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Which PDF readers are supported for protected PDFs?

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Note

Are you looking for Microsoft Purview Information Protection, formerly Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)?

The Azure Information Protection add-in for Office is now in maintenance mode and we recommend you use labels that are built in to your Office 365 apps and services. Learn more about the support status of other Azure Information Protection components.

This article describes the protected PDF readers that are supported for Azure Information Protection (AIP). Protected PDF readers enable users to open those encrypted PDFs and view the sensitive information contained.

Encrypting your PDFs with AIP ensures that unauthorized people cannot read the file's content. Protected PDF readers that support AIP verify that you've been granted permissions to open the document, and also decrypt the content for you.

For example, the following image shows an encrypted document open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. The bar at the top indicates that the document is protected by a Microsoft Purview Information Protection solution.

Protected PDF open in Adobe Acrobat Reader

For instructions, see the following sections:

Tip

If your document doesn't open after installing a recommended reader, the document may be protected in an older format.

In this case, try one of the readers listed as supported for previous formats. For more information, see Support for previous formats.

ISO standards for PDF encryption

The PDF readers referenced on this page can all open protected documents that adhere to the ISO standard for PDF encryption.

This standard is used by default by the AIP client.

Viewing protected PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader integrates with Microsoft Purview Information Protection solutions, such as Azure Information Protection to provide users with a simplified and consistent experience for classified and/or protected PDFs.

The Adobe Acrobat Reader with Microsoft Purview Information Protection integration is supported for Windows and macOS.

For more information, see the following blog posts:

Viewing protected PDFs in Microsoft Edge on Windows or Mac

Microsoft Edge offers built-in support for viewing PDF files that are classified and protected. Use of Microsoft Edge ensures that users can open protected PDF files seamlessly without the need to install or configure any extra settings or software.

Supported versions include:

  • Windows: Windows 11 and previous versions through Windows 8.

    For more information about earlier versions, see Support for previous formats.

  • Mac: macOS versions 10.12 and above

Instructions:

  1. Check which Microsoft Edge version is installed on your system.

  2. If the Microsoft Edge version is 83.0.478.37 or above, you can open protected files directly in the Edge browser.

  3. To open PDF files in SharePoint, click Open > Open in browser.

    Open a protected PDF using Microsoft Edge from the browser using the Open in browser option

Installing a protected PDF reader for Windows or Mac

To open a protected PDF document on your desktop computer, we recommend that you install the relevant Microsoft Purview Information Protection plug-in for Acrobat and Acrobat Reader for your operating system.

Instructions:

  1. If you haven't already, install the Adobe Reader from the Adobe site.

    Make sure that you read and agree to the Adobe General Terms of Use.

  2. Install the MIP plug-in for Acrobat and Acrobat Reader for your operating system.

    Supported versions include:

    • Windows: Windows 10 and previous versions through Windows 8.

      For more information about earlier versions, see Support for previous formats.

    • Mac: macOS versions 10.12 - 10.14

  3. If prompted for admin approval, ask your admin to authorize the plug-in.

    For example:

    Admin approval required to install the MIP plug-in for Acrobat and Acrobat Reader

Note

For more information, see the Microsoft Purview Information Protection and Adobe release announcement.

Alternative protected PDF readers for Windows

Alternatively, use one of the following PDF readers for Windows that adhere to the ISO standard for PDF encryption:

Installing a protected PDF reader for mobile (iOS/Android)

To open a protected PDF on your iOS or Android device, download and install the app for your operating system:

OS Link
iTunes Install from iTunes.
Google Play Install from Google Play.

For more information, see Mobile viewer apps for Azure Information Protection (iOS and Android).

Support for previous formats

The following PDF readers support both protected PDFs with a .ppdf extension, and older formats with a .pdf extension.

If you're unable to open your protected PDF using the recommended reader, the document may be protected in a previous format. For example, Microsoft SharePoint currently uses an older format for PDF documents in IRM-protected libraries.

Next steps

If you need more help after installing, use the instructions and documentation for each reader. For example, see the following articles: