?
When you download a PDF attachment from an email or messaging app, it typically saves directly to the 'Downloads' folder on your device's internal storage. You can access this folder using your device's built-in 'My Files' or 'File Manager' app.
Can I change my default PDF viewer back if I change my mind later?
Yes. You can change your default PDF viewer at any time by going to Android Settings > Apps, finding the current default app, clearing its defaults, and then opening a PDF to trigger the app selection prompt again.
