Finding it difficult to change the default PDF viewer app? You’re not alone! This blog post shows you how to switch your PDF opener with screenshots and a short video demonstration.
1. Why Android 14 Handles PDFs Differently
On most Android 14 phones—including those running Samsung One UI 6.0, Xiaomi MIUI 14, Realme UI 5.0, and more—PDF defaults are no longer found directly under the Choose Default Apps section. Instead, these settings are tucked away in an “Opening Links” or “File Intent Manager” menu that designates which apps handle various file types.
Key Point: If you don’t see “Open by Default” for PDFs, don’t panic—it’s likely hidden under your phone’s “Opening Links” section.
How to Instantly Do This
The steps I discovered are different from what you’ll typically find online. On most Android 14 devices, PDF defaults aren’t found under ‘Choose Default Apps.’ Instead, Samsung One UI 6.0 and newer versions place these settings under ‘Opening Links,’ which determines which apps open specific file types. I verified this on my Samsung M33, Motorola G34, and other Android devices
On Samsung One UI 6.0, no direct ‘Set as Default’ option appears for PDFs; instead, you’ll use ‘Opening Links’ for file handling
1️⃣ OpenSettings > Apps.
2️⃣ TapChoose Default Apps > Opening Links.
3️⃣ Scroll through the list and Locate the app currently opening PDFs (e.g., Google Drive, Samsung Notes).
4️⃣ Tap the app, then scroll to Open by Default and tap ‘Clear Defaults’.
5️⃣ Now, open any PDF file—you’ll be prompted to select a new app. Choose Adobe Acrobat, Google PDF Viewer, or Foxit and tap ‘Always’ to make it the default.
This same process applies to other devices as well. Alternatively, you can go to the All Apps list, find the current default PDF viewer, and, on the App Info page, select Set as default. You’ll see the same Clear option here as well, just like in the default apps settings.
How I Changed the Default PDF Viewer App on Android 14 for Various Smartphone Brands:
When I switched my default PDF viewer on Android 14, it took just a few taps. However, the exact steps change a bit on different brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, and Motorola-Sony. Here’s how I did it, and the steps you can follow to change the default PDF viewer on devices from Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, Honor, Motorola, and others. There are three primary methods to change the default PDF viewer on your Android device:
1. General Steps for Android 14 Devices:
his guide shows you exactly how to switch to your preferred PDF reader—complete with screenshots, brand-specific instructions, and a handy FAQ.
Open Settings: I started by going into the Settings app, which is the hub for all changes on Android devices.
Navigate to Apps: Next, I scrolled down and found the Apps or App Management section where all app-related settings are stored.
Tap on ‘Opening Links’: Instead of selecting Default Apps, which I initially thought I had to do, I tapped on Opening Links—this manages how apps open certain file types.
Locate the Current Default PDF Viewer App: Here, I scrolled through the list to find the app currently opening my PDF files (like Google Drive, Mi Browser, or Samsung Notes).
Clear Defaults: I tapped on the app, scrolled down to the Open by default section, and cleared the defaults. This ensured my phone would ask me which app to use next time I opened a PDF.
Choose a New PDF Viewer: After clearing the defaults, I opened a PDF. The phone prompted me to select a new app, and I picked Adobe Acrobat as my new default. I tapped Always to make it stick.
BONUS: Why Default?
Setting a default PDF viewer on Android ensures that your preferred app automatically opens all PDF files, avoiding the need to choose each time. Android selects a default app based on your preferences and settings, making it easier to manage and read documents. If multiple PDF apps are installed, setting one as default simplifies the process by ensuring consistency when opening PDF files.
2. Device-Specific Steps for Popular Brands
Xiaomi (MIUI 14)
On Xiaomi MIUI 14, the process is slightly different from Samsung. Here’s how to switch the default PDF viewer:
1️⃣ Navigate to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps. 2️⃣ Scroll down and tapMi Browser or any app currently opening PDFs. 3️⃣ Tap ‘Set as Default’, then tap Clear Defaults. 4️⃣ Now, open a PDF file, and select Adobe Acrobat or Google PDF Viewer as the new default app.
Honor (MagicOS 7.0)
On my Honour device:
I went to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Opening Links.
Found Google Drive or another PDF viewer and tapped it.
I cleared the defaults and chose my new preferred app, tapping Always when prompted.
Realme (Realme UI 5.0)
For Realme, I did the following:
Navigate to Settings > App Management > Opening Links.
Tapped the current PDF viewer (e.g., Google Drive or WPS Office).
Cleared the defaults and set Foxit as the new PDF viewer.
Samsung (One UI 6.0)
Samsung users can follow these steps:
Head to Settings > Apps > Opening Links.
Locate the current default app (e.g., Samsung Notes or Google Drive).
Clear the defaults and pick a new PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat or Google Drive.
Motorola (My UX)
On my Motorola phone:
I went into Settings > Apps & Notifications > Opening Links.
Found Google Drive or another app handling PDFs.
Cleared the defaults and selected a new app, like Foxit or Google PDF Viewer, setting it as the new default.
How to Change Default PDF Viewer (Even If “Open by Default” Is Missing)
1. Go to Settings > Apps (or App Management):
On most Android phones, you’ll see a list of all installed apps here.
2. Look for “Opening Links” or “Open by Default”:
If Opening Links exists (common on Samsung One UI 6.0), tap that. Otherwise, tap Open by Default.
3. Locate the Current PDF Opener:
This might be Google Drive, Samsung Notes, Mi Browser, or another PDF-capable app.
4. Clear the Defaults:
Under Open by Default, tap Clear Defaults (or Clear). Some phones label it differently, so watch for “Reset defaults” or “Reset app preferences.”
