App to open PDF

July 20, 2021 Henry Jackson 0 Comments

At work they emailed you a PDF file and you would need to access it even when you are out of the office. Despite your attempts, however, there was no way to open this important document on your devices. So I bet you would like to know more and understand what you need to do to succeed in your intent.

Rest assured, you don’t need to worry anymore! If you have come across this guide then it means that you could find valuable help in the information contained in it. With this tutorial of mine today, in fact, I intend to provide you with all the necessary explanations regarding apps to open PDFs, which considering your situation should be just what you need at the moment. These are solutions that can be used on the most popular models of Android smartphones and tablets and on iPhones and iPads. For completeness of information, then, it will be my pleasure to point out the best applications in the category for Windows and Mac computers.

Don’t worry if you feel that you are not yet familiar enough with the world of technology: my post is full of information written in a clear, detailed and accessible to anyone. With that said, are you ready to go? Yup? Very well! I would say, therefore, not to delay any longer and to proceed. Download and try to use the applications that I am about to recommend to identify the ones that best suit you and your needs. All clear? Very well! Then I wish you a good read and I wish you a very big good luck.

Table of Contents

Index

App to open PDF: Android
- Google PDF Viewer
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Other apps to open PDF on Android
App to open PDF: iPhone
- Books
- Xodo PDF
- Other apps to open PDF on iPhone
App to open PDF: Windows 10
- Microsoft Edge
- Other apps to open PDF on Windows 10
App to open PDF: Mac
- Preview
- Other apps to open PDF on Mac
App to open PDF p7m

App to open PDF: Android

Looking for apps to open PDF and you’re using a smartphone or a tablet Android? Then read on. You will find listed below those that in my humble opinion represent the best apps in the category for the mobile platform in question.

Google PDF Viewer

If you are looking for an app to open PDF on Android, I suggest you try the Google PDF Viewer. The application should already be pre-installed on all devices based on the mobile platform of the “green robot” (if not, it can be downloaded for free from the relevant section of the Play Store ) and allows you to open and view documents in the format in question. Note that its operation is very basic and does not offer any editing features or other advanced features.

Considering that the Google PDF Viewer does not have a real start icon, to be able to use it all you have to do is try to open any PDF file coming from downloads or from any other app. To give a practical example, go to the Download folder of your device using the file manager (eg Google Files ), tap on the PDF file and touch the item relating to the use of the viewer through the proposed menu (if necessary).

After completing the above steps, you will then find yourself in the presence of the Google PDF Viewer screen with the document you intended to open inside. If you want, you can adjust the magnification level using the pinch to zoom, while to search for specific words inside it, just press the button with the magnifying glass and by tapping on the button with the three dots vertically you can access the settings for send the file, print it, etc.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

If you are looking for an app to open PDFs with slightly more advanced features, I suggest you turn to Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is one of the most famous and established solutions in the category. It allows you to open PDF files, but also to insert annotations, highlights, freehand notes, fill in forms and much more. Basically it is free, but to unlock all the features you must subscribe to a paid subscription (at a cost of 10.99 euros/month). There is also for iOS / iPadOS and for Windows and macOS.

To download and install the app on your device, go to the relevant section of the Play Store and press the Install button. If you are using a device on which the Play Store is not available, you can download the app through an alternative store. Then, start the app by touching the relative icon that has just been added to the home screen and/or drawer.

Now that you see the main screen of Adobe Acrobat Reader, tap the Continue button and log in with your Adobe account or create one at the moment by following the instructions on the screen. Then, select the PDF file of your interest from the File section of the app, grant Adobe Acrobat Reader the required permissions and wait for the document to be opened.

After completing the above steps you will finally be able to view your PDF. If you need to adjust the magnification level, you can do it by taking advantage of the pinch to zoom, while to add bookmarks, access sharing options etc. you have to use the appropriate buttons that you find on the toolbar at the top. At the bottom, however, there is the button with the pencil icon that allows you to access the functions offered by the app to insert comments in the document, fill it in and sign it and make changes of various kinds.

