Chrome for Android has made a significant enhancement by enabling users to view PDF files directly within the browser, eliminating the need for third-party applications. This native PDF reader feature is currently operational on Android 15, although its compatibility with earlier Android versions remains uncertain.
Previously, accessing PDF files in Chrome required users to switch to another app since the browser lacked integrated PDF support. Fortunately, Google has now introduced this long-awaited functionality, allowing seamless PDF viewing without any interruptions.
The new PDF reader equipped in Chrome for Android comes with an annotation feature that makes it easier for users to engage with their documents. By tapping the pencil icon, users can access a toolbar featuring tools such as a pen, highlighter, eraser, undo, redo, and a visibility option.
The pen and highlighter allow customization regarding line width and color. Additionally, the eraser can be used to remove annotations, while the undo and redo arrows facilitate editing adjustments.
Users may also relocate the toolbar to the top of the page for convenient access. Moreover, Chrome’s built-in search feature can be utilized to locate specific text within the PDF.
Users can navigate through the document using the up and down arrows next to the search bar, which directs them to every occurrence of the chosen word. Initially, native PDF support was introduced as a flag in Chrome last February, but it did not function until December.
While earlier flags allowed access to this feature on devices running Android 12 and later, the functionality is now fully operational without restrictions.
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