5. Test by Opening a PDF:
Once you clear defaults, open any PDF. You’ll be prompted to pick a new viewer—like Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, or Google PDF Viewer—and tap Always to set it permanently.
Alternative Method (If You Don’t See “Opening Links”):
Go to Settings > Apps > All Apps (or Manage Apps). Scroll to the PDF-opening app (e.g., Google Drive), tap Set as Default, and select Clear Defaults. Then open a PDF, choose a new viewer, and tap Always.
Why It Matters:
A dedicated PDF viewer offers better features like annotation, highlighting, and offline reading. Removing unwanted defaults avoids confusion if multiple apps handle PDFs. This quick tweak saves you time whenever you open or share documents.
Pro Tip:
If Google Drive keeps opening PDFs automatically, go into its App Info page, tap Open by Default (or Opening Links), and clear or disable any PDF-related settings. Then, pick your new app the next time a PDF pops up.
Additional Tips and Considerations
Check Permissions: Make sure your chosen PDF reader has storage or file access permissions.
Disable Drive PDF Viewer (if needed): If Google Drive keeps taking over PDFs, disable or clear its defaults to let another app handle them.
Remove Unused Apps: Uninstall extra PDF viewers to avoid confusion or multiple prompts.
App Managers: Third-party app managers can further customize or override default apps if your phone’s settings are limited.
Best PDF Viewers?
App Name
Play Store Rating
Key Features
User Comments
Google PDF Viewer
4.2/5
Lightweight, integrates with Google Drive, no ads, built-in for most Android devices.
u/joelnodxd: “Google Drive comes built in with a free, perfectly usable PDF reader.”
Foxit PDF Reader
4.6/5
Fast, supports annotations, cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox), no premium model for basic features.
u/SinnPacked: “Foxit is a good alternative to Adobe, lightweight and reliable without pushing for premium subscriptions.”
Adobe Acrobat Reader
4.6/5
Industry standard, supports annotations, cloud sync, but some advanced features behind a paywall.
u/SaintShogun: “Adobe Acrobat fits pages properly on the screen and works great for most needs, but the startup screen is a little annoying.”
WPS Office
4.3/5
All-in-one office suite with PDF viewing and editing, can convert PDFs to other formats, lightweight and fast.
u/Debater111: “WPS Office is not just for PDFs but also covers all types of documents. Great for general use if you want to view different files in one app.”
Xodo PDF Reader
4.7/5
Powerful annotation tools, syncs with cloud storage, supports multiple file types, completely free with no ads.
u/SolidReads123: “Xodo is my go-to PDF app for highlighting and annotating research papers. It’s fast, intuitive, and doesn’t push ads like some other apps.”
PDF Viewer Pro
4.3/5
Simple interface, supports form-filling, night mode, no ads in free version.
u/Lynkr1995: “PDF Viewer Pro is simple but does the job without overwhelming you with features or ads. Great for basic reading needs.”
MuPDF
4.4/5
Lightweight, no bloatware, focuses purely on PDF reading, supports encryption.
u/LightPDFUser: “If you need a barebones app just to read PDFs without any extra bells and whistles, MuPDF is perfect. It’s extremely lightweight and fast.”
u/DocReader: “ReadEra is the best for both PDFs and ebooks. It doesn’t have ads, supports offline reading, and is super fast.”
a table highlighting some of the best free and easy-to-use PDF viewer apps for Android, based on data from forums and user comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I stop Google Drive from opening PDFs by default?
A: Go to Settings > Apps > Google Drive, tap Open by Default (or Opening Links), and select Clear Defaults. Next time you open a PDF, pick another app and tap Always.
Q: Why isn’t there a “Set as Default” button on my Samsung phone?
A: Samsung One UI 6.0 uses Opening Links to control file defaults for PDFs and other formats. You won’t see “Set as Default” for PDFs—just Clear Defaults under the app’s Open by Default section.
Q: Can I have multiple default PDF apps at once?
A: No. Android picks one main PDF handler. If you install multiple PDF apps, you must choose one as the default or select Just Once each time you open a PDF.
Q: Which PDF viewer is best for annotations and highlighting?
A: Xodo and Foxit excel at annotations and markup. Adobe Acrobat also has robust features but might prompt you for premium subscriptions occasionally.
Conclusion
Changing the default PDF viewer on Android 14 takes just a few steps—though the exact method varies by brand. Samsung One UI 6.0 relies on Opening Links, while Xiaomi (MIUI 14) or Realme UI 5.0 let you use ‘Set as Default’ directly. Either way, clearing defaults ensures the next PDF you open prompts you to pick your go-to app. If this helped, please share or leave a comment below!
Author’s Note: These methods have been tested on various Android 14 devices, including Samsung M33, Motorola G34, and others. Results may differ slightly depending on your exact phone model and Android skin. If you found this guide helpful, please share it or leave feedback so others can switch their PDF opener with ease.
That wraps up today’s blog post! I’ve walked you through all the essential steps and techniques needed to switch or change the default PDF viewing app on your Android device. Whether you’re receiving PDF files on WhatsApp or any other app, having a default PDF viewer in place makes everything more convenient and hassle-free.
I hope you found this guide helpful! If it worked for you or if you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments below. Have a great day ahead!
Kunal Kashyap, the tech guru behind FixItKunal.com, Learn and Solve with Backdroid (Youtube Channel), simplifies complex tech issues with clear and user-friendly guides. With expertise in Android, iOS, and more, his tutorials empower users to tackle tech problems confidently. Kunal's engaging style makes technology accessible to both beginners and experts. Beyond tech, he explores psychology and keeps up with tech and business trends awarded by the Government and Namita Thapar.
