pdf viewer safari ipad

How to read PDF files on your iPad.

It can be difficult to read PDFs on an iPad, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn how you can quickly and easily read any PDF on your iPad.

Many people study, annotate , and work remotely on their iPads. Often, this includes editing PDF documents . However, iPads have limited support for PDF files, and you may find yourself wondering what’s the best way to read PDFs on your device.

Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this problem. Here’s how to read PDFs directly on your iPad with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Steps to open and view PDFs on an iPad.

• Download Acrobat Reader from the App Store and install.
• Tap Open or Open in New Page.
• Tap the page and choose Open In.
• Choose Adobe Reader.
• Set Acrobat Reader as the default to open PDFs automatically.

You can now read your PDF and adjust the view and scroll settings to your preferences:

• Select continuous, single page, or automatic reading modes
• Zoom in and zoom out
• Send and print

It gets even easier to read your PDFs as you use the app. Once it knows how to locate your files, you can open them directly from the Home screen.

How to get your iPad to read PDFs aloud.

If you’re accessing a PDF with an iPad, you’re probably on the go, and listening might be more convenient than reading. You can save time and give your eyes a break from the screen when you get your iPad to read the contents of a PDF for you.

One way to do that is to use iPad settings.

• Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content.
• Adjust the settings for Speak Selection, Speak Screen, and other functions.
• Activate Siri and say, “Speak screen.”
• Or, use the shortcuts listed in the Spoken Content menu.

Another option is to use Acrobat Reader settings.

• Open the Acrobat Reader app.
• Navigate to the page you want to hear.
• From the top left menu, click View.
• Choose Read Out Loud.
• Select Read to End of Document or Read This Page Only.

Get more out of your PDFs with an iPad PDF reader.

Of course, getting the most out of your PDFs means more than just reading them. With Acrobat Reader, you can easily add sticky notes and text comments, create bookmarks, fill and sign forms , and more. It also works together with Adobe Acrobat online services to compress PDFs or convert them to different file formats.

Discover everything you can do with Acrobat Reader today.

Can’t Open a PDF in Safari? Here's How to Fix That

There are a few ways to fix Safari if it refuses to open PDFs from the websites you visit. Luckily, every option is quick and easy to follow.

You’ve clicked on a link that should open a PDF in Safari. The link goes through, but you can’t see the PDF—there’s just a gray background.

You can Control-click on the PDF, and your Mac says there’s a PDF there, but you just can’t see it. Refreshing the page doesn’t fix anything, nor does restarting Safari.

I’ve been in this unusual situation before, and I can help you fix it. Read on to see how to view a PDF that Safari won’t open, and how to fix Safari so other PDFs will be visible in the future.

The Quick Fixes

If you can’t see or load a PDF in Safari, one of the easiest fixes is to stop using Safari to try to view the PDF. This means copying the PDF’s URL from Safari and pasting it into another browser, like Chrome or Microsoft Edge ( Edge works very well on Macs , for the record).

If you don’t want to open another browser though, you do have another option.

If you can Control-click on the PDF to download it or click the download button available for the PDF in the Safari window, do so. You can then open and view the PDF in Preview or your preferred PDF-viewing Preview alternative . You can drag the PDF into the Trash if you don’t end up needing it after you read it. And if you do need it in the future, you’ve already downloaded it!

These options work well, but maybe you really just want to be able to open PDFs in Safari. There are ways to do that, too, which we’ll go over in the next section.

How to Get Safari to View PDFs Again

The first place to check when you can’t view PDFs in Safari is your Safari plug-ins or extensions. It’s possible one of them is hiding the PDF from you or affecting Safari in a negative way.

To access your Safari plug-ins or extensions, open Safari > Preferences and then head to the Websites tab. Scroll down the menu on your left, and you should find the Plug-ins or Extensions headings.

Click on any plug-in in this list to see a list of current websites and whether that plug-in is working on the website where you have the PDF open. If it is, set the drop-down menu beside it to Off . Then refresh the PDF, and see if it’s visible.

With extensions, set their drop-down menus to Deny to prevent them from working. Though, if an extension is the root of the problem, it might be worth updating or removing the extension entirely to see if that improves your PDF visibility issues.

But what if you don’t have any plug-ins or extensions in your Safari preferences? Or you’ve demonstrated that they’re not the issue with seeing PDFs in Safari? The problem-causing plug-in might be hidden away in your Mac Library instead.

Specifically, the AdobePDFViewer plug-ins are likely to be the root of your problem. To find these plugins and remove them, so PDFs become visible in Safari again, head to Finder > Go > Go to Folder .

In the search window that appears, type in or copy and paste /Library/Internet Plug-ins . Locate and select all files with AdobePDFViewer in the name in the Internet Plug-Ins Finder window, and drag them into your Trash.

Your Mac may prompt you to input your password or use Touch ID to confirm you want to move these plug-ins. Do whichever you want to ensure those files go into your Trash.

Refresh the Safari window where you’re trying to view a PDF. The PDF should now be visible to you!

Different Safari PDF Visibility Fixes for Different Moments

I was very excited to find several solutions to the invisible PDF problem in Safari, and I hope my findings can help you out too.

Whether you’re happy opening PDFs in non-Safari browsers to save time or are eager to delve into your Mac’s library to improve your workflow in Safari over the long term, the tips above will help you view PDFs online when you need them.

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How to Open and Read PDFs on an iPad

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA . Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 237,104 times. Learn more...

