File Extension Database

Open PDF File

PDF file extension is most commonly associated with Adobe Portable Document Format. Files of this type are used for cross-platform document exchange. They can be viewed on PC, Mac, Linux computers as well as many other electronic devices. PDF files are also commonly used in the publishing and advertising industry.

You can open PDF files by Adobe Acrobat Reader application that can be downloaded from official Adobe website free of charge. This application is safe to use and doesn't contain any adware. There are several paid and free software packages that can view and open and edit PDF files.

Although Adobe Portable Document Format files dominate file extension PDF there is a slight chance that PDF files contain some other data. Easiest way to check is to open PDF file in notepad. It should begin with %PDF-1. followed by a number which denotes version of PDF standard used in the file. If your file looks like this then it has the right format and you should try to open PDF file in Adobe Acrobat reader.

Typical PDF application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe "%1"

Typical PDF mime types:

application/pdf

Frequently used application names to open PDF files:

Adobe

Frequently associated Windows objects:

AcroExch.Document

How Can I Open PDF File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open PDF file is to find a PDF file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PDF file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open PDF file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as PDF file opener then try to search online for "PDF viewer", "application to open PDF file" or "open PDF file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open PDF file

How Can I Open PDF File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a PDF file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PDF file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with PDF file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as PDF file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open PDF file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open PDF file then try to search for "PDF viewer", "application to open PDF file" or "read PDF file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read PDF file

How Can I Open PDF File on Android

If you downloaded a PDF file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded PDF file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "PDF".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "PDF viewer", "PDF file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open PDF File on iPhone or iPad

To open PDF File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the PDF file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "PDF". This way you can find apps which can open PDF files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "PDF viewer" or "PDF file" online in your favorite search engine.