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What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android?

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  What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 03:23 -0400
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-28 09:12 +0000
      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 23:56 -0400
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2026-10-28 11:57 +0100
      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-28 17:20 +0000
        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 15:32 -0400
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-28 19:51 +0000
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 16:12 -0400
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-28 20:53 +0000
                Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 21:11 -0400
                  Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-29 12:13 +0100
                    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 14:31 -0400
                      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-10-29 18:34 +0000
                        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 15:23 -0400
                      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-29 20:46 +0100
                        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 20:56 -0400
                          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-30 16:46 +0000
                            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 14:29 -0400
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-28 21:23 +0000
                Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 22:37 -0400
                  Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-29 09:23 +0000
                    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 21:13 -0400
                      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-30 07:09 +0000
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-28 20:53 +0100
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 22:51 -0400
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-29 12:16 +0100
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-28 20:34 +0000
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-28 22:51 -0400
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-29 16:28 +0000
                Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 14:54 -0400
                  Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-30 16:35 +0000
                    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 14:46 -0400
                      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-30 20:02 +0000
                Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-29 20:53 +0100
        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2026-10-29 09:10 +0100
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 15:43 -0400
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 15:45 -0400
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-30 01:28 +0000
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2026-10-30 15:24 +0100
              Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> - 2026-10-30 15:28 +0100
                Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 14:58 -0400
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-28 11:28 +0000
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-28 12:26 +0100
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2026-10-28 11:31 +0000
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? MCSM <despammed@mcsm.anonaddy.me> - 2026-10-28 13:32 +0100
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-28 13:21 +0000
      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-10-28 18:22 +0100
        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-29 09:08 +0000
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-29 10:22 +0000
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> - 2026-10-30 18:32 +0000
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2026-10-28 16:55 +0000
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-10-28 17:13 +0000
      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-29 21:40 -0400
        Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 00:07 -0400
          Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-10-30 07:27 +0000
            Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 14:58 -0400
    Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> - 2026-10-30 07:10 +0000
      Re: What do you prefer for reading & saving PDFs on Android? Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> - 2026-10-30 15:11 -0400

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#156715

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

>
> That's the entire point of Usenet, after all, to add to the knowledge base.

Well I did suggest fennec, which is free and oss, and allows you to view
and save pdfs.

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#156747

Richmond wrote:
>> That's the entire point of Usenet, after all, to add to the knowledge base.
> 
> Well I did suggest fennec, which is free and oss, and allows you to view
> and save pdfs.

Thanks for that suggestion, and for not stonewalling on insisting everyone
in the newsgroup use the piece of crap OEM Samsung tools, which is absurd.

As for you blaming me for keeping a clean system devoid of the Samsung and
Google bloatware, you need to know that you shouldn't play that blame game.

I get it you and Frank teamed up to blame me for not using Samsung's crap.
But what you need to know is I provide UNIVERSAL SOLUTIONS on this ng.

To suggest everyone on the ng use Samsung's OEM crap is fine, by the way.
But to BLAME ME for NOT using Samsung OEM crap is NOT fine. Get the point? 

Anyway, it was CLEAR IN THE OP that I solved the problem, temporarily,
using first the Adobe reader (which failed) and then  QField which worked.

I said so, clearly, so for you to claim I didn't have a PDF reader because
I deleted the Samsung OEM bloatware is was and always will be absurd.

I SOLVED the initial problem BEFORE I even opened this thread, and I showed
the PDF (which I converted to JPEG on Windows) which proves that point.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/g2kQdrwY/toilet.jpg>

The POINT of opening the thread was to solve these problems for everyone:
 Q1: What's the best PDF reader to open a PDF attachment on Android?
 Q2: What's the best way to save a PDF attachment on Android?

I know too much about web browsers and swiss-army-knife tool suites to even
believe a web browser is "the best way" to view and save PDFs but it will
work. I never replied to your original because I knew it wasn't the best.