If you've downloaded a PDF to your iPad, you can open and read the file just by tapping its name. If the PDF is longer or you're having trouble opening it in your iPad's built-in PDF viewer, follow this simple guide for opening PDF files in the Books app.

Which app is best for viewing PDFs on iPad?

• Use the Books app on your iPad to open and read PDFs.

• You can use the Markup tool in the Books app to highlight, mark, sign, and comment on PDF files.

• Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white "A" inside).
• Tap Search (the magnifying glass) at the bottom of the screen.
• Type apple books into the search bar and tap the Search key.
• Tap GET or the cloud icon next to "Apple Books" (the orange icon with a white book inside).

• If you're using Safari, the Mail app, or the Gmail app, the PDF should open in a basic readable format. You can swipe left or right through the file to flip through the pages. If you just need a quick glance at the file, this could be enough for you. If you need to do more, keep reading!

• Now that the PDF is saved to your library, you can view it at any time by tapping the orange Books icon on your home screen and selecting the file.

• To view a visual table of contents that lets you quickly switch between pages, tap the PDF once to bring up the toolbar, and then tap the icon of three lines prefaced by three dots near the top-left corner. [2] X Research source
• To bookmark a page, tap the screen once, and then tap the bookmark icon at the top-right corner.

• Tap the undo icon (the curved arrow pointing left inside of a circle) at the top to reverse your changes.
• Tap the back button (the < at the top-left corner) to return to your library. This will save any changes you made in Markup, although you can return to Markup at any point to add or remove markings.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/read-pdfs-ipadca8ec5ef/ipados
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205751

About This Article

1. Install the Apple Books app. 2. Navigate to the PDF. 3. Tap the PDF to open it in a basic format. 4. Tap the Sharing icon. 5. Swipe across the app icons and tap Copy to Books . 6. Tap the PDF in the Books app. 7. Swipe left and right to move through pages. 8. Tap the PDF to bring up the toolbar. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Best apps for reading PDF files on your iPad

The often-disliked PDF is an unusually important file format, as it is one that is often used to preserve a document's format in electronic form. It's so commonly used for everything from digital manuals to contracts and plans that practically anyone with a computer, smartphone, or tablet has needed to read one at one time or another.

The iPad is ideal for reading PDFs, as well as for filling out PDF forms with a signature. With the right app, it's trivial to make any changes to an important document before sending it on to your lawyer, for example.

Given the number of reader apps on the market, there's quite a variety of tools to download and use with the file format. Here, AppleInsider offers its choice of the best App Store apps for getting the detailed documents under control.

iOS and iPadOS

Before we get to the apps, it's worth bearing in mind that you can do a lot of stuff with PDFs within iPadOS and iOS .

For example, if you get a PDF as an email attachment, you can open it in the app. Then, you can use Markup to make edits to the document, such as filling out a form.

You can also open PDFs in Safari , along with the Books app and a few others, and you can even create PDFs in some stock apps.

Admittedly, what you can do with a PDF is a bit basic and takes a fair bit of work to do within iOS and iPadOS itself, which makes it more of an occasional or last-resort option.

A third-party PDF app is arguably the best route to take, but you don't have to take it.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

As the creator of PDF itself, Adobe has a lot to answer for, as well as considerable experience and knowledge about the format. It therefore shouldn't be a surprise that one of Adobe's apps is one of your best options.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free option from the creative tools producer, enabling you to view and add annotations to PDF files with ease. You can add e-signatures to documents, and easily share them with others, as well as fill out forms using its built-in form filler.

With a simple interface, the free reader can cover the vast majority of things you may want to do with a PDF without making full-scale edits or creating new documents.

If you want to do a lot more with PDF files, such as editing text and images, combining files into a single PDF, organizing pages, or exporting PDFs to Microsoft Office file formats, that's available as in-app purchases. But if you're going to just read PDFs or fill out forms, the free offering will be enough for you.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is free to download , with an optional subscription.

Made by Readdle, PDF Expert is a strong and free PDF reader that offers viewing of documents in various ways, as well as text to speech for an audio experience. There's also full text searching, scrolling and zooming, and views in single-page and continuous scroll modes.

Annotation options start with highlighting and extend to strikethroughs, underlines, and even pre-made stamps for "Approved," "Not Approved," and "Confidential," if you want to feel like an important government official.

You can also add comments, make bookmarks, apply stickers, and fill in forms on PDFs with interactive elements. If you have cloud storage available, it can connect to many major services to keep your documents safe.

Again, if you are willing to pay a subscription, you can get extra features including redaction of sensitive data, adding links, edit the original text, sign documents, and a fully customizable favorite tools bar.

The basic app of PDF Expert is free.

Offering a nice and clean appearance, PDF Viewer errs towards consumption rather than editing, but it is still a very powerful app.

You can open and view PDFs with full text search, complete with text-to-speech and a night mode feature for late-night reading.

There are annotation options, including adding notes and highlighting text, images, and audio, as well as signature and form-filling features. You can also create new documents from existing ones by moving, deleting, and adding new pages in the free version.

Again, a subscription plan is available for more advanced features, including replying to notes, combining documents into a single piece, and protecting documents by setting passwords and permissions. This isn't necessary for using the core features of the app, but is a nice addition if you require it.

PDF Viewer is free to download .

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

First released in 2009, GoodReader is a long-time member of the App Store, and one that has managed to secure a great reputation along the way. Like the others, you can read PDFs, but it is also able to handle a wide variety of other file types, including text files, HTML, pictures, music, audiobooks, videos, and even MS Office documents.

