New device storage permissions in Acrobat Reader app for Android

With the recent Android OS changes, you are requested to grant permissions for the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app to access the files on your device when you update to the latest version of the app from Google Play Store.

You may be prompted to grant permission for the app to access the files on your device with Android 11 or above, even if you have previously given these permissions.

This article explains why we need new device storage permissions and how you can manage permissions settings while ensuring the safety of your personal data on mobile. 

Android recently introduced a special app access called All files access for all the apps that target Android 11. Since the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app targets Android 11, it now directs you to an ‘Allow access to all files’ device setting when you try to work with files and media stored on your Android device.

On Android 11 devices, the new prompt replaces the old message that existed in the Android 10 SDK. So, you are asked to grant file access permissions again even if you have previously done so. 

The Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app requires access to all files to: 

• Enable seamless access and management of all files stored on your device.
• Allow opening of documents and files from other apps, as well as allowing apps to create, copy, edit, and save files in your local device storage.
• Enable searching and browsing through all files that are stored on your device.
• View a list of your recently used files under Recent tab on the app’s home page.
• Display the location of all files to make it easier for you to search for files and browse local files.

However, Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app on Android does not modify or delete any of the files stored in your local device storage (or on connected storage devices) without your explicit consent. When you share permissions to access all files, the app uses this permission only for the experiences listed above.

From the app

If you’re using the Acrobat Reader mobile app on a device with the Android 11 SDK, you now see an updated prompt, as shown below, during certain workflows that require you to grant permission to access all the files stored on your device. Tap Go to Settings and follow through the steps.  

From device settings

Alternatively, you can manually navigate to Settings > Apps > Adobe Acrobat > Permissions > Storage on your Android device. Under Storage access for this app, select Allow management of all files setting. 

If you previously granted storage permissions in an older version of your Acrobat Reader mobile app configured for the Android 10 or earlier, you still need to enable the new Allow management of all files option because the previous permissions are now restricted to allow access to locally stored media files only. 

Media-only permissions are not sufficient for supporting the intended PDF files handling and management in the latest Acrobat Reader app.  

Note that even when you share permissions for managing all files stored on your device, the Acrobat Reader app does not access, modify, or delete any file without your request or specific permission. 

To learn more about the “All files access” permission setting in the apps that target Android 11, refer to Use of All files access permission (Google Support).