Since I've already solved the UNIVERSAL problem of saving an attachment in
any app to the file system by converting the "share to" to a "save as", the
only problem not fully solved in this thread is what's the BEST PDF reader.

As you can see from my screenshot, I have TONS of file managers and PDF
readers, so not having the Samsung OEM piece-of-crap was never the issue.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>
 <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>

The only open question in this thread, is what's the BEST PDF viewer on
Android, where I already have plenty to test out, plus thread suggestions.
-- 
Usenet is where people with vast knowledge converge to discuss ideas.

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#156757

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> writes:

> As for you blaming me for keeping a clean system devoid of the Samsung and
> Google bloatware, you need to know that you shouldn't play that blame game.

I didn't blame you for anything, I just asked where the default Samsung
PDF reader was.

> I get it you and Frank teamed up to blame me for not using Samsung's crap.

I didn't.

> Anyway, it was CLEAR IN THE OP that I solved the problem, temporarily,
> using first the Adobe reader (which failed) and then  QField which worked.

You asked at the end of your OP what people's preferred solution was.

>
> The only open question in this thread, is what's the BEST PDF viewer on
> Android, where I already have plenty to test out, plus thread suggestions.

But you asked at the end of your post what people prefer.

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#156694

On 2026-10-28 20:32, Maria Sophia wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>    But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
> 
> I don't doubt anything Frank said, but my Android 13 Samsung didn't seem to
> have a save in the WhatsApp GUI, but it had a ton of "open with" options.

There isn't, but you can navigate the phone with a file browser and find 
the file somewhere in the wasap tree.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

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#156708

Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>    But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
>> 
>> I don't doubt anything Frank said, but my Android 13 Samsung didn't seem to
>> have a save in the WhatsApp GUI, but it had a ton of "open with" options.
> 
> There isn't, but you can navigate the phone with a file browser and find 
> the file somewhere in the wasap tree.

I found the solution!

This thread asks two generic questions for the benefit of the team:
 a. What app to use to view PDFs from WhatsApp, and, 
 b. How to save that PDF outside of the WhatsApp file system storage.

In my response to Richmond, just now, I found a UNIVERSAL solution that
anyone can use, which is free, open source, and has no advertisements.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>

Not only does this universal solution solve the problem of saving a file
onto the file system from WhatsApp, it should work for every Android app!

Woo hoo!
I love when we solve problems that everyone has, which turn out to be so
perfect that they don't require any particular OEM or convoluted method.
 
1. When the Android ShareSheet comes up from within any app... 
2. Simply select "Save on Device"

What could be simpler, more universal, nor more elegant!

Anyway, that leaves the second question still up for grabs, where I will
strive to test the "best free no-ad PDF reader" suggestions already given.
-- 
Usenet is where people with vast knowledge converge to discuss ideas.

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#156720

On 2026-10-29 03:51, Maria Sophia wrote:
> Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>>     But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>>>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
>>>
>>> I don't doubt anything Frank said, but my Android 13 Samsung didn't seem to
>>> have a save in the WhatsApp GUI, but it had a ton of "open with" options.
>>
>> There isn't, but you can navigate the phone with a file browser and find
>> the file somewhere in the wasap tree.
> 
> I found the solution!

I know, no need to post the same thing several times. Specially when you 
don't comment on what someone said on that post. If you have nothing to 
say on that, then just do not post repeating yourself.

Please :-)


-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#156698

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote:
> >   But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
> > PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
> 
> I don't doubt anything Frank said, but my Android 13 Samsung didn't seem to
> have a save in the WhatsApp GUI, but it had a ton of "open with" options.
>  <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>
>  <https://i.postimg.cc/g2kQdrwY/toilet.jpg>

  See my other response
Message-ID: <11btctu.m48.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>

  Open/view with the  Samsung Notes PDF reader [1] and then save it from
that viewer. 'Problem' solved.