You have reading tools like PDF Reflow, which can make the text of a document easier to read on smaller screens without needing to constantly scroll sideways. Annotation tools include highlighting text and adding notes, as well as drawings, which can then be shared with others for collaboration purposes.

The app is able to handle file management as well, collecting together files in one place, including those it cannot open itself. It can even connect to cloud storage services, as well as data stores such as WebDAV, SMB, AFP, FTP, and SFTP.

Unusually, the base app is one that requires purchasing instead of being free, though there is also an additional subscription element as well. Upgrading to the Pro Pack adds in split-screen for reading two documents side-by-side on an iPad, AES-256 encryption, and file synching, among other extras.

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer currently costs $2.99 for the base app, but that is as part of a current 50% discount offer.

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How-To Geek

How to read pdf files on your iphone or ipad.

PDFs are something of a necessary evil.

Quick Links

Use ibooks instead of safari for basic reading, use foxit if you like features, create and convert pdfs with adobe acrobat.

PDFs are something of a necessary evil. Sure, they're a handy way to preserve any document in the style you intended, and can be read on virtually any device...but if your device doesn't have a good built-in PDF reader, finding one can be a pain.

It's no different on an iPhone or iPad. The default method to read PDF files on these devices is using iBooks, which was included as a preloaded app beginning with iOS 8. Sure, you can view PDFs in Safari, but you won't have very many additional options. And while iBooks is sufficient and has some nice features, there are other apps that make reading PDFs downright luxurious, and these can all be downloaded from the App Store.

When you open a PDF file in Safari, you can read it like other web content, but you also have the option to open it in iBooks, which will appear in the upper-right corner of the page. If you have other PDF readers installed, then you could tap "Open in..." instead.

Reading PDFs in iBooks provides three main features. First, you can adjust the brightness.

If you tap the magnifying glass icon, you can search for any word or page number.

Finally, if you want to mark your place in a document or save a particularly interesting location, you can tap the bookmark feature.

If you tap the icon with the three lines in the upper-left corner, you'll see all the pages in the document including the ones you have bookmarked.

Here you see what we mean by this, note, if you wanted to see just the pages you've bookmarked, you could just tap the bookmark icon.

iBooks is great for basic PDF reading. It has enough rudimentary features to make it a lot better than Safari. Still, if you want something with more advanced features, such as text-to-speech or markup capabilities, then you will want to look to other options.

One such option (and probably the best) is Foxit Reader, available in the App Store for free. Foxit is a full-featured PDF reader that puts iBooks to shame.

Aside from giving you the ability to change brightness and search for text, Foxit also has a wide range of view modes.

Best of all, many of these views can be used together. For example, in the following screenshot, we've enable night mode, crop mode, and shown the document as one continuous page.

One of the best features found in FoxIt, however, is the text-to-speech feature. Simply tap on the speaker icon, and FoxIt will read the document to you. This could go a long way towards helping you be more productive. Say for example you boss sends you a long document he or she wants you to go over. You could then just have Foxit read it to you in the car ride home.

You can also read pages as a single column rather than having to pinch to zoom, which is another killer feature. When you tap the button shown in the following screenshot, the entire document will zoom to a single column making it far easier to read.

Then, tap the options at the bottom of the viewer to enlarge or decrease the size of the text as well as advance to the next page or go back to the previous.

Finally, there's markup mode, which will unveil a host of cool options, too many to list here, but for example, you can mark certain parts of a document, highlight passages, and add notes.

FoxIt offers additional in-app purchases, most notably the ability to add cloud drive support for some of the most popular services.

There's much more to Foxit so we urge you to check it out if you're looking for something chock full of features without charging you a nickel.

Finally, there's always the old familiar Adobe Acrobat, which is also available in the App Store for free, but doesn't have nearly the same feature set as Foxit. That said, it does allow you to create PDFs, export them to other file formats, and convert photos to PDF, which is something you can't do with iBooks or Foxit, unless you pay for the "Create PDF for iPhone" addon.

Acrobat provides the ability to bookmark pages, change the view mode, add text markup, search, and more. The markup features are good, but not as extensive as Foxit's.

You can also open PDFs from the Adobe cloud or you can add your Dropbox account to open and save PDFs located there.

Acrobat is suitable for users who are looking for something between the feature-rich Foxit and iBooks. You can still add markup and bookmark locations but you won't have the luxury of text-to-speech or the nice full-screen column view.

However you choose to read PDFs on your iPhone or iPad, whether it's using Safari, iBooks, Foxit, or Acrobat, the fact is you have options, and in fact, there are even more readers available in the App Store for you to explore. So, if you're not exactly thrilled with reading PDFs on your iPhone or iPad because of iBook's limited features, do yourself a favor and check out Foxit Reader or Adobe Acrobat.

8 Best PDF Reader for iPad and iPhone

Whether you are an avid reader or a company professional who constantly finds themselves on the move, PDF reader is a must for you. PDF is a universal format and widely used by eBook writers and companies alike. And why not? They are portable, easy to make, and even easier to share. The trouble is that when you buy a new iPhone or an iPad, the device is not shipped with a PDF reader by default. No, iBooks doesn’t count here even though it may support PDF files.

What you need is a decent solution that is light-weight, packed with useful features like highlighting, bookmarking, dictionary, signing, annotating, and social sharing options on the least. Considering how iPhones and iPads have become the Swiss army knife that all of us carry and use for pretty much everything, you need an app that works right out of the box.

Let’s take a look at some of the best PDF reader for iPad and iPhone (or PDF viewers as some users like to call them).

