Known Participant

Question

Cannot fill or print a secured pdf using iPhone Mobile App

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
May 25, 2021
5 replies
17363 views

I have pdf files that I create using Microsoft Word, then save as a pdf uisng AcrobatPDF Maker. I then add form fields, with embedded fonts, using Acrobat Reader DC and protect the pdf using the Edit PDF Tool's Restrict Editing option. I then verify using Document Properties' Security Tab that printing, filling and signing of the form are all allowed.

When I open the pdf in Acrobat Reader Mobile, the fields are not fillable, though the text in the fields is visible and appears to be flattened into the document. When I click on the Fill&Sign tool, I am met with an error message that says "Protected document The tool is not available becaue the document is password protected."

When I attempt to print, I get an error saying "Printing protected files is currently unsupported."

Is the Acrobat Reader Mobile app unable to handle adobe pdf security yet? Or do I need to create/secure my pdfs differently to prevent background images from being exported but allow the app to fill and print?

I have an iPhone 11 Pro, with the latest software update (Software Version 14.6) and the latest Acrobat App (Version 21.05.00). I have a windows 10 pc with the latest acrobat reader dc 21.001.20155.

C

coyote.spark

Participating Frequently

Three years later! This is still an issue. I have had multiple clients run into this roadblock with forms I have designed using these exact same settings. As of today, I can verify that the forms are fillable on my Android device (Acrobat app), Windows desktop, and on the iPhone's default PDF viewer. However, two of my clients who are using iPhone are saying their forms appear flattened an say "Read-Only", despite the security clearance being set to allow Comments, Signatures, and filling in Form Fields. These are two completely unrelated documents and clients. One client is using the Acrobat App. I'm not sure what the other is using.

Amal.

Community Manager

Hi @coyote.spark

I hope you're doing well!

Thank you for reaching out. Could you please ensure that both clients are using the latest version of the application? They should check for any pending updates in the App Store (iOS) or the Play Store (Android).

Please keep us updated on how things progress.

~Amal

S

Scott38840742is2y

Participant

My Actrobat app will let me fill out a form, but then some of the information vanished. If I click on the field, it reappears, only to vanish once again when I click off. Also, the Protect feature seems to be nonexistent as I cannot lock my filled out PDF.
Good stuff guys!
Keep the fun times going

T

Tristan28353108rcm5

Participant

Dec 22, 2023

This is still an issue. Which seems very strange, an Adobe created PDF will not function correctly with an Adobe PDF reader app....

S_S

Community Manager

Hi @Tristan28353108rcm5,

We did ship out some changes to the Fill & Sign workflow.

Would you mind updating the application to the latest version and letting us know if you are still experiencing the issue?

If yes, a screen shot of the error along with a sample file to test would be great.

Thanks,

Souvik

G

gingernutcreative

Participant

Well we are at Jan 2023 . . all softwares are running latest versions, however when I apply a password to the file to protect it, all the form fileds become dead and cannot be filled in on iPhoneXS Max and iPad Pro!!!!

SOLUTION?

G

gingernutcreative

Participant

And just to follow on from the above, when trying to save the password protected file on the iPad, iPhone and iMac when you then try open it up again, quiet rightly it asks for the password again, yet it doesn't accept it and won't open the file!

S_S

Community Manager

Hi @gingernutcreative,

Sorry for the trouble.

Would you mind sharing a sample file with us for testing and further investigation?

Thanks,

Souvik.

K

Kyle1639

Participant

8 months later this appears to still be an issue, even with the most recent version of Acrobat for iOS (21.11.00). I have a PDF that specifically allows form filling, though has other security measures applied (no changing the document). It works fine on PC, but on iOS it will not allow the fields to be typed in.. either normally or by using "fill and sign".

H

Helmi25223302mprp

Participant

Same issue. I restricted content copying access and enabled form fills and printing. It works just fine when opened on Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, but not on Adobe Mobile app on iOS.

S_S

Community Manager

@Helmi25223302mprp Hi,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention again. Would you mind sharing a few details for us to check on it?

1. The application version you are using;

2. The iOS version your device is running;

3. A sample file for us to test further.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Souvik.

Ria Tagra

Inspiring

Hi @kasey2 ,

Hope you are doing well.

Thank you for posting your query here. Please help me with few details to understand your issue better.

Is this an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs?
Please try with a different PDF file and check.

You need to check the document's properties using the desktop application (it cannot be checked using the mobile app). Open the document>Right Click on the document>Document Properties> Security>Printing If its "Allowed" then there should be any problem and if printing isn't "Allowed" then you need to change the document's security settings to be able to print it.

Note: In order to edit the document, you need to be the creator of the document.

How to change the security settings-

In Adobe Acrobat, choose File > Properties.
Switch to the Security tab.
Besides the Security Method list, click the Change Settings button.
Type the Permissions password in the Enter password box and click OK.
In the Password Security - Settings dialog that appears, you can change or switch off the security settings for the document.

Modify the security settings in the Password Security - Settings dialog:
To remove all security from the document, disable the Restrict editing and printing of the document. A password will be required in order to change these permission settings. option.
To allow copying of text, images, ... select Enable copying of text, images, and other content; to prevent copying, clear the checkbox.
To enable document assembly features, from the Changes Allowed list, select Inserting, deleting, and rotating pages; to disable them, select None.

If that doesn't work you can share the document with us via document cloud.

Let us know how it works at your end. If you have any further queries please feel free to reach out to us.

Regards

Ria

K

kasey2Author

Known Participant

Ria,

Thanks for your response. It is all secured PDFs, and I have verified the security settings.

Printing: Allowed

Changine the Document: Not Allowed

Document Assembly: Not Allowed

Content Copying: Not Allowed

Content Copying for Accessibility: Allowed

Page Extraction: Not Allowed

Commenting: Allowed

Filling of form fields: Allowed

Signing: Allowed

Creation of Template Pages: Allowed

By your message, I'm assuming that the Acrobat Reader Mobile app SHOULD allow printing of a secured document, where printing is explicitely allowed, and the filling of forms on a secured document, where filling of form fields is explicitely allowed? And that I should not be receiving an error saying "Printing protected files is currently unsupported."? And that I should be receiving an error message that says "Protected document The tool is not available because the document is password protected."

I have created a new PDF for your review so you can see what the problem is, and it is attached. Pasword is test.

Kasey

test_5x7.pdf