> OneDrive, Book Reader, Avenza Maps, @Voice Aloud Reader, Universal
> Installer, NeoReader, QField, Amaze Utilities, App Manager, CS PDF, 
> CS PDF Editor, CS PDF Reader, FiiNote, File Manager PDF Viewer, 
> Fluffy Edit as Text, Fluffy PDF Viewer, Fluffy View as Text, 
> Image Toolbox, Material Files Save As, MiXplorer Copy to, MiXplorer
> eBook Reader, Owlfiles, PDF Reader, ReadEra, ShareIt Lite File Browser, 
> ShareIt Lite PDF Reader,  ShareIt Lite PDF to Images,  ShareIt Lite PDF to
> Long1..., T2S, Termux, Text to Speech, X-plore, Xed-Editor as shown above.
> 
> If you look at that image, I don't see WHERE to just save the damn thing.
> If there is a button somewhere in WhatsApp to just save it, I don't see it.

  Read my other response. The Android version of WhatsApp cannot save,
only share and share has no 'save' choice, unless you have a file
manager, which can be a share destination, which can do that. (As said,
no such problem with the Windows version of WhatsApp.)

> But as Frank mentioned, I can read it via any one of those, let me count,
> at least 40 apps that will open "application/PDF" mime types on my phone.
> 
> The question is which ones do three things, which is all I'd need.
>  1. Open PDF (by showing up in Application/PDF mime type)
>  2. Save it outside of WhatsApp file storage
>  3. And maybe also pinch zoom as the text was tiny

  The Samsung Notes PDF reader does all three.

> If there is a way to SAVE the PDF directly from WhatsApp, I don't see it.

  No. See above.

> Still, we need to VIEW the PDF, and WhatsApp, for me, asked for a viewer.

  And the Samsung Notes PDF reader can view and save. 'Problem' solved.

[1] I don't see the Samsung PDF reader listed as a seperate app, but it
*is* shown as a choice in 'Open with'.
Its icon looks like that of (Samsung) Notes and indeed the Notes app has
a PDF+ icon near the top right.
It seems that the PDF reader is just a read-only version of the PDF
reader in Notes.
When the 'Open with' popup is shown in landscape mode, the text says
'Samsung N... PDF reader', so apparently the 'N...' part should actually
be 'Notes', so in full 'Samsung Notes PDF reader'. Sigh!

See also Richmond's comment on the apparent absence of Samsung Notes on
your phone.

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#156707

Frank Slootweg wrote:
>   Read my other response. The Android version of WhatsApp cannot save,
> only share and share has no 'save' choice, unless you have a file
> manager, which can be a share destination, which can do that. (As said,
> no such problem with the Windows version of WhatsApp.)

Hi Frank,

Thanks for that data about Android WA not having a Share-to-Save choice.

Thankfully, I found a way to add "Save on Device" to WhatsApp sharesheet!
 <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>

As are almost all my solutions, it's universal, simple, and hence,
brilliantly elegant, since it works for any app that won't let you save.

>   And the Samsung Notes PDF reader can view and save. 'Problem' solved.
> 
> [1] I don't see the Samsung PDF reader listed as a seperate app, but it
> *is* shown as a choice in 'Open with'.
> Its icon looks like that of (Samsung) Notes and indeed the Notes app has
> a PDF+ icon near the top right.
> It seems that the PDF reader is just a read-only version of the PDF
> reader in Notes.
> When the 'Open with' popup is shown in landscape mode, the text says
> 'Samsung N... PDF reader', so apparently the 'N...' part should actually
> be 'Notes', so in full 'Samsung Notes PDF reader'. Sigh!
> 
> See also Richmond's comment on the apparent absence of Samsung Notes on
> your phone.

Here are the 40 apps that appear when WhatsApp triggers the OpenWith.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>

Since I've tested all the free file managers on Android, of course some of
those will save to device, but that was never the reason for the question.

The question was to find a UNIVERSAL solution that everyone can benefit
from, and I found it, since almost never am I stumped by Android problems.

Even you must know by now that I'm DIFFERENT than almost every poster here,
save for maybe the smartest like Andy and maybe one or two other posters.