Also Read:   Best Free Open Source PDF Editors for Windows and Mac

Best PDF Reader for iPad and iPhone

1. adobe reader.

You saw it coming even before started reading this article, didn’t you? Adobe Reader has become an industry standard and for good reason. Adobe pioneered the PDF format. As such, you can expect all the basic features to be there.

The app UI is beautiful and functional. All the features are easy to find and buttons are neatly organized. You can read PDFs either by page or in continuous scroll mode. There is a search bar for searching text. There is the dark mode that has become all the rage.

You can bookmark pages so that you don’t have to remember how far along are you in the story. Links in the PDF will open in Safari browser. Liked something you read? You can highlight the text or add comments/thoughts on it. Professionals will be happy to know that you can fill in and sign PDF docs right on your iPhone or iPad now.

Finally, there is the annotation tool that will let you draw over PDF pages using your fingers or Apple Pencil in iPad Pro. There is also the ability to share your PDF docs with others so that they can view your comments and know what you think.

The Pro version of Adobe Acrobat (starts at $9.99) will let you convert PDF files to Word, Excel, PowerPoint format and merge multiple PDF files into one. I would like to mention the Adobe Scan app here that can scan and convert images into searchable PDF files on the fly.

Install Adobe Reader

2. GoodReader

If you are a bookworm and love reading books, you probably already know about GoodReader. An excellent place to discover new books, read user reviews, and discuss with the community about pretty much everything there is to know about the book.

GoodReader app takes things even further. You can read, annotate, sign and fill in PDF files with the click of a button. Along with annotation, you can draw, highlight text, and bookmark pages inside the PDF. There is support for popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. Plus, you can access PDF files on an eMail and SMB server too.

GoodReader is not only a PDF reader though. You can also play audio and video files and there is support for other popular formats like HTML, MS Office formats, and TXT.

Are you a musician? GoodReader supports handsfree page turns using Bluetooth pedals. I am not aware of any other PDF reader capable of doing it at the moment. A free to use, jam-packed with features PDF reader and creator!

Install GoodReader

3. Foxit MobilePDF

Foxit MobilePDF has long been a user favorite when it comes to PDF readers for iPhones and iPads, and for good reason too. You will find all the features that you could expect from a good PDF reader like the ability to change view type from slide to scroll to thumbnail, robust annotation options, ability to add notes and bookmarks, highlight phrases or entire paragraphs (different colors), and finally fill in forms and sign documents.

Links in PDF files are very common and but some PDF docs come with audio and video files attached. You can use Foxit MobilePDF to listen and watch these files right inside the app.

After Adobe, if there is one app that takes user data seriously, it is Foxit. They developed cPDF or ConnectedPDF format to help share PDF files safely. You can password protect PDFs or use Microsoft Intune  and SharePoint. There is also support for Microsoft Office Suite formats like Word, Excel, etc. along with the ability to zip and unzip files.

Foxit MobilePDF also offers a pro plan, PhantomPDF Business that will allow you to edit PDF files and work with images, audio, and video files inside PDF files.

Install  Foxit MobilePDF

Also Read:   How to Reduce PDF File Size Without Losing Quality

4. Documents by Readdle

Documents by Readdle has a beautiful and functional UI that combines powerful PDF features like reading and annotating, highlighting text, adding comments and notes, and an inbuilt browser that acts as a dictionary.

There is support for all popular cloud storage service providers like Dropbox and Google and then there is support for email, servers, and WebDAV.

You can manage zip archives, use a password to protect docs, fill in forms and sign documents, and read PDFs in split view on your iPad. There is also support for MS Office file formats. You can search for text inside.

Finally, there is built-in support for audio, video, and image gallery formats so you don’t have to leave the app for the same. An interesting feature is the WiFi sync which can be used to send or receive files from mobile to PC/Mac.

Install Documents by Readdle

5. PDF Reader (Kdan)

PDF Reader by Kdan is a relatively new entrant in the market but has made a name for itself in a short time. Apart from viewing, there is support for bookmarks, annotation, and notes and comments. While annotating, you can add all sorts of shapes and even a text box. Filling PDF forms and signing works fine.

There is support for all popular cloud storage services and WebDAV. KDAN have their own cloud-based SaaS product where you can store PDF files, share links with others, and edit files in real time. All of this, of course, for a premium. Creativity 365 will also let you edit PDFs, collaborate with others, share files securely, and offer 1TB of storage. You can also access your PDF files on Mac now. Pricing begins at $2.99/month.

You can add links, images, and audio files to PDF but not video. One nice feature is the ability to view multiple PDF in different tabs, sort of like in browsers. Last but not least, you can add your own watermark to PDF files .

Install PDF Reader (Kdan)

6. iAnnotate 4

As the name suggests, iAnnotate was built to be the best in class PDF annotator app, and not just a PDF reader for iPads and iPhones. The UI is really functional and gorgeous. You can comment, highlight text in different colors, draw using different colors, fill in forms and sign PDF docs on the fly.

Designed to work with iPad Pro using pencil so you don’t have to change anything. Detects automatically. The toolbar is customizable so you can keep tools that you use and need and remove the ones you don’t want. There are cloud and WebDAV support. It is a flatten option that will prevent others from removing your annotations or making any changes.

There is support for other MS Office formats. You can also create and edit PDF files right inside iAnnotate 4. It is a paid app that will cost you $9.99 but is well worth the money.

