Cannot fill or print a secured pdf using iPhone Mobile App

Report · May 25, 2021

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.

Report · May 28, 2021

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

Report · May 28, 2021

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

Report · May 28, 2021

Remove the protection and you can fill and print the form in Acrobat Reader on mobile devices.

Report · May 28, 2021

Yes, you are correct. When ALL security is removed, printing and form filling are allowed. When security is set to explicitely allowing printing and form filling, printing and form filling do not work. I'm hoping Adobe can get to the bottom of it, as it is a major issue that my PDFs do not work with the app, and I beleive in reading Ria's response that printing and form filling actually should work when security is set to allow it, and there must be some other issue with the PDFs I create that are preventing the app from functioning as she believes it should.

Report · May 28, 2021

I should also mention that in Acrobat Reader Mobile, the PDF shows that it is "Read Only". I've emailed the file and saved it directly to my phone in files and accessed it directly through Acrobat Reader Mobile app, and I've also accessed it in Acrobat Reader Mobile through my one drive. Both versions show up as "Read Only". No "Read Only" setting is applied to the file through windows 10.

Report · May 28, 2021

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in response.

Are you still experiencing issues in printing a password-protected file?

If yes, please let us know what happens when you try to print a password-protected PDF? Do you get any error messages? If yes, please do share the screenshots.

Share the application and OS version with us. Also, let us know the exact workflow you follow to print the password-protected file. There is a recently updated Adobe Reader Mobile application in-app store. Please make sure you are on an updated version of the application.

Latest Adobe Reader Mobile Version for iOS: 21.05.1

Let us know if you need any help.

Regards,

Ria

Report · May 29, 2021

Ria,

Thanks for your help. I have attempted to answer your questions as concisely as possible.

Are you still experiencing issues in printing a password-protected file? YES

If yes, please let us know what happens when you try to print a password-protected PDF? Do you get any error messages? If yes, please do share the screenshots. I get the error "Printing protected files is currently unsupported." I have shared a PDF for you to review in on of my last messages, and I have now shared screenshots.

Share the application and OS version with us. 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.

Also, let us know the exact workflow you follow to print the password-protected file. Click "...", Click Print, Get Error.

There is a recently updated Adobe Reader Mobile application in-app store. There is a 5 day old update for my phone, it is installed. It is 21.05.00.

Please make sure you are on an updated version of the application. I am on the latest version of the application.

Latest Adobe Reader Mobile Version for iOS: 21.05.1 If there is a version 21.05.1, it has not been released to the app store for my phone, iPhone 11 Pro, with the latest software update (Software Version 14.6). Please confirm.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Kasey

Report · Jun 02, 2021

Ria,

When will "Adobe Reader Mobile Version for iOS: 21.05.1" be made available in tha Apple App Store?

Latest version is Version 21.05.00:

‎Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF Maker on the App Store (apple.com)

Anxiously awaiting the update if it fixes the inability to fill forms and print a pdf secured with acrobat reader dc security.

Kasey

Report · Jun 04, 2021

Hi All,

Hope you are doing well.

We don't have that feature for mobile applications at present. We cannot print password-protected pdf in Android/iOS devices. Thank you for highlighting this to us. It's in a future enhancement pipeline. You will get an official announcement as well as a notification when this will roll out.

You can use the following link to share your feedback/raise a new feature request to the product team directly: https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

Thank you for your time and cooperation.

Regards,

Ria

Report · Jan 13, 2022

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".

Report · Jul 19, 2022

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.

Report · Jul 20, 2022

@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.

Report · Jul 20, 2022

1. My Acrobat version is 22.06.00
2. My device just got updated and is now running iOS 15.6.
3. Please find enclosed. There are many interactive buttons on my document, but every time I click on one of them, it won't respond. External link I made with Forms at the bottom of the last page seemed not to work either.

Report · Jan 25, 2023

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?

Report · Jan 25, 2023

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!

Report · Jan 25, 2023

Hi @gingernutcreative,

Sorry for the trouble.

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

Thanks,

Souvik.

Report · Jan 25, 2023

Here we go . .

Passwords used for this sample file are:

password1 - set to open file
password2 - set to fill in/print file

Peter Dunkley (Creative Lead)

---------------------------------------------------------
[PII removed by moderator]

This e-mail (and any attachments it may include) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of Ginger Nut Creative unless specifically stated. If you have received this email in error, please delete it from your system immediately. You may not copy or disclose any of the information within or attached to this email to anyone else, please notify the sender immediately.

Report · Jan 25, 2023

Hi @gingernutcreative,

Would you mind sharing the file by replying here in the community? The attachments you share through Email do not reflect your reply.

Thanks,

Souvik.

Report · Apr 05, 2023

I just realised after writing a guide. Assuming Adobe's own app can support form filled with a password locked file. Unfortunately even with the lowest setting, it still removed all form fields and create an un-fillable "read-only" file.

This is rather silly for files where information are sensitive and should not be allowed modification. Adobe's own app does not perform where it should be. A dummy page with a few form field should had been a straight forward tester on Adobe's end. Why no one test and follow up with this feature? Not yet a solution for the product's intent, rather silly.

Report · Dec 22, 2023

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....

Report · Dec 24, 2023

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

Report · Aug 30, 2024

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.

Report · Sep 04, 2024

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

Regards
Amal