There isn't a problem I can't solve, for me, but the goal, always, for me,
is to solve the problem for EVERYONE, so we can't assume only Samsung here.

Anyway, the solution for saving the file that works for all apps
(presumably) and for all Android phones, might just be to install this.
 <https://f-droid.org/packages/name.lmj001.savetodevice>
   "Save on Device adds an option to the Android Sharesheet
    that allows you to save files to your device."

I installed that because Aurora wouldn't let me save the downloaded APK, 
but it works just as well to add the SAVE capability to any Android app.

There's still the open debate as to the best free PDF reader for Android.
-- 
Usenet is a team where every player tries to move the ball forward.

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#156724

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote:
> >   Read my other response. The Android version of WhatsApp cannot save,
> > only share and share has no 'save' choice, unless you have a file
> > manager, which can be a share destination, which can do that. (As said,
> > no such problem with the Windows version of WhatsApp.)
> 
> Hi Frank,
> 
> Thanks for that data about Android WA not having a Share-to-Save choice.
> 
> Thankfully, I found a way to add "Save on Device" to WhatsApp sharesheet!
>  <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>
> 
> As are almost all my solutions, it's universal, simple, and hence,
> brilliantly elegant, since it works for any app that won't let you save.

  <barf!>

[...]

> Here are the 40 apps that appear when WhatsApp triggers the OpenWith.
>  <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>
> 
> Since I've tested all the free file managers on Android, of course some of
> those will save to device, but that was never the reason for the question.
> 
> The question was to find a UNIVERSAL solution that everyone can benefit
> from, and I found it,

  Using an extra file manager is *also* "a UNIVERSAL solution that
everyone can benefit from", just a *different* one than you came up
with.

>		        since almost never am I stumped by Android problems.
> 
> Even you must know by now that I'm DIFFERENT than almost every poster here,
> save for maybe the smartest like Andy and maybe one or two other posters.

  <barf!>

> There isn't a problem I can't solve, for me, but the goal, always, for me,
> is to solve the problem for EVERYONE, so we can't assume only Samsung here.
> 
> Anyway, the solution for saving the file that works for all apps
> (presumably) and for all Android phones, might just be to install this.
>  <https://f-droid.org/packages/name.lmj001.savetodevice>
>    "Save on Device adds an option to the Android Sharesheet
>     that allows you to save files to your device."

  And, as Arno and I have been saying, extra file managers *also* offer
exactly that 'save to device' functionality. So I guess that makes our
solution equally "universal, simple, brilliant, elegant and smart"!

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#156733

Frank Slootweg wrote:
>> As are almost all my solutions, it's universal, simple, and hence,
>> brilliantly elegant, since it works for any app that won't let you save.
> 
>   <barf!>
> 

Hi Frank,

I get it you never passed any entrance exam to college, which, really, 
I feel sorry for you that God didn't endow you with even a normal
intelligence level, but allow me to give you sincere advice that you 
really do not have to prove me correct, every single time you post here.

>> The question was to find a UNIVERSAL solution that everyone can benefit
>> from, and I found it,
> 
>   Using an extra file manager is *also* "a UNIVERSAL solution that
> everyone can benefit from", just a *different* one than you came up
> with.

I get it Frank, that invest all your time shooting down solutions to
problems so that you can propose absurdly complex, substandard &
proprietary workarounds that only work for a subset of people, but... 

While you were desperately finding ways to shoot down good ideas, I
invested my time adding a separate thread containing not only the solution
that I had devised, but TWO MORE SOLUTIONS that should work as well.

 Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
 Subject: PSA: Add cloud-free 'Save on device' to every Android app's share sheet
 Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:03:23 -0400
 Message-ID: <11bvqob$2ios$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Notice that not only did I research and document multiple solutions while
you're spending all your time ignorantly shooting a single one down, but I
also posted that information to XDA Developers to leverage the results. 