Download  iAnnotate 4

7. PDF Expert

Another PDF reader from the house of Readdle, PDF Expert is a widely used app with a clean and beautiful UI. Apart from highlighting and taking notes/comments, you can also use strikethrough, underline, etc. to annotate the PDF files. Other features include filling forms and signing documents, cloud support for popular cloud storage services, add stamps, add shapes, draw using fingers or Apple Pencil, and manage bookmarks.

If you are collaborating on a document, there is a handy feature to track changes so you know who is doing what. The pro version, for $9.99, will let you edit text, add and edit images, add links, and redact sensitive data. There is no way to work with audio or video files inside the PDF file.

Install PDF Expert

8. QuickSearch PDF Reader

If your work involves long PDF files and you frequently find yourself searching documents for references and texts, QuickSearch PDF Reader is for you. This is because of its ability to perform searches extra fast and handle large PDF files with ease. When you open a PDF file, the app will scan the entire document in the background, ready to deliver search results when you perform them. Good thinking.

Not only this, if you can’t remember the document you need to search, QuickSearch will search all the PDF files at once to find what you are looking for. Other features like zoom, pan, and page turn work fast and smooth too.

QuickSearch was built to do one thing and it does it well, for a price of $2.99 only.

Download  QuickSearch PDF Reader

There are quite a few PDF readers available in the market and most of them offer similar features packaged in different UI and plans. If you need one that has the best features and reliable, you cannot go wrong with Adobe Reader or GoodReader. If you are looking for quick search-related features, QuickSearch is a good app.

iAnnotate offers the most annotation related options and Foxit PDF Reader has always been Adobe’s competitor. I would suggest you try a few of them and see which one meets your needs.

Also Read:   9 Best PDF Editors That Are Worth Your Money

Gaurav Bidasaria

Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem. He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world. He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.

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How do I set Preview as the PDF viewer in Safari, instead of Adobe Reader X?

I unfortunately have to use Adobe Reader X on my Mac.

In the past, I could set Preview as the default PDF viewer in Safari, but with Adobe Reader X, that option is disabled!

I already know that I can delete Adobe’s plug-in, but I’m pretty sure it will just come back the next time the damn thing auto-updates.

The “right” way is to change that setting, which (at least in previous versions) maintained the setting through updates. How do I do it?

• adobe-reader

• It seems all solutions require root-access :-/ –  Volker Stolz Nov 6, 2012 at 9:00

3 Answers 3

It turns out this is a known issue. Adobe has a knowledge base article that says:

Known issues Reader's Preferences > Internet > Display PDF in Browser is always dimmed To disable Safari integration, delete the AdobePDFViewer.plugin from /Library/Internet Plug-ins To reenable Safari integration, rerun the installer over the current installation. Start the Acrobat/Reader X installer from the original media, and then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.

Hopefully the plug-in doesn’t come back the next time Reader updates.

• Is there a way (e.g. hidden property) to "ungray" this preference setting? –  Stephan Zehrer Sep 3, 2012 at 16:32
• Just an update if anyone stumbles upon this article. I'm running Reader 11.0.07 and the plugin to delete is /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin –  user205336 Aug 18, 2014 at 14:38

What I did was install a later version to reset it using the following steps:

1) Remover Acrobat Reader X 2) Delete plug (AdobePDFViewer.plugin) found at /Library/Internet Plug-ins 3) Go to http://get.adobe.com/reader/ 4) Press "Choose a different version" under "Select your version of Mac OS:" 5) Select your operating system & language 6) Choose & download Reader 9.4 NOT Reader X 10.0.1 7) Install Reader 9.4 7.1) Say no to the extension for safari plug in 7.2) Say no to request to set as default 8) Reboot your system & preview should return to the default

Optional 9) I removed Reader 9.4 using the unistaller found in utilities and then removed any remaining folders left in applications (there was one labelled Adobe)

Hope this helps

• This could work but I want to stay current with the latest version. Thanks. –  Nate Mar 21, 2011 at 7:01

This question is already answered and a possible solution may be found in Adobe's knowledge base article as mentioned in @Nate's post.

However, a non-destructive method to disable Adobe Reader as PDF reader in Safari is to

• Create a new folder /Library/Internet Plug-Ins (disabled)/
• Move the file AdobePDFViewer.plugin-deactivated from /Library/Internet Plug-Ins to the newly created folder.

This way you don't have to reinstall Adobe Reader in case you change your mind later.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged mac adobe-reader ..

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• Read PDFs on an iPad

How to Read a PDF on an iPad

Table of contents.

In today’s digital age, PDF documents are ubiquitous, and for iPad users, knowing how to read PDF files efficiently is crucial. Apple’s iPad has become a versatile device for a variety of tasks, including reading and annotating PDFs. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of PDFs on iPad, covering everything from opening PDFs to the best PDF reader apps, editing, and more. Let’s embark on this journey to unlock the full potential of your iPad as a PDF powerhouse.

What is a PDF?

Before we dive into the specifics of reading PDFs on your iPad, let’s start with the basics. PDF, short for Portable Document Format, is a file format used to present documents, independent of software, hardware, or operating systems. It preserves fonts, images, graphics, and layout, making it ideal for sharing documents across different platforms.

Can iPads open PDFs?

Yes, iPads can easily open PDFs. In fact, the iOS ecosystem is well-equipped to handle PDF files, offering various native and third-party solutions for a seamless reading experience.

