topic Changing default pdf viewer in Mobile Apps & Services

Changing default pdf viewer

BloopX2 — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 03:57:24 GMT

Hi, I'm having trouble changing the default pdf viewer on my samsung s21 fe. I've tried going to "Settings > apps > choose default apps" but there's no pdf viewer option I've also tried doing "settings > apps > free adblocker browser (the browser I'm using) > defaults" but also no option for pdf viewer any ideas on how to change my default pdf viewer?

BTW I don't wanna delete the app because I have all my passwords and work data on it

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

AndrewL — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 10:01:52 GMT

@BloopX2: Please can you try heading to Settings > Apps > Select the app you use to open your .pdf files by default > Set as default > Clear defaults > Clear.

Now, tap the Home button > Swipe up from your Home screen > Samsung (folder) > My Files > Documents > Select a .pdf file > A series of app options should appear at the bottom of the screen > Tap the preferred app, then select 'Always'. Let me know if this helps.

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

BloopX2 — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 01:57:43 GMT

@AndrewL I can go to Settings > apps > my pdf viewer > defaults, but it only shows that I have it as my default browser. Even then, there's no "clear defaults" button

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

TessM — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:22:43 GMT

I see, @BloopX2 . In this case, I would suggest resetting your apps preferences from the phone Settings> Apps> Menu (3 dots top right)> Reset app preferences. Then try to open a .pdf document and select the app as your default.

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

Vargasbox — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:56:49 GMT

Hey BloopX2. I ran into the same scenario and didn´t want to errase all my file associations, justo PDF and here's what I did:

Open a PDF, make a note on what app opens it.
Config/apps/default apps/ (or something like that, my phone is in spanish)
Go to the app that currently opens PDF and note it (Onedrive in my case)
Go to Opening links/Installed apps (something like that, last option)
Fing you current app and click it
Las option, something like delete default values and click the erase button
Try again to open a PDF and the OS will prompt you for a "open once / always" select your wanted new PDF viewer.

Hope this helps!

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

Darkrai — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:25:47 GMT

In case this is still an issue or for future reference:

Go to the app-info of the current default app
Under the section default go to set as default
The bottom section -> delete default values

This should cause your device to prompt you again for the app with which to open the file. This worked for me to reset the default PDF app when I set it to Samsung Notes by accident. This will probably reset any situation where the app in question is the default though. (Please note that my phone is not in English so the exact names may differ.)

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

Dano222 — Sun, 05 May 2024 23:16:15 GMT

Perfect solution. I was having the same problem and this fixed it easily.

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

mindustrie — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 03:45:46 GMT

It works for me! Thank you!

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

juntjoo — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:22:16 GMT

None of the suggestions worked for me here. The global "reset app preferences" is the only one that describes what I want to do, the specific app setting is related to url's, doesn't work.

Tell me if it's the app then hijacking my phone. It's "PDF reader - Hi read"

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

juntjoo — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:23:46 GMT

Did you ever find a solution beyond what's suggested here? Seems maybe it's my generic ad laden Chinese made pdf viewer maybe

Re: Changing default pdf viewer

jayonchat — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:06:43 GMT

There is no option show clear default in Samsung A54