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NN5D64
Participant
April 20, 2021
Answered

Some types of PDF files can only open on laptop

  • April 20, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 2154 views

PDF application files from the government of Canada can’t be opened on Adobe PDF Reader on an iphone or ipad (even with latest update). Please fix that.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dov Isaacs

The problem is very simple. The “PDF forms” in question are really XFA forms which for better or worse are not supported by either the iOS or Android Adobe Acrobat Mobile Reader products. These XFA forms files were created by either LiveCycle Designer or similar non-Adobe authoring tools.

 

FWIW, there are other PDF readers on mobile devices and conventional computers that also cannot open or even worse properly process such XFA forms.

 

This is one of a few situations in which you need to use either a Windows or MacOS-based computer to properly open and fill such forms files.

 

There are not currently any plans to retrofit XFA support into the iOS or Android Adobe Acrobat Mobile Reader products.

 

2 replies

Dov Isaacs
Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
Legend
April 21, 2021

The problem is very simple. The “PDF forms” in question are really XFA forms which for better or worse are not supported by either the iOS or Android Adobe Acrobat Mobile Reader products. These XFA forms files were created by either LiveCycle Designer or similar non-Adobe authoring tools.

 

FWIW, there are other PDF readers on mobile devices and conventional computers that also cannot open or even worse properly process such XFA forms.

 

This is one of a few situations in which you need to use either a Windows or MacOS-based computer to properly open and fill such forms files.

 

There are not currently any plans to retrofit XFA support into the iOS or Android Adobe Acrobat Mobile Reader products.

 

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    N
    NN5D64Author
    Participant
    April 25, 2021

    Hi Dov,

     

    Please escalate this issue and fix it for us as it's very important for users to have a smooth experience throughout the platforms. Adobe is a huge corporation, you guys can obviously do it because it's your company's product. I'm very disappointed because this problem has been there for years. I had to buy a Macbook Pro just to open this kind of PDF file, otherwise I would never have bought a laptop since I can do almost everything on my iPhone and iPad.

     

    This is such a poor experience tbh.

     

    Kind regards!

    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    April 25, 2021

    I personally brought this issue up numerous times over the last number of years. Maybe hearing this from a customer may help change the minds of the Acrobat product managers. Please go to https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/914680-acrobat-reader-for-ios and express your requests and concerns there.

     

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
      N
      NN5D64Author
      Participant
      April 20, 2021

      This only happens when I open application forms from the Canadian government. Screenshot is attached. I'm using iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPad Pro 2020 with latest iOS and iPadOS version.

      S
      Slex5C62
      Participant
      April 21, 2021

      Happens in the US too. Could not file US FBAR tax return on iPad Pro. Many  frustrating unsuccessful attempts. Had  to do on my laptop.

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