Top 7 Use Cases for Reading a PDF on an iPad

• Ebooks and Documents : Use your iPad as a portable library, storing and reading ebooks and important documents.
• Business Reports : Access and review business reports, presentations, and spreadsheets on the go.
• Academic Resources : Students can read textbooks, research papers, and lecture notes conveniently.
• Annotate and Markup : Annotate PDFs with highlights, notes, and drawings for efficient study and work.
• Fill and Sign Forms : Easily fill out and sign PDF forms without the need for printing.
• View Graphics : Enjoy detailed graphics, diagrams, and charts with precision on the iPad’s high-resolution screen.
• Entertainment : Read comics, magazines, and graphic novels for a visually engaging experience.

How to Read PDF Files on Your iPad

Reading PDFs on an iPad is a breeze:

• Use Native Apps : Open PDFs in Safari, Mail, or the Files app. Tap the file, and it will display in a built-in PDF viewer.
• iBooks (now Apple Books) : Transfer PDFs to the Books app via email attachment or iTunes. Tap the file to read.
• Third-Party PDF Reader Apps : Download a dedicated PDF reader app from the App Store, like Adobe Acrobat Reader or PDF Expert, for advanced features.

Key Features of a Powerful PDF Reader for iPad

When choosing a PDF reader app for your iPad, consider these key features:

• Annotation Tools : Highlight, underline, and add notes to PDFs.
• Sync Across Devices : Sync your PDFs and annotations across iOS and macOS devices.
• Cloud Storage Integration : Easily access PDFs stored in iCloud or other cloud services.
• Search and Navigate : Efficiently search within PDFs and navigate using bookmarks and table of contents.
• Edit PDFs : Edit text, add or remove pages, and convert PDFs to different file formats.

Top 3 Tools to Open PDF on iPhone and iPad

• Adobe Acrobat Reader : Free, powerful, and offers extensive annotation tools.
• PDF Expert : Offers advanced features for editing and managing PDFs at a cost.
• Apple Books : A simple built-in option for basic PDF reading and annotation.

How to Read PDF Files with iBooks on iPad

To read PDFs using iBooks (now Apple Books):

• Email the PDF to yourself or download it from a website.
• Open the email attachment or go to the Files app and tap the PDF.
• Choose “Copy to Books” or “Open in Books” to add the PDF to your library.
• Access the PDF in the Books app, where you can read, annotate, and organize your documents.

How to View PDFs on iPhone and iPad

Viewing PDFs on iPhone and iPad is as simple as opening the file from an email attachment, a website, or a cloud storage service. Just tap the PDF, and it will automatically open in the default PDF viewer or the app you choose.

List of 9 PDF Readers

Speechify pdf reader.

Cost : Free to try

Speechify’s PDF reader brings the transformative power of text-to-speech technology directly to the realm of PDF documents. This tool allows users to listen to their PDFs rather than read them, ensuring that dense, text-heavy documents are more accessible and digestible. Among its top features are:

• High-Quality Voices : Converting PDF text into clear and lifelike audio, Speechify offers a range of natural-sounding voices for a genuine listening experience.
• Text Highlighting : As Speechify reads out the content, it highlights the corresponding text in the PDF, enabling users to follow along visually and reinforcing comprehension.
• Speed Control : Catering to individual preferences, listeners can adjust the reading speed, whether they need a quick overview or a deep understanding.
• Navigation Tools : Speechify’s PDF reader allows users to effortlessly navigate through pages, jump to specific sections, and bookmark crucial parts for easy reference later on.
• Offline Access : Users can download and save PDFs within the app, facilitating offline listening and ensuring uninterrupted access to their documents, regardless of internet connectivity.
• AI Cha t: Interact with Speechify’s AI bot in your PDF reader to ask important questions about your PDF.

Overall, the Speechify PDF reader offers an innovative solution for those looking to transform the way they engage with PDF content.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Cost: Free with in-app purchases.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a versatile and widely-used PDF reader for iPad. It offers powerful annotation tools, excellent PDF viewing experience, and seamless integration with Adobe Document Cloud for syncing and sharing PDFs across devices.

Top 5 Features:

• Annotate PDFs with highlights, notes, and drawings.
• Access and view PDFs stored in Adobe Document Cloud.
• Fill and sign forms directly within the app.
• Easily search within PDF documents.
• Share PDFs via email attachment or cloud storage.

Cost: Paid app with a free trial.

Description: PDF Expert is a feature-rich PDF reader and editor designed for productivity. It provides advanced editing capabilities, annotation tools, and the ability to sync PDFs across iOS and macOS devices.

• Edit text, add or remove pages, and convert PDFs to different formats.
• Sync PDFs and annotations across iOS and macOS devices.
• Robust annotation tools for markup and note-taking.
• Organize and manage your PDF library efficiently.
• Support for password-protected PDFs.

Apple Books (iBooks)

Cost: Free.

Description: Apple Books is Apple’s native ebook and PDF reader app for iOS. While primarily designed for ebooks, it also handles PDF documents and offers basic annotation features.

• Basic PDF reading and annotation capabilities.
• Integration with iCloud for storing and syncing PDFs.
• Library organization and collections.
• Supports Night Mode for comfortable reading in low light.
• Easily download PDFs from emails and websites.

Foxit PDF Reader & Editor

Description: Foxit PDF Reader & Editor is a user-friendly PDF reader for iPad that offers essential features like annotation, form filling, and document scanning.

• Fill out and sign PDF forms.
• Scan documents and convert them into PDFs.
• View and manage PDFs stored in cloud services.
• Password protection and document encryption.

PDFelement by Wondershare

Description: PDFelement is a versatile PDF reader and editor that allows you to create, edit, and annotate PDFs on your iPad.

