Start 2025 on time and up to date! Seamlessly integrate your calendars into Dropbox with these simple steps! 📆

Forum Discussion

nigeldesouza's avatar
nigeldesouza
New member | Level 2
3 months ago
Solved

Default PDF viewer on iPad

  1. Is there a way to change the default PDF viewer in the Dropbox App for the iPad? When I click on "Open in" in a PDF, it only shows the option of Adobe, but I use PDF Expert. (In contrast, on my Mac, when I double click on a PDF in my Dropbox folder, it automatically opens in PDF Expert).
  2. If I can't change the default PDF viewer to PDF Expert on the iPad, what is the easiest way to open a PDF from Dropbox in PDF Expert? (Of course I already know that I can start IN PDF Expert and open Dropbox files there from Dropbox, which I have linked to it; but this is for when I happen to have begun from the Dropbox iPad app instead.)
Apple
Dropbox Plus
iOS
  • growthcfo's avatar
    growthcfo
    18 days ago

    There is no way to set a default PDF viewer on an iPad, including using the Files app. 

    I did find a work around however. In Dropbox, I saved the file to my device and then from there I could send it to PDF Expert and open it there.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    3 months ago

    Hi nigeldesouza, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

    Could you attach a screenshot showing the options you're getting exactly when trying to preview files?

    This will help me to assist further!

  • growthcfo's avatar
    growthcfo
    New member | Level 1
    19 days ago

    I have the same exact need. I have PDF Expert installed on my iPad and would like to have Dropbox "open in" PDF Expert and not Adobe Acrobat. Is this possible?

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    18 days ago

    Hi growthcfo, are you able to change the default app for opening PDF files on your iOS device manually, as this was set by your device? 

    You might need to do this from the iOS Files app, according to some brief research I've done.

  • growthcfo's avatar
    growthcfo
    New member | Level 1
    18 days ago

    There is no way to set a default PDF viewer on an iPad, including using the Files app. 

    I did find a work around however. In Dropbox, I saved the file to my device and then from there I could send it to PDF Expert and open it there.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    17 days ago

    Thanks for the update, this should help other users who are experiencing the same behavior on their iOS devices.

    Enjoy your week!

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!