# How can I figure out how to change default pdf reader on my phone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Tags:** scanned\ **Created:** [November 4, 2026, 10:57am UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85 "2026-11-04T10:57:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![olivial](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@olivial](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/olivial)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 10:57am UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/1 "2026-11-04T10:57:32Z")
Every PDF I tap on my phone still opens in the wrong app, and I can’t find the setting to pick a different default reader. How do I change that? ---
**Author:** ![ashley.cardiff](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/ashley.cardiff/32/31_2.png) [@ashley.cardiff](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/ashley.cardiff)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 10:58am UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/2 "2026-11-04T10:58:29Z")
That is annoying when the same unwanted app keeps opening. On Android I would go to Settings, Apps, tap the app that opens now, then tap “Open by default” and “Clear defaults”. The next time you open a PDF, it should ask which app to use. Honestly, on iPhone there usually is no single default, so use Share or Open In and pick your reader. ---
**Author:** ![cameron2002](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/cameron2002/32/22_2.png) [@cameron2002](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/cameron2002)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/3 "2026-11-05T16:25:24Z")
Android or iPhone? On Android: 1. Go to Settings, Apps, find the app that keeps opening your PDFs. 2. Tap Open by default and hit Clear defaults. 3. Tap a PDF again and it should ask which app to use, pick your reader and choose Always. On iPhone there’s no default setting, you just use the share sheet and pick Open in each time. ---
**Author:** ![reckless\_legend](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/reckless_legend/32/32_2.png) [@reckless\_legend](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/reckless_legend)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/4 "2026-11-06T23:40:25Z")
On Android, go to Settings \> Apps \> the current PDF app \> Open by default, then tap Clear defaults and choose your preferred reader next time. On iPhone, use Files, hold the PDF and choose Share or Open With; don’t uninstall apps at random, as that can remove saved files too. ---
**Author:** ![guitar\_mouse](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/guitar_mouse/32/33_2.png) [@guitar\_mouse](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/guitar_mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/5 "2026-11-08T04:10:39Z")
On Android, go to Settings \> Apps \> the wrong app \> Open by default, then clear its defaults; tap a PDF again and choose the reader you want with “Always.” On iPhone, there usually is not a system-wide PDF reader setting, so use Share \> Open in or save it to Files first. Avoid selecting “Always” until you have tested the app once. ---
**Author:** ![rando72836](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/rando72836/32/25_2.png) [@rando72836](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/rando72836)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 10:55am UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/6 "2026-11-09T10:55:30Z")
@cameron2002 is totally right about this! I send out event schedules to clients all the time and the ones on iPhones always get so confused by the share sheet. Clearing the defaults on Android works like a charm tho. Do you usually open your files from an email or a downloaded folder? ---
**Author:** ![nancy\_gray](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/nancy_gray/32/34_2.png) [@nancy\_gray](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/nancy_gray)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/7 "2026-11-10T17:10:31Z")
@rando72836 Mostly straight from email, and that is half the problem. Opening from the mail app uses whatever it decides. Save the file to your phone first, then open it, so the “Always” choice sticks. And keep a backup copy of the original. ---
**Author:** ![roisin1984](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/user_avatar/free-pdf-to-word.net/roisin1984/32/35_2.png) [@roisin1984](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/u/roisin1984)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2026, 10:40pm UTC](https://free-pdf-to-word.net/forum/t/how-can-i-figure-out-how-to-change-default-pdf-reader-on-my-phone/85/8 "2026-11-11T22:40:21Z")
What phone is it, iPhone or Android? On Android it’s usually Settings, Apps, pick the current pdf app, then Open by default, and clear it so it asks you next time.