Effortlessly View PDFs: Use Chrome's Built-In Android Reader

Tired of juggling apps just to view PDFs on your Android phone? Chrome's new built-in PDF reader simplifies the process. Learn how to easily open, annotate, and manage your PDF documents directly within the Chrome browser on Android.

Ditch clunky third-party apps: Chrome now natively supports PDFs

For a long time, Android users needed a separate app to view PDFs in Chrome. But those days are over! Chrome now has native PDF support, streamlining your workflow. However, native PDF support in Chrome is only available for Android versions 15 and 16.

• Benefit: No more switching between apps – everything happens seamlessly in Chrome.
• Benefit: Save precious storage space by eliminating the need for extra PDF reader apps.

How to instantly open PDFs in Chrome on your Android device

Opening PDF files is now incredibly easy. Here's how to view PDF files directly in Chrome on your Android device:

1. Find your PDF: Navigate to a website containing the PDF file you want to view.
2. Automatic opening: Chrome will instantly display the PDF within the browser window.
3. Enjoy seamless viewing: No downloads or prompts to use external apps!

Zoom, search, and open with other apps: Mastering Chrome's PDF tools

Chrome's native PDF viewer isn't just about opening files. It also gives you a surprising number of tools.

• Zoom & Navigate: Pinch to zoom in and out for comfortable reading.
• Find in Page: Quickly search for specific words or phrases using the "Find in page" feature within Chrome's menu.
• Open With: Still want to use another app? Choose the "Open with" option to launch the PDF in your preferred reader.

Annotate PDFs Directly in Chrome: Highlight and draw with ease

Need to mark up a document? Chrome's built-in PDF editor lets you annotate on the go:

1. Edit Mode: Tap the pencil icon to enter the editing screen.
2. Highlight & Draw: Use the tools to highlight text or draw directly on the PDF.
3. Save Your Changes: Save a copy of the annotated PDF with a simple tap.

Older Android Versions? See PDF files using an alternative browser.

If you are using older Android versions of 14 and below;

• Install another browser: Consider using browsers like Microsoft Edge or Firefox for in-browser PDF viewing.
• Limitation: Unfortunately, you won’t have access to the built-in PDF editor that Chrome on Android natively offers.