PSA: I found a GREAT way to add 'save to device' to the Android share sheet
(which works on apps like WA that don't want you to share to the device!)
 <https://xdaforums.com/t/psa-i-found-a-great-way-to-add-save-to-device-to-the-android-share-sheet-which-works-on-apps-like-wa-that-dont-want-you-to-share-to-the-device.4806835/>

I also invested in annotations and screenshots to illustrate the solution.

I get it that you hate me but instead of spending all your time attacking
me, why don't you invest some time in proposing a useful solution?

>> Anyway, the solution for saving the file that works for all apps
>> (presumably) and for all Android phones, might just be to install this.
>>  <https://f-droid.org/packages/name.lmj001.savetodevice>
>>    "Save on Device adds an option to the Android Sharesheet
>>     that allows you to save files to your device."
> 
>   And, as Arno and I have been saying, extra file managers *also* offer
> exactly that 'save to device' functionality. So I guess that makes our
> solution equally "universal, simple, brilliant, elegant and smart"!

First off, I wish you would stop proving me 100% correct about you that you
lack the basic normal intelligence to see that I already used the file
manager before I ever asked the question in this newsgroup, Frank.

Do you remember *this* image of the PDF in the first sentence of the OP?
  <https://i.postimg.cc/g2kQdrwY/toilet.jpg>

Stop proving me that you're incredibly stupid, Frank.
How do you *think* I got that PDF in the first place, Frank?

Seriously. 
I wish you would STOP PROVING ME RIGHT that you're incredibly stupid.

Secondly, did you notice ALL THE FILE MANAGERS in this screenshot, Frank?
  <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>

Again, that was in the FIRST SENTENCE of my FIRST RESPONSE to you, Frank.

Please. Oh Dear God. Please stop proving me right that you're stupid.
Just stop it.

I tested every file manager on the planet, Frank.
You are too stupid to know that too.

You're so ungodly stupid, Frank, that proving me right about you is getting
tiresome, since you THEN propose a Samsung-only piece of crap product next.

I don't mind you proposed that piece of crap proprietary product Frank.
I mind you desperately trying to insult me because i didn't tell you that.

I didn't tell Richmond that Fennec is also a stupid idea, Frank.
But Richmond isn't desperate to insult me, Frank. 

I simply showed Richmond, in the first sentence of my next response to him,
the solution that I came up with which works without a file manager.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>

Your adamant suggestion to use a piece-of-shit proprietary Samsung tool is
fine but you need to respect my intelligence when I point out that using
Samsung's crappy tools doesn't work on all Android devices, even as you
seem to think that the only solution to all problems is a Samsung tool.

As for the elegant universal solution, I posted three of them to XDA today.
What value have YOU added, Frank, in the time I invested to help others?

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#156766

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote:
[...]

[Usual lies deleted.]

> >> The question was to find a UNIVERSAL solution that everyone can benefit
> >> from, and I found it,
> > 
> >   Using an extra file manager is *also* "a UNIVERSAL solution that
> > everyone can benefit from", just a *different* one than you came up
> > with.
> 
> I get it Frank, that invest all your time shooting down solutions to
> problems so that you can propose absurdly complex, substandard &
> proprietary workarounds that only work for a subset of people, but... 

  Since when is an extra file manager "absurdly complex, substandard &
proprietary"!?

  And note that it is not just my suggestion. also Arno's (and I think
Andy's).

[...]

> I get it that you hate me but instead of spending all your time attacking
> me, why don't you invest some time in proposing a useful solution?

  I don't hate you and I didn't attack you. That you can't handle it
when people don't fully and unconditionally agree with your methods,
isn't anyone's problem but yours.

[More ranting, insults, lies, etc. deleted.]

> Your adamant suggestion to use a piece-of-shit proprietary Samsung tool is
> fine but you need to respect my intelligence when I point out that using
> Samsung's crappy tools doesn't work on all Android devices, even as you
> seem to think that the only solution to all problems is a Samsung tool.

  1) I didn't suggest the "proprietary Samsung tool", 2) it's by no
means "a piece-of-shit" and 3) other Android devices will have similar
tools they can use.