• Edit text, images, and links within PDF documents.
• Annotate PDFs with comments, stamps, and shapes.
• Convert PDFs to various file formats.
• Organize and merge PDFs easily.
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for scanned PDFs.

Xodo PDF Reader & Editor

Description: Xodo is a free PDF reader and editor that provides powerful annotation tools and collaboration features.

• Annotate PDFs with highlights, notes, and shapes.
• Collaborate on PDFs in real-time with others.
• Access PDFs from cloud storage services.
• Organize and sync PDFs across devices.
• Form filling and signing capabilities.

PDF Viewer by PSPDFKit

Description: PDF Viewer by PSPDFKit is known for its lightning-fast performance and excellent annotation tools.

• High-speed PDF rendering and smooth scrolling.
• Annotate with highlights, notes, and drawings.
• Organize and manage your PDF library.
• Integration with cloud services for seamless access.
• Support for JavaScript and interactive forms.

Cost: Paid app.

Description: GoodReader is a comprehensive PDF reader for users who require advanced file management and annotation capabilities.

• File management with the ability to create folders and organize files.
• Annotate PDFs with a wide range of tools.
• Support for viewing various file formats, including HTML and images.
• Extract and merge PDF pages.
• Sync files with popular cloud storage services.

PDFpen by Smile Software

Description: PDFpen is a PDF reader and editor with a focus on precise editing and annotation tools.

• Edit text, images, and pages within PDF documents.
• Annotate with highlights, notes, and shapes.
• OCR for scanned PDFs.
• Add and manage bookmarks.
• Export PDFs to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.

These PDF reader apps for iPad cater to various needs, from basic PDF viewing to advanced editing and annotation. Depending on your requirements, you can choose the one that best suits your workflow and reading experience.

FAQ: Your PDF on iPad Questions Answered

Why can’t i read pdf on my ipad.

Ensure you have a PDF reader app installed, or try opening PDFs in Apple Books or Safari.

Is there a free PDF reader for iPad?

Yes, both Adobe Acrobat Reader and Apple Books offer free PDF reading capabilities.

How can I open a PDF on my iPad and edit it?

Use apps like PDF Expert or Adobe Acrobat Reader to edit PDFs on your iPad.

How do I convert a PDF to an iPad-readable format?

Use online converters or apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader to convert PDFs to compatible formats.

What are the Top 5 Free PDF Readers for iPad?

Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple Books, Foxit PDF Reader, PDFelement, and Xodo PDF Reader.

How do I download PDFs on iPad/iPhone to read offline?

Save PDFs to your device or use apps with offline reading features.

What is the best way to edit PDFs on iPad?

Consider PDF Expert, PDFelement, or Adobe Acrobat Reader for advanced editing.

What are the benefits of reading PDFs on an iPad?

Portability, annotation, efficient reading, and access to advanced features for work and study.

Reading PDFs on your iPad can greatly enhance your productivity and leisure. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply enjoy reading digital content, the iPad’s versatility combined with the right PDF reader app can provide you with an exceptional reading experience. So, dive into the world of PDFs on your iPad and unlock the full potential of this powerful device.

• Previous How to Read a PDF on Your iPhone
• Next How to Read PDFs on Android

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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I can't open PDFs on my iPad from the Safari Browser

I can't open PDFs on my iPad from the Safari Browser. I previously was able to open PDFs and I thought the issue was that I needed to do a softward update, but I just updated to iOS 8.1 and still can't open the PDFs. I click the link and a new tab opens in the browser, but no PDF. The screen is just gray and sometimes not even gray, just blank. Can anyone help?

iPad Air, iOS 8.1

Posted on Nov 10, 2014 4:37 PM

Posted on Feb 12, 2016 9:11 AM

I had the same problem and wanted to share what worked for me. When I clicked to open a .pdf in SafarI, I finally noticed that my iPad seemed to be trying to open it in a new tab.

In Settings > Safari > General > Block Pop-ups was on. I turned OFF Block Pop-ups and I was able to open the .pdf with no problems.

Hope that helps some frustrated soul out there!

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Feb 12, 2016 9:11 AM in response to gbrown08

Nov 10, 2014 5:04 PM in response to gbrown08

Clear Safari, then force close Safari and finally reset your iPad.

Go to Settings>Safari>Clear History and Website Data

Now close Safari. In order to close apps, you have to drag the app up from the multitasking display. Double tap the home button and you will see apps lined up going left to right across the screen. Swipe to get to the app that you want to close and then swipe "up" on the app preview thumbnail to close it.

Next, reset the iPad by holding down on the sleep and home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider if it appears on the screen - let go of the buttons. Let the iPad start up.

Nov 17, 2014 7:06 AM in response to Demo

I didn't have any website data in the Safari settings. Restarted the device but the issue still exists. Any other suggestions? This same issue affects my iPhone 5c. I click the link to open PDFs but the screen is blank and the PDF doesn't open. Sometimes I'll get a blank screen with the "open in iBooks" link but when I hit the link nothing happens.

Dec 15, 2014 8:07 PM in response to gbrown08

I have this issue too. Help please!!

Mar 5, 2015 1:53 PM in response to gbrown08

I had the same issue. Try this:

Go to Settings - General - Restrictions and make sure Websites is set to Allow all Websites.

Jun 3, 2015 5:34 PM in response to Flores70

It worked for me to add the website where the PDF is to my allowed websites. I have restrictions on because of excessive pop ups from some websites I use.

View, manage, and install add-ins for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

When you enable an add-in, it adds custom commands and new features to Microsoft 365 programs that help increase your productivity. Because add-ins can be used by attackers to do harm to your computer, you can use add-in security settings to help protect yourself.

