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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...
android
App
Default
edge
Feedback
mobile
Reader
HotCakeX's avatar
HotCakeX
MVP
Nov 26, 2020
People need to install browser anyway, if it has PDF capability then it's better.

lost of PDF apps on store means lots of people use PDF on mobile, so it's good to implement it in Edge.

everything has advantages and disadvantages, nothing is perfect, this applies to PDF too.
msekmfb1's avatar
msekmfb1
Iron Contributor
Nov 27, 2020

Initially I was talking about something else at all - a built-in PDF Reader is not needed in a mobile browser, it should be a separate app

If Chrome is already preinstalled on my phone and I can't delete it (and I don't have a lot of disk space) I will not install an entire browser only for PDF

  • HotCakeX's avatar
    HotCakeX
    MVP
    Nov 27, 2020
    Doesn't matter, if Edge had PDF support everyone would benefit and no need to use 3rd party browser as people use Edge on desktop and need sync from mobile.
  • msekmfb1's avatar
    msekmfb1
    Iron Contributor
    Nov 27, 2020
    Chrome still consuming near 200MB disk space even after disabling, so switching to another browser is very expensive.
    I'm already seeing two PDF readers on your screenshot, if Edge would have it's own PDF reader, you'll have three Microsoft PDF readers. Unlike PCs, there's very little disk space on Android. They should either leave the reader in only one app, or publish as a separate app. So when you open PDF file in any of these apps on Android they should either redirect you to Google Play for downloading that app, either open file in app if it is installed - no reason to waste disk space by shipping it with every app.
    The problem with Electron and a entire Chromium instance for every app (VSC, Discord, Slack, Teams, etc.) is repeated here, only on mobile devices it is more acute.
  • HotCakeX's avatar
    HotCakeX
    MVP
    Nov 27, 2020

    It is needed, it shouldn't be a separate app.
    nobody installs an entire browser for PDF, browser is needed anyway. chrome isn't supposed to be used; people use Edge so they use Edge on mobile too. Chrome is irrelevant.

    Windows had Internet Explorer and Edge classic too, but people still installed 3rd party browsers. so if Google is preventing some people (not all because not all phones have Chrome preinstalled) to uninstall Chrome, it doesn't mean people are stuck with it forever. just disable and install Edge. PDF capabilities in Edge will be another reason to switch to it, as if there aren't enough reasons already.
    don't worry, I will explain this to you 1000 more times 😉

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