Other apps to open PDF on Android

The apps to open PDFs that I have already indicated have not convinced you very much and, therefore, would you like me to point out some alternatives? No sooner said than done! Find them below. I am sure that you will be able to find a solution that will satisfy you.

PDF Viewer & Reader– this is a fairly simple application that only performs basic functionality for reading PDF documents and eBooks. Clearly, it includes all the commands necessary to adjust the zoom, search for texts within documents, etc. Basically it is free, but offers in-app purchases (at a cost of 2.79 euros) to remove the advertisements.
eReader Prestigio– is a reader of files in PDF format, but also an eBook reader that allows you to read digital books in multiple formats and those protected by the Adobe DRM system. It is free, but offers in-app purchases (at the base cost of 1.09 euros) to unlock all the functions offered.
Foxit PDF– free application to open and view PDF files that also offers some advanced features, such as protecting PDF files with certificates, protecting corporate data with Microsoft Intune, signing PDF documents with digital certificates, creating blank PDF files, merging multiple PDF files into a new file etc. It’s free, but the extra features can only be exploited by subscribing to the appropriate subscription (at the basic cost of 11.49 euros). There is also the version for Windows computers and for macOS.

App to open PDF: iPhone

Even if you have an iPhone or an iPad there are several apps to open PDFs that you can consider appealing. To find out which, in my opinion, are the best in the category, read on.

Books

Among the best apps to open PDFs on iPhone and iPad there is certainly Books, the default iOS / iPadOS eBook reader, which, perhaps not everyone is aware of, also allows you to view and edit documents in the object format. this guide. It is pre-installed (if the app has been removed it can be downloaded again and for free from the relevant section of the App Store ) and it is very simple to use. Note that it is also available on macOS.

To use Books, all you have to do is locate the PDF file you want to open, select it, tap the share icon (the one with the square with the arrow inside ) on the next screen and touch the app icon present in the menu that appears.

Once the Books screen is displayed, you will be able to view the reference PDF within it. If necessary, you can use the buttons at the top to adjust the zoom level, search within the text, view chapters, etc. By pressing, however, on the button with the pencil you can access the tools for editing, to add highlights, drawings, etc.

Xodo PDF

Another PDF opening app that you can consider using on iOS / iPadOS is Xodo PDF. It is a tool that allows you to view and edit files in PDF format, including adding texts and modifying existing ones. It is totally free. Note that there is also a version for Android.

To download and install the app on your device, go to the relevant section of the App Store, press the Get / Install button and authorize the download via Face ID, Touch ID or Apple ID password. Then, launch the application by selecting its icon that has been added to the home screen and/or the App Library.

Now that you see the main screen of Xodo PDF, select the PDF file you want to open by acting from the Recent or the Browse section, after which you will find yourself in the presence of the content of your document and you can start viewing it.

If you deem it necessary, you can use the buttons at the bottom to change the type of view, view the pages that make up the document, etc. sharing and exporting and so on. Also at the top are the tools to make basic changes to the document, such as adding text and geometric shapes.

Other apps to open PDF on iPhone

None of the apps to open PDF on iPhone that I have already reported has convinced you in a particular way and would you then like me to suggest other useful resources for the purpose? No sooner said than done! You can find them in the following list.

Notability – excellent application to view PDF files, add annotations on them and to create documents of this type from virtually scratch. It is paid (costs 9.99 euros).
PDF Expert – is regarded as one of the best apps to view and edit PDF files from iOS / iPadOS. It has a nice user interface and offers many interesting features. Basically it is free, but access to all its features, such as that relating to text editing, requires the purchase of the paid version (at a cost of 52.99 euros/year). Note that there is also a version for macOS.
PDF Element– app that allows you to view, edit, annotate, convert and sign PDF documents, all in an incredibly simple and freeway. The counterpart for Android and the one for Windows and macOS computers is also available.

App to open PDF: Windows 10

Now let’s move on to the apps to open PDFs for computers. If what you are using is a PC with Windows 10, you will certainly be happy to know that there are a lot of different applications useful for the purpose, as in the case of the ones I have pointed out below.

