Other PDF Issues

How to View Two PDFs Side by Side on iPad Pro

Muhammad Talha Oct 18, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to open and read two different PDF documents simultaneously in a side-by-side layout on an iPad Pro.

How to View Two PDFs Side by Side on iPad Pro

Product: Adobe Acrobat Mobile App
Device & OS: iPad Pro
Scenario: Reading, comparing, or referencing two separate PDF books or documents simultaneously on a tablet device.
Observed behavior: The Adobe Acrobat mobile app currently does not support opening two separate PDFs side by side natively within the app.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad Pro is updated to the latest version of iPadOS to take full advantage of native multitasking features like Split View, and verify your PDF files are saved locally or in iCloud Drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Use iPadOS Split View with Two Different PDF Apps

Since Adobe Acrobat does not natively support viewing two PDFs side by side, you can bypass this limitation by using iPadOS Split View to run Acrobat alongside a second PDF reader.

While Adobe has stated that side-by-side viewing is in their future enhancement pipeline, you can use built-in Apple multitasking features right now by pairing Acrobat with another app like Apple Books, Apple Files, or WPS Office.

Open the first PDF

Launch the Adobe Acrobat app on your iPad Pro and open the first PDF document you want to read.

Activate Split View

Tap the Multitasking button (the three dots) located at the top center of your screen, then select the 'Split View' icon.

Choose a second app

Your current app will slide aside. From your Home Screen or App Library, tap a different app capable of reading PDFs, such as the native 'Files' app.

Open the second PDF

Navigate to your document folder in the second app and open the other PDF to view both documents side by side.

Use iPadOS Split View with Two Different PDF Apps

Adjusting Window Size: You can drag the app divider in the middle of the screen to adjust how much screen space each PDF app takes up.

Solution 2

View PDFs Side by Side on a Computer

If working strictly on an iPad Pro is not required, viewing PDFs side by side is fully supported on the desktop versions of Acrobat.

Effortless Multitasking with WPS Office

Easily Read and Compare PDFs Side-by-Side with WPS Office

WPS Office for iPad offers a highly optimized, lightweight experience that flawlessly integrates with iPadOS Split View. You can effortlessly manage, read, and annotate multiple PDFs without being restricted by single-document limits.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the Apple App Store on your iPad Pro.
2. Open your first PDF: Launch the WPS Office app, navigate to your files, and open the first PDF document.
3. Initiate Split View: Tap the three-dot Multitasking icon at the top center of your iPad screen and select Split View.
4. Open the second PDF: Select the native Apple Files app (or another instance if supported) from your Home Screen to open your second PDF file alongside WPS Office.

Fully supports iPadOS Multitasking and Split View for side-by-side readingSeamlessly compatible with all standard PDF files and Adobe Acrobat formatsLightweight, user-friendly, and completely free to downloadIncludes powerful PDF annotation, editing, and conversion tools built-in

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Adobe Acrobat mobile app support side-by-side PDF viewing in the future?

Yes, Adobe support representatives have confirmed that adding side-by-side viewing capabilities for the mobile application is currently in their future enhancement pipeline, though no specific release date has been provided.

Can I open multiple tabs in the Acrobat mobile app on an iPad?

No, the Adobe Acrobat mobile app currently lacks the multi-tab interface found in its desktop counterpart, meaning you can only view one document at a time natively within the app.

How do I exit Split View on my iPad Pro once I am done comparing PDFs?

To exit Split View, tap and hold the Multitasking button (the three dots) at the top of the app window you want to keep, and drag it to the center of the screen. Alternatively, you can drag the center divider all the way to the left or right edge of the screen to close one of the apps.

PDF Troubleshooting