Why is my Ipad Adobe Reader kept saying that my doc is read only version

[jasondash]

hello everyone,

I use my Ipad to read and edit documents. Recently, I updated the software to the latest version IOS version.

The problem is that ever time I use the reader, the app will prompt me by saying that the document was a “read only“ version and requires me to create a local copy. What’s worse is that after creating a local copy, the same problem arises after awhile

All these problems doesn’t exist before the update and I am Sure that the documents are not “read only version”. Appreciate any help here!

[Francis26752969va4d]

Hi, I'm having the same problem. Is there a solution that can be replicated easily so that I can do it myself?

Thanks. 

[Aron263400113een]

Hi there! I'm having the same issue with some fillable forms our company uses. They're fine on computers, but not on the iPads our company uses. How can I get around this issue?

[S. S]

Hi @Aron263400113een,

I checked the details of the file and checked that the file is secured with limited permissions allowed to make changes.

There are limitations between the desktop and mobile versions of the application. If the document has been protected, you won't be able to make changes to the mobile version.

Hope this clarifies your situation.

-Souvik.

[maffk]

Hi Souvik

So, is there a workaround to this limitation?

We provide our customers with PDF copy of our document, which would like to keep secure, but allow them to add comments and print. We have already received several complaints.

Thanks

Matt

[S. S]

Hi @maffk,

What workaround I would suggest would be to convert the original file using the desktop version of the application to a more optimized pdf version and then share it with the end customers. 

Hope this helps. 

-Souvik

[maffk]

Hi Souvik

Doesn't optimizing the PDF just make the file size smaller. It won't make the commenting possible if we still apply security settings to the PDFs, would it?

Thanks

Matt

[S. S]

Hi @maffk,

This is just a workaround to get by the limitation as the mobile version for Acrobat Reader (Android and iOS) do not have the ability to make changes to security enabled PDFs (even if making adjustments are allowed).

Regards,

Souvik.

[maffk]

Hi Souvik

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

What is the workaround for exactly, if it doesn't enable commenting on secured PDFs?

Regards

Matt

[S. S]

Hi @maffk,

The workaround suggested was to optimize the PDF such that the security is disabled on the file to make them editable on mobile devices.

-Souvik

[maffk]

Hi Souvik

Thanks. We are able to remove the security settings from our PDFs without optimizing them. However, that is not really what we want to do. We want to keep the security settings, but enable our customers to add comments, bookmarks, highlights etc., to the PDFs. I realise that is not currently possible with the mobile apps, but if you could feed that back as a feature request, that would be much appreciated.

Regards

Matt

[S. S]

Hi @maffk,

Thank you for your kind understanding.

We would be happy to have your feedback on our application: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/

-Souvik

[Heather27473656txk6]

I Noticed the app has updated and I'm not able to make notes on my attachments with my Apple Pencil.  I went ahead and paid for a premium thinking that would fix the issues.  I need this feature so that I'm able to work accurately.  Can we please get this feature back on the comments tab. 

[S. S]

Hi @Heather27473656txk6,

Thank you for writing in! Would you mind sharing a screen recording of the workflow you are referring to so we can understand the issue and assist you better?

Regards,

Souvik.

[jenniferl20391402]

Hi, I am also having this problem. My form is not fillable on mobile because I have SOME restrictions set upon export (mainly just so the users don't edit the words of the form, which has happened). This function has worked fine in previous forms, so can you please fix this issue in Acrobat mobile?

[Liwen28697519cagd]

Hello, I'm having the same issue with trying to fill this fillable Govt form. It is editable on my Mac but when I transfer it to my iPad, it becomes Read-Only. The document is the Canadian Revenue T2200 form at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/t2200.html with the filename of t2200-fill-22e.pdf

[S. S]

Hi @Liwen28697519cagd,

I checked with the file and the reason was because of the architecture of the file.

Would you mind trying to fill the file on the web portal: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/home/

Let us know if the file does not work there and I would forward it to the team for further investigation.

Look forward to hearing from you.

-Souvik.

[Liwen28697519cagd]

hello Soouvik,

    This is a confidential tax form and I'm not going to fill it on a public web portal. I need to download the file to my iPad, fill it there, sign it and send it to the Canadian Revenue Agency. Why is the form not fillable after downloading to an iPad?

[S. S]

Hi @Liwen28697519cagd,

When you open the link, that is Adobe's web portal, where you would need to log in with your credentials to use the tools.

Since the files are read-only to avoid any changes to the format, they are not fillable on the mobile version of Reader. 

The sa,e feature is available on the web and desktop versions.

-Souvik

[Liwen28697519cagd]

Hello Souvik,

    I think we're getting my question misinterpreted here. I know I can edit the document on my Mac and on the Adobe website but I don't want to do that. The reason I want to work on it on my iPad is so I can sign the document using the Apple pencil. The question is why is the document editable on the Mac but not on the iPad and can it be fixed so that I can edit and sign the document on my iPad. 

[S. S]

Hi @Liwen28697519cagd,

Thank you for getting back. 

The option you are referring to is in the pipeline to get implemented in future updates.

To speed up the process, would you mind adding your feedback here: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/

This ensures that your feedback reaches the product team, so they can look into it and try to implement it as soon as possible.

Hope this helps.

-Souvik.

[Sonny29485858899a]

I just encountered the same problem in 2023

Can anyone help?

I'm logged in on both my MacBook pro and iPad Pro trying ot access a password secured PDF from my accountant.

When I attempt to Digitally Sign the authorization document the error states the following on the iPad Pro.

However I am able to digitally sign it on the MacBook Pro.

Why is it not allowing me to digitally sign it on the iPad Pro?

Help!

[S. S]

Hi @Sonny29485858899a,

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for your experience with Acrobat Reader Mobile.

The above error is a limitation of the mobile version of the application when working with secured or read-only files.

Our team is working on it, and we have the enhancement in the pipeline for the upcoming releases.

While I understand this can be frustrating, I request your kind understanding while the feature is rolled out.

Please share your feedback here: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/

-Souvik

[Sonny29485858899a]

Thank you for the update.

I hope this issue is resolved sooner than later since secure digital document and digital signatures are vital in bisiness and transactions.

[S. S]

@Sonny29485858899a You can still sign using your digital certificates if the file is sent to you using the request e-signatures feature on Acrobat.

To do so, you will need the Acrobat Sign for mobile app.

You can learn more here: Sign with Digital Signatures — Adobe Acrobat Sign for iOS

-Souvik

[Jon30369643ua2j]

I have exactly the same problem. What is the point of the app for iPad if it doesn't have most basic functionality? We used confidential PDF forms everyday that require signing and other data to entered without changing the form. It's absurd this cannot be done on an iPad in 2023.