3 ways to install or download Adobe Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook

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Adobe Acrobat Reader on Chromebook

Hello everyone, in this article you will learn how to get Adobe Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook in 3 different ways and experience a direct way to view, edit and share your PDF files directly from your Chromebook. Out of the 3 methods, I prefer to use the Android app simply because I believe ChromeOS/Android should be merged into one so I am doing my best to promote this method as it makes life much easier for everyone.

How to install Adobe Acrobat Reader as an Android app

In order to install this app on your ChromeOS whether that be on a Chromebook or whatever else, you can do that following our instructions right below.

  1. Choose where you want to download the app from:
  2. Once Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed, launch it from the Launcher (app drawer) or the shelf (taskbar). Click the Adobe Acrobat Reader icon to load it.

How to install Adobe Reader through Google Drive

Acrobat on chromebook step 1

  • Open the Google Marketplace from your Chromebook.
  • Search for “Adobe Acrobat” in the marketplace search bar.
  • Click on “Install” next to the Adobe Acrobat application to add it to your Google Drive.
  • Once installed, open your Google Drive.
  • Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner to access Settings.
  • In the Settings menu, navigate to Manage Apps.
  • Here, you should see Adobe Acrobat for Google Drive listed as an application.
  • Select the option to use Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF viewer.
  • Now, when you return to your Google Drive main page and go to the Google Apps section, Adobe Acrobat will appear as one of your available apps.
  • Click on Adobe Acrobat to open the application directly from Google Drive, or click on any PDF file within your Google Drive. The PDF will automatically open in Adobe Acrobat, where you can access basic editing tools. For full capabilities, you can log in with your Acrobat account.

How to install Adobe Reader as a Chrome Extension

Acrobat extension on chromebook step 1

  • Go to the Chrome Web Store.
  • Search for “Adobe Acrobat” using the store’s search function.
  • Find the Adobe Acrobat extension in the search results and click “Install” to add it to Chrome.
  • After installation, you’ll see the Acrobat icon in your browser’s toolbar, indicating the extension is active.
  • You can also Pin the Acrobat extension to your toolbar for easy access.
  • Now, you can open PDFs directly in Chrome without downloading them first, by clicking on PDF links online.

Today we will highlight some reasons why we think you should definitely give Adobe Acrobat Reader a try on your ChromeOS device. Just about everyone has had to deal with a PDF problem over the years in one way or another. It’s usually we have trouble editing a PDF online or we can’t open the particular PDF file for whatever reason. Luckily technology has offered multiple solutions but the best one yet, is to go ahead and install the Adobe Acrobat Reader on whatever device you are using. I say this because the PDF ‘system’ was created by Adobe themselves way back in the early 90’s so it’s usually better to use the original software than the others out there.

Acrobat Reader does it’s job and you can at least view the PDF files, share them, print them, convert them to a Microsoft Word/Google Doc to an image and many other formats. Of course if you really want to edit the PDF file itself(different from filling or signing a form), this is where it gets a bit tricky and last I check, you have to pay some subscription for you to edit PDF’s with Adobe’s products, but like I said, some alternative programs are out there, we will make a post about that soon. Anyway, I was glad Adobe Acrobat ending up working perfectly on my backup Lenovo Duet 2-1 Chromebook.

Another reminder, you will need a touchscreen enabled Chromebook so make sure if you decide to run it on your Chromebook, check our list of Chromebooks that can run Android apps and games. If your Chrome OS device is on the list or if it was made after 2017, it can most likely run this app without any issues. Let us know in the comments if you decide to try this app on your devices.

What is Adobe Acrobat Reader About?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is an app that works on your Chromebook and it allows you to store your files online and read PDF files anywhere with this leading, free PDF reader and file manager. You can also view, share, annotate, and add e-signatures to PDF documents.

Adobe Acrobat Reader Features:

  • Open and view PDFs with the free Adobe PDF viewer app.
  • Print documents directly from your device.
  • Get the best PDF reading experience with Liquid Mode.
  • Content in your PDF document reflows to fit your screen.
  • Search to find text fast in your PDF documents.
  • Share files for commenting or viewing.
  • Collect comments from multiple people in one file online.
  • Speed document reviews by responding to each other’s comments.
  • Receive activity notifications for files you’ve shared.
  • Add PDF notes and comments, including sticky notes and highlights.
  • Write on PDF documents by adding text or drawings.
  • Add, delete, or rotate an image with your upgraded Acrobat PDF app
  • Easily fill in PDF forms with the form filler feature.
  • E-sign documents using your finger or stylus.
  • Access all your files by linking online storage accounts, like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

Adobe Acrobat Reader Screenshots

Adobe Acrobat Reader Video

Adobe Acrobat Reader Chromebook Requirements

  • Supported OS Version: ChromeOS & Android 9.0 or newer.
  • Supported Device: Device with 4GB of RAM or above.
  • Storage Space: 1 GB or above.

Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader for your Chromebook

Even though we have already proven that you can install Adobe Acrobat Reader on Chromebook, but for those of you who don’t want to use Adobe Reader on your Chromebook, lucky for you, I found some nice alternatives that you can try. I personally recommend Xodo from the list below as I have used it before and a lot of you might actually make it your go to choice.

  1. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor ToolGet the Android App version or Use it Online
  2. PDF Viewer Extension Get the Chrome Extension
  3. PDF BuddyUse it Online

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Having trouble getting Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook? Here are two possible reasons:

  1. Google Play Store not enabled: Make sure the Google Play Store is turned on for your Chromebook.
  2. Outdated Chrome OS: Your Chromebook might need a system update. Check if there’s a newer version of ChromeOS available.

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You can also check out Adobe Fill & Sign for Chromebook which compliments this app.

A web developer who loves programming/coding, using both my Ubuntu and chromeOS machines. I also love gaming on my Android and believe you me, I never thought I would ever say that. I also love comic books and I enjoy researching history facts, kind of weird right? My role on Chromegeek.com is to make sure everything works 24/7.