How to fix iPhone 12 not able to open PDF file in Whatsapp, default mail app after Update

 

Many iPhone 12 ,11,XR users are reported an issue that after the latest iOS 14.7 update they are not able to open or view the PDF files in the iPhone. The default mail app cannot preview or open pdf file on iOS 14, iOS 15.  The PDF files are not opening the in the apps like Whatsapp or email sent as attachment. The feature was working fine until the users did iOS 14 update. After the iOS 14.7.1 update the iPhone is not able to load/show the PDF file automatically. 

iPhone not able to open PDF file,

This seem to issue with all the apps which uses default iOS feature to open PDF files. If you try to open pdf in outlook app it has no problem but default mail app is noe able to open the PDF file.  iPhone 12 users are not able to view PDF in the Whatsapp and default mail App. When try to tap tp open the PDF, iPhone fails to open PDF and shows as "Data". 

This is very annoying issue and many iPhone users are not able to open PDF in the mail attachment. Basic troubleshooting steps like deleting the app and reinstalling it, restarting the iPhone does not help to fix the issue. 

How to fix iPhone not opening PDF : iPhone 12,11,XS Max,8 on iOS 14/ iOS 14.7  , iOS 15

Fix 1 : Avoid third party apps to open PDF file

To fix iPhone not able to open PDF please make sure that you have not set a third party software as default app to open the PDF files. Such third party app can have issue with the latest iOS version and hence not able to load the PDF file. List of such third party are: Alibaba,AlienExpress, CentralLink,WinZip , iZipPro, AdobeScan, Zoom, Montblanc Hub, neu.Annotate+, Newzik  etc .

Try uninstalling any suspicious app that may try to open PDF by default and check it this works.

Fix 2:  Select the App to open PDF

To open PDF in Email or Whatsapp, rather than tapping to open the file, try to hold your finger over the icon for the attachment rather than just tap, the selection window should comes up which allows you to select "Copy to adobe Acrobat"or chose any other app to open the PDF.  

To do the same in Whatsapp, First save the PDF in the iPhone and then using file Explorer , open the file as mentioned above. If that does not work, email the files to yourself and follow above steps. 

Fix 3: Workaround to open email PDF

To open PDF in the mail, as a workaround you can try to open the PDF in the web browser. For example to open Apple id email go to iCloud.com and check if PDF open fine there. If it does then the issue of PDF not loading on iPhone  is surely issue with the iPhone. 

Fix 4: Update the App and iOS Software

Always after updating the iPhone to latest iOS version, please check for any pending update for the app like Whatsapp and email. As these issue may occur due to outdated apps and new updates are released on the App Store to fix such issue. Please ensure to keep the apps up to date.

Source: Shudtech