The simplest way to open a PDF

A PDF is a file format that displays text, images, and layouts the same way on every device — whether you open it on a phone, tablet, or computer. To open one, you find the PDF file on your device and double-click it (on a computer) or tap it (on a phone or tablet). Your device will open it in whatever program is set as your default PDF reader.

On Windows computers, this is usually Microsoft Edge or Adobe Acrobat Reader. On Mac computers, it is usually Preview. On iPhones and iPads, it is usually Apple Books or the Files app. On Android phones, it is usually Google Drive or a built-in PDF viewer. The file opens in seconds, and you can read, scroll, and search through it right away.

If nothing happens when you double-click or tap a PDF, or if it opens in a program you do not want to use, you can change which program opens it. This is called setting a default process, and the steps differ depending on your device.

Key Takeaways

  • A PDF file opens automatically when you double-click it on a computer or tap it on a phone, using whatever program your device has set as the default.
  • Windows computers usually open PDFs in Microsoft Edge, while Macs use Preview and phones use built-in apps like Apple Books or Google Drive.
  • If a PDF does not open or opens in the wrong program, you can change the default by right-clicking the file and selecting "Open with" on Windows or "Open with" on Mac.
  • You can also drag a PDF file directly onto a program icon to open it in that program one time without changing your default.

Opening a PDF on Windows

On a Windows computer, find the PDF file in File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar). Locate the PDF you want to open and double-click it. It will open in Microsoft Edge by default, unless you have changed your settings. Edge lets you read, zoom in and out, search for text, and print the PDF.

If you want to open the PDF in a different program — such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer — right-click the file. A menu will appear. Select "Open with" and then choose the program you want to use. If the program you want is not listed, select "Choose another app" and browse for it.

To make a different program your default for all PDFs, right-click any PDF file, select "Open with," then choose the program. At the bottom of the menu, check the box that says "Always use this app to open PDF files." From that point on, all PDFs will open in that program when you double-click them.

Opening a PDF on Mac

On a Mac, find the PDF file in Finder (the blue face icon in your dock). Double-click the PDF. It will open in Preview, which is the default PDF reader on Mac. Preview shows you the full document and lets you zoom, search, and annotate (add notes or highlights) to the PDF.

If you want to open the PDF in a different program, right-click the file and select "Open With." A submenu will show you the programs available on your Mac. Choose the one you want. To change your default PDF reader permanently, right-click a PDF, select "Open With," choose the program you prefer, then click "Change All." Every PDF will now open in that program.

Opening a PDF on iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, PDFs usually arrive as email attachments or downloads. When you receive a PDF in Mail, tap and hold it, then select "Save to Files." This saves it to your device. You can then open the Files app (the folder icon), navigate to where you saved it, and tap the PDF to open it.

If you read a PDF from a website, tap the read button, then tap "Save to Files" and choose where to save it. The PDF will open in Apple Books or your device's default PDF viewer. You can also open PDFs directly from email, iCloud Drive, or Google Drive by tapping them — they will open in whatever app your device has set as default.

To change which app opens PDFs on iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, scroll down to find the app you want to use as default (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Google Drive), tap it, and look for an option to set it as your default PDF viewer. Not all apps offer this option, but the major ones do.

Opening a PDF on Android

On an Android phone or tablet, PDFs usually come through email, downloads, or cloud storage like Google Drive. When you receive a PDF in Gmail, tap it and it will open in Google Drive or your device's default PDF viewer. If you read a PDF from a website, open your Downloads folder (usually accessible from your file manager or notification panel) and tap the PDF.

If the PDF does not open, or opens in an app you do not want to use, tap and hold the file. Select "Open with" and choose a different app. To change your default, open Settings, go to Apps or Applications, find the app you want to use (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader), tap it, and look for "Default apps" or "Set as default." The exact steps vary by phone manufacturer, but the principle is the same.

What to do if a PDF will not open

If you double-click or tap a PDF and nothing happens, the file may be corrupted, or your device may not have a PDF reader installed. Try opening the file with a different program. On Windows, right-click and select "Open with" to see what programs are available. On Mac, use the same right-click method. On phones, tap and hold the file and select "Open with."

If no PDF reader is available, you can read one for free. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. Google Drive can open PDFs on any device with a web browser. Microsoft Edge (on Windows) and Preview (on Mac) are already built in and do not need to be downloaded.

If the PDF file itself is damaged and will not open in any program, the file may have been corrupted during read or transfer. Try downloading it again from the source, or ask the person who sent it to you to resend it.

Opening a PDF from email or the web

When you receive a PDF as an email attachment, you do not have to save it first. On most devices, you can tap or click the attachment directly and it will open in your default PDF reader. On Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail, look for the PDF attachment and tap or click it. The PDF opens in a new window or tab.

When you read a PDF from a website, your browser will either open it automatically or ask you where to save it. If it asks, choose a location you will remember, such as your Downloads folder or Desktop. Once saved, you can open it anytime by finding the file and double-clicking or tapping it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF open in a web browser instead of a PDF reader?

Your device may have a web browser set as the default for PDFs, or the PDF came from a website that opens PDFs in the browser automatically. To change this, right-click the PDF file (on computer) or tap and hold it (on phone), select "Open with," and choose a dedicated PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview.

Can I open a PDF without downloading it?

Yes. If the PDF is in an email or on a website, you can often open it directly in your browser or in Google Drive without saving it to your device. On Gmail, click the PDF attachment to preview it. On a website, right-click the PDF link and select "Open in new tab" to view it without downloading.

What is the difference between opening a PDF and downloading it?

Opening a PDF means viewing it temporarily in a program on your device. Downloading means saving a copy of the file to your device so you can access it later. Most PDFs you open are also downloaded automatically to your Downloads folder, even if you do not notice.

Do I need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open PDFs?

No. Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android all have built-in PDF readers that work fine for reading and searching. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and adds features like annotation and form-filling, but it is not required. Use whatever program came with your device unless you need those extra features.

Can I open a PDF on my phone if I do not have much storage space?

Yes. You can open PDFs stored in cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud without downloading them to your phone. Open the cloud app, find the PDF, and tap it to view it. The file stays on the cloud server and does not take up space on your device.