How to Open and Edit PDF on Android.

https://youtu.be/nRp_HT50USQ

If you need to edit and read a PDF on Android, you’ll need a specific tool to deal with your documents on your handheld device. Open and manage your content on the go with a PDF reader for Android.

What You’ll Learn.

How to Open PDF Files on Android.

Close up looking at person’s hands using a smartphone.

There’s more than one way to open PDF files on Android – one could be more beneficial than the other depending on what you’re after so it’s worth knowing what options you have.

Open PDF Files on Android with a PDF Viewer App.

There are several PDF viewer apps available on the Google Play Store that you can use to open your PDF files. Some popular options include Adobe Acrobat Reader. Once you have downloaded and installed a PDF viewer app, you can simply open the app and open your PDF file from the menu. Most viewers are quite similar so here’s step-by-step.

To open a PDF document on your Android device with Adobe Acrobat Reader:

  1. Locate your PDF and double tap the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner and select Open from the dropdown.
  2. Sign into your Adobe account if prompted.
  3. Your PDF should open in your Adobe Android app.
  4. You can read the PDF, make edits, change formatting and more using the built-in tools.

Image of Adobe Acrobat Reader displaying an open PDF on Android.

If you’re not using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can still follow similar steps.

Open a PDF Document on your Android Device in a Web Browser.

If a PDF file is available online or in an email attachment, you can use a web browser like Google Chrome to open it. Simply navigate to the website or email where the PDF file is hosted and tap on the PDF link.

Once done, the PDF should open in your web browser. From there, you can decide if you want to save the PDF to your device or open it in another app.

How to Edit a PDF on Android.

Screenshot of a PDF being edited with a highlighter on Adobe Acrobat Reader for Android.

Editing a PDF on an Android device is simple if you have access to the Adobe Acrobat app. It’s a similar process to opening your document on an Android device.

Once you’ve navigated to your files folder, follow the steps below:

  1. Tap on your file and select the programme you want to Open with from the menu.
  2. Open up the Adobe Acrobat app and sign in if prompted.
  3. Make edits using the tools displayed in the ribbon menu at the top of the screen.

You can choose to add text, change fonts, move aspects of the formatting around and more. Just don’t forget to save it once you’re happy with your amended document.

Screengrab of the Open with options on Android for a PDF file.

To get started, you’ll need access to a tool or website that can handle PDF documents. Adobe Acrobat Pro for Android can quickly do this.

Some Android devices have built-in tools for reading PDFs too. If yours doesn’t, you can find the Adobe Acrobat Pro app in the Google Play Store.

To open a PDF document on your Android device, follow these steps:

To view a PDF on your device, double tap the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner and select Open from the dropdown. Sign into your Adobe account if prompted. Your PDF should open in your Adobe Android app. You can read the PDF, make edits, change formatting and more using the built-in tools.

From desktop, you can also easily upload, edit, and save files with our edit PDFs online page.

How to Change Default PDF Reader on Android.

Screenshot of App Info page located in Settings > Apps. The Set as Default option is being highlighted.

Your default PDF reader is the app that you have set to automatically handle your PDF viewing needs. There are instances where you might want to change this, such as when you need to edit a PDF instead of view it or when you download a new PDF reader.

To do this on most Android phones you’ll need to:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps and then find the default PDF viewer you’re using.
  2. Tap on the PDF viewer app you want to make your new default and scroll down to Defaults.
  3. Tap on the Default tab and then select your desired programme as your new default.

FAQs

How do I open a PDF in my email on Android?

With most Android phones you may be able to do it without any additional software. Simply open the email containing the PDF attachment and tap on the link. If you have not yet set your standard PDF viewer, you will be prompted to open with any potential programmes that can read the PDF.

Alternatively, you can tap the download icon or link to save the PDF to your device and then open it.

Can I edit a PDF file on my Android for free?
Yes, you can edit a PDF file on your device for free using the Adobe Acrobat app or our online suite of tools. Some advanced features may require a subscription or in-app purchase.
How can I share a PDF file on my Android device?
You can share PDF files from your device in a variety of ways, such as email, private messaging apps or file-sharing services and cloud storage.