Note:  This article only applies to Microsoft 365 applications running on Windows.

View installed add-ins

You can directly install add-ins from this page or select  More Add-ins  to explore.

In the Office Add-ins dialog, select  My Add-ins  tab.

Select an add-in you want to view the details for and right-click to select  Add-in details  option.

Click a heading below for more information .  

Add-in categories explained

Active Application Add-ins      Add-ins registered and currently running on your Microsoft 365 program.

Inactive Application Add-ins      These are present on your computer but not currently loaded. For example, XML schemas are active when the document that refers to them is open. Another example is the COM add-in: if a COM add-in is selected, the add-in is active. If the check box is cleared, the add-in is inactive.

Document Related Add-ins      Template files referred to by open documents.

Disabled Application Add-ins     These add-ins are automatically disabled because they are causing Microsoft 365 programs to crash.

Add-in      The title of the add-in.

Publisher      The software developer or organization responsible for creating the add-in.

Compatibility      Look here for any compatibility issues.

Location      This file path indicates where the add-in is installed on your computer.

Description This text explains the add-in function.

Note:  Microsoft Outlook has one add-in option in the Trust Center: Apply macro security settings to installed add-ins . InfoPath has no security settings for add-ins.

Permanently disable or remove an add-in

To disable or remove an add-in follow these steps:

Select  File > Get Add-ins . Alternatively, you can select  Home > Add-ins .

In the Office Add-ins dialog, select  My Add-ins  tab.

Select an add-in you want to remove and right click to select  Remove  option.

View or change add-in settings

You can see and change add-in settings in the Trust Center, descriptions of which are in the following section. Add-in security settings may have been determined by your organization so not all options may be available to change.

Select  File  >  Get Add-ins .

Select  More Add-ins > Manage My Add-ins.

Select  Trust Center  >  Trust Center Settings  >  Add-ins.

Check or uncheck the boxes you want.

Add-in settings explained

Require Application Add-ins to be signed by Trusted Publisher      Check this box to have the Trust Center check that the add-in uses a publisher's trusted signature. If the publisher's signature hasn’t been trusted, the Microsoft 365 program doesn’t load the add-in, and the Trust Bar displays a notification that the add-in has been disabled.

Disable notification for unsigned add-ins (code will remain disabled)      When you check the Require Application Extensions to be signed by Trusted Publisher box, this option is no longer grayed out. Add-ins signed by a trusted publisher are enabled, but unsigned add-ins are disabled.

Disable all Application Add-ins (may impair functionality)      Check this box if you don't trust any add-ins. All add-ins are disabled without any notification, and the other add-in boxes are grayed out.

Note:  This setting takes effect after you exit and restart your Microsoft 365 program.

While working with add-ins, you may need to learn more about digital signatures and certificates , which authenticate an add-in, and trusted publishers , the software developers who often create add-ins.

Manage and install add-ins

Use the following instruction to manage and install add-ins.

To install a new add-in:

You can directly install popular add-ins on the page or go to More Add-ins  to explore. 

Select the add-in and select  Add . Or browse by selecting  Store  tab in the Office add-in dialog to find other add-ins to install and select Add for that add-in.

To manage your add-ins:

Select  File > Get Add-ins and from the bottom, select More Add-ins.  Or select  Home  >  Add-ins > More add-ins.

In the Office dialog, select My Add-ins tab. If you are not able to see your add-ins, select  Refresh to reload your add-ins.

Select  Manage My Add-in  to manage and select  Upload to browse and add an add-in from your device.

How to cancel a purchased add-in

If you've subscribed to an add-in through the Microsoft 365 Store that you don't want to continue, you can cancel that subscription.

Open the Microsoft 365 application and go to the Home  tab of the ribbon.

Select  Add-ins  and then select  More Add-ins > My Add-ins tab   to view your existing add-ins.

Select the app you want to cancel and select  Manage My Add-ins .

Under the Payment and Billing section choose Cancel Subscription .

Select  OK and then Continue .

Once that's complete you should see a message that says "You have cancelled your app subscription" in the comments field of your apps list.

Why is my add-in crashing?

Some add-ins might not be compatible with your organization's IT department policies. If that is the case with add-ins recently installed on your Microsoft 365 program, Data Execution Prevention (DEP) will disable the add-in and the program might crash.

Learn more about DEP

Get a Microsoft 365 Add-in for Outlook

Get a Microsoft 365 Add-in for Project

Taking linked notes

If you're looking for Help on linking notes in OneNote to a Word or PowerPoint document, see Take linked notes .

Excel Windows Add-ins

If you're looking for Help on specific Excel Add-ins, such as Solver or Inquire, see Help for Excel for Windows add-ins .

If you're looking for additional help with Excel add-ins using the COM Add-ins dialog box, see Add or remove add-ins in Excel .

Get a Microsoft 365 Add-in for Excel

Need more help?

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Safari User Guide

• Change your home page
• Import bookmarks, history and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark web pages that you want to revisit
• See your favourite websites
• Use tabs for web pages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a web page
• Download items from the web
• Share or post web pages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a web page
• Print or create a PDF of a web page
• Customise a start page
• Customise the Safari window
• Customise settings per website
• Zoom in on web pages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill username and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

See a PDF in Safari on Mac

Safari has a built-in PDF reader that automatically displays PDF documents right in the browser window. You don’t have to download and install a separate PDF reader app.

Open Safari for me

Move the pointer to the bottom centre of the browser window to see controls.