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HotCakeX's avatar
HotCakeX
MVP
Nov 25, 2020

Edge on Android isn't available for opening PDFs

Android 9 pie and latest version of Edge Android beta, in the file manager when I "Open with" on PDF file, Edge isn't available.     I'd like the same features we have on desktop, Mac, Linux...
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msekmfb1's avatar
msekmfb1
Iron Contributor
Nov 25, 2020
Edge is not available, because it does not support PDF on Android, and will not support it until PDF on Android will be supported by the Chromium upstream. Google will not do it, because Google Drive, which is preinstalled on 99% Android devices has a very basic PDF viewer, which is completely native. Microsoft could extend it, but I see that the current desktop's Edge PDF viewer is hybrid - the renderer is native (the same is in all Chromium-based browsers, and it's actually something similar to Adobe Flash plugin), but the UI is built on web technologies, which require browser rendering engine.
I don't think they will be able to port it until Android's Chromium doesn't support native plugins. Also I don't think it will be possible, so we hardly see PDF viewer embedded in Edge on Android. Unlike Windows (or any desktop OS), there is a lot apps in Play Store that allow you to Ink on PDF. And Edge APK is already pretty large, and adding PDF viewer will make it even larger.
  • HotCakeX's avatar
    HotCakeX
    MVP
    Nov 25, 2020

    msekmfb1 

    They can easily make the .apk file size smaller starting by getting rid of the useless components such as Newsguard and adblock plus, and then maybe after years, update the Chromium from 77 to 87.

     

    if the file size gets slightly bigger it will be worth it's the same as installing a separate app that occupies space.

     

    Yes, there are lots of apps on Android for PDF but the same goes for Desktop, even more actually, Windows store and Win32 programs, paid and open source.

     

    not all phones have Google drive preinstalled, especially Samsung devices that are the most popular ones and have deals with Microsoft to install Microsoft Launcher, OneDrive, Your Phone etc.

     

    Huawei devices are another popular brand that don't have good relationship with Google and no reason to advertise for Google apps. but these are only 2 companies out of many that make Android phones.

     

    I think Microsoft can push this to Chromium if they want to, just like they contributed lots of code in the past 2 years to Chromium project.

    or, fork the Chromium Android.

    lots of possibilities 

    • msekmfb1's avatar
      msekmfb1
      Iron Contributor
      Nov 25, 2020
      Why AdBlock Plus is useless? It's the one of two reasons to use Edge on Android (the first - syncing with PC).
      By mentioning that Google Drive is preinstalled on the most of devices I mean Edge PDF viewer demand will be low. Talking about Samsung devices, there's Samsung Notes which have ability to Ink on PDFs is preinstalled side by side with Drive.
      I'm sure embedding PDF viewer into Chromium Android tab is a fundamental and hard work, so I don't think there's a reason to shift their attention from adding new features an fixing bugs to that.
      In addition to that, very little people view PDFs on their phones, because it doesn't support normal zooming. So there's a little chance Edge could compete with Android PDF editing apps, of which there are a lot, compared to PC.
      • HotCakeX's avatar
        HotCakeX
        MVP
        Nov 25, 2020

        msekmfb1 

        adblock plus isn't even comparable to ublock origin. it barely blocks anything if at all. they also take money from advertisement companies to let their ads come through. no ability to add filters etc.

         

        adding PDF viewer to Edge Android is itself a new feature that is worth spending time on.

         

        there is no concrete data to show there are more Android apps than PC, I don't know why you keep saying that lol

         

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