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Why Adobe Acrobat Requests Full Storage Access Permission on Android
Question details
The user is concerned about privacy and wants to know why Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office require full storage access permissions when opening downloaded files.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Opening downloaded PDF and Excel files on a mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- The applications display a system prompt requesting full access to the device's storage, raising security and privacy concerns for the user.
Before adjusting your device permissions, ensure your Android operating system is up to date and that you have installed the official, verified versions of your document apps from the Google Play Store.
Understand and Manage Storage Permissions via Android Settings
Learn why the permission is necessary for document management and safely grant it through your Android system settings.
Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office require full storage access strictly to read, display, and save changes to files stored on your Android internal storage or SD card. These apps function as document managers and editors, which natively requires the ability to browse local directories.
Adobe does not store your personal device information in its databases. On Android 11 and above, scoped storage policies introduced by Google require you to explicitly grant 'All files access' for apps that need broad access to documents across different folders.
Open the downloaded PDF or Excel file. When the permission notification appears in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Office, tap the 'Go to Settings' button.
If you missed the prompt, open your Android device Settings, tap on 'Apps' or 'App Management', and select Adobe Acrobat from the list of installed applications.
Tap on 'Permissions' and then select 'Storage' or 'Files and media' to view the current access level.
Choose 'Allow access to manage all files' or 'Allow' to grant the necessary permission, allowing the app to successfully read and save your documents.
Read PDFs and Excel Files Safely with WPS Office
If you are concerned about managing multiple apps and permissions for PDFs and spreadsheets, WPS Office provides an all-in-one, secure solution. It handles Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files seamlessly while offering robust privacy controls and full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- 2. Launch and Setup: Open WPS Office and follow the transparent on-screen prompts to grant local file access for document management.
- 3. Open Your Files: Use the integrated file manager to browse your internal storage or SD card, and tap any PDF or Excel file to read and edit it securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Adobe Acrobat collect my personal data when I grant storage access?
No, Adobe Acrobat requires storage access solely to read, display, and save your document files locally on your device or SD card. It does not scan or upload unrelated personal files to its databases.
What happens if I deny the storage permission on Android?
If you deny the storage permission, the application will not be able to locate, open, edit, or save changes to any PDF or Excel files stored on your device's internal memory or external SD card.
Why do these apps need 'All files access' on newer Android versions?
Starting with Android 11, Google introduced 'Scoped Storage' to improve privacy. Apps that serve as comprehensive file managers or document editors must request the 'All files access' permission to function properly across different folders and external SD cards.
How do I revoke the full storage access later if I change my mind?
Go to your Android Settings, tap 'Apps', select the specific app (such as Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Office), tap 'Permissions', select 'Files and media' or 'Storage', and choose 'Don't allow'.