Microsoft Edge

You probably weren’t aware of it, but you should know that on Windows 10 you can open PDFs via Microsoft Edge, the operating system’s default browser. The navigator, in fact, can also act as a viewer of PDF documents and also includes several useful tools for editing them. Note that there is also for Android, iOS / iPadOS and macOS.

To use it for your purpose, locate the PDF file you want to open, right-click on its icon, select the Open item with item from the context menu that opens and then the Microsoft Edge one.

The browser window will then open with the PDF inside and you can view the contents of the document. If necessary, you can adjust the zoom, rotate the document, change the orientation of the document, etc. using the appropriate buttons that you find on the toolbar at the top. Also at the top, you will also find buttons to add highlights, drawings and to make other basic changes.

If you have made changes to your document, to save the changes to the current document click on the floppy disk icon located at the top right, while to create a new copy of the document click on the floppy disk and pencil icon.

Other apps to open PDF on Windows 10

If you are looking for other applications through which you can open documents in PDF format on Windows 10, you can consider contacting the solutions part of the category that I have included in the list below.

Sumatra PDF– it is a very light PDF file reader with a basic interface, but it offers a lot of interesting features. In addition to reading documents in the format in question, it allows you to open eBooks in ePub or Mobi format, XPS files and digital comics in CBZ or CBR. It is available in a portable edition and is free of charge.
Nitro Reader– program that allows you to open and edit PDFs by inserting notes, text boxes and other elements. If this may interest you, I would like to point out that it also allows you to create files in PDF format starting from Office documents and images. It’s free.
PDF-XChange Editor– free software thanks to which you can view PDF documents (even multiple files simultaneously thanks to the presence of a practical tabbed interface) in a simple and fast way. It also includes editing functions, which, however, can only be accessed by switching to the paid versions of the software (with prices starting at 40 dollars).

App to open PDF: Mac

If what you are using is a Mac and, therefore, you want to find out which are the best apps to open PDFs in this case, I highly recommend that you continue reading. In fact, you will find them listed below.

Preview

If you are looking for an app to open PDF on Mac, I am happy to inform you that you do not necessarily have to resort to the use of third-party tools. On macOS, in fact, Preview is available, the default application for viewing images thanks to which it is also possible to view PDFs and make basic changes.

To be able to use it, double-click on the icon of the PDF file of your interest or, if Preview is not the default reader, right-click on the latter, select the Open with items from the contextual menu that appears and then the Preview one.

Subsequently, you will find yourself in front of the Preview screen with the PDF you wanted to view inside. If necessary, you can use the commands you find on the toolbar at the top to adjust the zoom level, rotate the document, search for specific terms within it, etc. You can also make simple changes to the document, by clicking on the pencil icon in the circle and selecting the tool for highlighting, the one for adding shapes etc.

If you have made any changes to the document, to be able to save them all you have to do is close the Preview window by pressing the red dot at the top left. If, on the other hand, you want to export the modified file as a new document, click on the File menu at the top left and select the item Export as PDF from the latter.

Other apps to open PDF on Mac

If you are looking for other applications for Mac through which you can open files in PDF format, I suggest you take a look at the resources part of the category that I have proceeded to include in the list below. I sincerely hope that in the end you will be able to find something that will satisfy you.

Skim– this is a free and specific application for macOS that allows you to open and view files in PDF format, as well as make basic changes, such as adding annotations. It integrates with Spotlight and does not burden the system.
SlimPDF Reader– simple software that allows you to open PDF documents, but also to add various comments and annotations. It’s free, has a nice user interface, and it’s easy to use. Note that it is also available for Windows.
PDF Professional– application to view PDF that also includes a whole series of useful functions for adding annotations, signatures and making basic changes. It’s free and easy to use.

App to open PDF p7m

Do you need p7m PDF files? In this case, you must contact specific tools, such as those I have reported in my guide dedicated specifically to programs to open PDF p7m.

It is a type of file, used above all by professionals and officials of the Public Administration, which has the purpose of authenticating a text document or a project with a digital signature.