Acrobat Reader Version 2025.001.20458 won't open recent files

Question

For over a week now I've been having an issue open files from Recent. They show up, I select one, and the side tool bar doesn't have an "open" option as it used to. I open two or more, the "open" option appears, but doesn't work. I have to go to my computer's Finder, search for the files there, and open them again. I like the convenience of having recently opened files ready to go. But the search doesn't always work either, I'll type in something I KNOW I just opened, and it won't show up.

I am not a paid member and have no intention of becoming one, I don't need all the functions. I just want a good PDF reader. But Adobe has been going downhill in that department for a long time.

I am on a MacBook Air M1, 2020 with macOS Sequoia 15.3.2. It worked up until a week or so ago, now it doesn't. And don't tell me to try it on multiple devices, I don't have the time for that. This is the device I use so I expect it to work. Not too much to expect, IMO.

AnandSri · Answer

Hello Tanya!

I hope you are doing well, and we apologize for the trouble you had with Acrobat Reader.

Ensure you have the latest version installed. Go to Menu > Help > Check for updates, install any available updates, and restart the machine. To know more about the latest build, see this article: https://adobe.ly/3RrC5tE

Check File Associations: Ensure that PDF files are associated with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Right-click a PDF file, selectOpen With > Choose another app, and select Adobe Acrobat Reader. Check the box for "Always use this app to open .pdf files". See this article for more information: Can't open PDF

For testing purposes, Disable Protected Mode: Disable Protected Mode by going to Acrobat > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and unchecking "Enable Protected Mode at Startup". Restart the app and try again. Please enable the security settings after the test.

If possible, clear the Recent files list. Go to File > Open Recent > Clear Recent Files. You can also reset the app's preferences by quitting Acrobat Reader. Go to: ~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Reader.plist, and delete that file. Restart Acrobat — it will rebuild the default preferences.

Optional: Reinstall Acrobat Reader (Clean Install): This will remove all the listed files from the recent tab. Use the Acrobat Cleaner tool to remove the app, restart the machine, and install Acrobat Reader.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

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