Publish Online Document does not open on a mobile device without WiFi

[Dicky Penguin]

I have created a published indesign document that opens correctly when connected to wifi - but if I try to view just using mobile data, it does not work. 
I created a QR code and I can scan the QR code from my phone and it opens all fine. But if I switch off my wifi and just use mobile data, then it does not open on my phone.
I have recerated this issue on multiple devices in multiple locations. But it does not make sense. Even if there is strong data signal it will not open.
What am I missing here? Anybody else had this same issue?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Can you open the document, using mobile data, by entering the URL directly? That is, not via having the QR code scanned and interpreted?

[Dicky Penguin]

No it does not work using just URL either.

Works OK on Phone with WiFi - but not on Phone with Data only

https://indd.adobe.com/view/b57a8eb7-5827-4a83-9cb4-17f0c55dc2bf

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

If there's no issue with the QR code (which could happen at any of several steps, from encoding to reading to interpreting to properly handing off the data to the right app)... then it has to be something with the way your provider's data management works.

My Android device, under Verizon (and a modest data plan), opens that link fine under both WiFi and mobile data.

[Dicky Penguin]

Agree it must be something on the data management side - but it's odd.
I think we have only tested on iPhones so far - so maybe its an issue on apple? 
Good to know it works on Android for you.
QR Code here

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I would look into your phone/data provider first. If entering the info directly into a browser, under mobile data, does not bring up the page... it's something directly in the web/data interface.

There are differences in how iOS and Android handle QR codes, but with that bypassed, it's just data. Look for the resolution at that level.

(The QR code also works fine for me in both data modes.)

[Dicky Penguin]

Ok thanks. It sounds like something I cant control, as muliple users will have the same issue - so I might have to use a different method. But good to know.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Maybe. But this is a simple technical issue. You might try with phones on another provider to either confirm or rule that out, and then take it up with the provider. I can't see a reason there should be any problem.

(Having lots of "friends" with different devices, OSes and providers is an asset for this work... 🙂 )

[Rachel37761806tctb]

Hi @Dicky Penguin,

Did you find another solution? I have the exact same issue as you. I'm planning to share an online interactive PDF via QR code.

Thanks,

Rachel

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

You are unlikely to be successful in this approach, as "complex" PDFs with multimedia elements and interactivity only work properly on Adobe Acrobat Reader — and some large population out there in the wild, especially on mobile devices that would load the PDF from a QR code, use anything but Acrobat. OS-level, browser and third-party PDF readers rarely support anything but simple viewing.

As for the code etc., if the URL works, the code should work. It does appear that some iPhones may not pass the URL along correctly and thus not load the document, but that's unresolved as far as I know. But unless it's reading the URL and opening the PDF in Acrobat... it's a moot point anyway.