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#156777

Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
>> Frank Slootweg wrote:
> [...]
> 
> [Usual lies deleted.]
> 
>>>> The question was to find a UNIVERSAL solution that everyone can benefit
>>>> from, and I found it,
>>> 
>>>   Using an extra file manager is *also* "a UNIVERSAL solution that
>>> everyone can benefit from", just a *different* one than you came up
>>> with.
>> 
>> I get it Frank, that invest all your time shooting down solutions to
>> problems so that you can propose absurdly complex, substandard &
>> proprietary workarounds that only work for a subset of people, but... 
> 
>   Since when is an extra file manager "absurdly complex, substandard &
> proprietary"!?
> 
>   And note that it is not just my suggestion. also Arno's (and I think
> Andy's).
> 
> [...]
> 
>> I get it that you hate me but instead of spending all your time attacking
>> me, why don't you invest some time in proposing a useful solution?
> 
>   I don't hate you and I didn't attack you. That you can't handle it
> when people don't fully and unconditionally agree with your methods,
> isn't anyone's problem but yours.
> 
> [More ranting, insults, lies, etc. deleted.]
> 
>> Your adamant suggestion to use a piece-of-shit proprietary Samsung tool is
>> fine but you need to respect my intelligence when I point out that using
>> Samsung's crappy tools doesn't work on all Android devices, even as you
>> seem to think that the only solution to all problems is a Samsung tool.
> 
>   1) I didn't suggest the "proprietary Samsung tool", 2) it's by no
> means "a piece-of-shit" and 3) other Android devices will have similar
> tools they can use.

You wasted everyone's time and energy on this thread acting like a child.
When you act like an adult, I'll treat you like you're an adult. Clear?

[And Carlos wasted our time by telling me to stop responding to you, when
he really should have told you to stop the crap that I had to respond to.]

Anyway, we covered a LOT of ground in this thread, so the team benefited.
 1. Android deprecates SaveAs in deference to ShareTo/OpenWith
 2. We added a "SaveAs" to the ShareTo menu which "solves" that problem
 3. We found out that the ShareTo menu is capricious as all hell
 4. But, apparently, it's less capricious in Android 14

    *Android's share menu could finally be more consistent in Android 14*
    <https://www.esper.io/blog/android-14-share-menu>
     "Android 14 is expected to bring more consistency to the share menu, 
      which has long frustrated users and developers with its unpredictable 
      behavior across apps. Google is working to give apps and users more 
      control over what appears in the sheet and in what order."

That's a LOT of ground to cover, especially if some poor soul *knows* he
has a certain app (or activity) that he "can" ShareTo, but it doesn't show.

Luckily, any of us can get a complete list of items that "can" show up 
in the Android ShareTo menu, by running this adb command below.

 C:\> adb shell cmd package query-activities -a android.intent.action.SEND -t application/pdf --user 0 | grep -E "(packageName|name=)"

What does it find on your phone? 

Mine found 87 entries, but 54 distinct apps (64 individual activities) that
are registered to handle PDFs via ACTION_SEND on my Android 13 A32-5G.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/YqnZzMvq/cxfileexplorer.jpg>

And, I guess "some" of us can do "App Pinning" to ensure the one app
we "want" to show up, actually does show up (but it didn't work for me).
  *App Pinning inside the Sharesheet*
  <https://en.androidayuda.com/android/Tutorials/How-to-customize-the-sharing-menu-on-Android--fix-apps--organize-shortcuts--and-get-the-most-out-of-it-on-Samsung--Xiaomi--and-more./>
-- 
On Usenet, we pool our knowledge so everyone's a little smarter.

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#156783

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote:
[...]

> You wasted everyone's time and energy on this thread acting like a child.

  There was indeed someone in this thread acting like a child, but I'm
afraid it wasn't me.

> When you act like an adult, I'll treat you like you're an adult. Clear?

  Promises, promises.
  
  Someone-with-a-different-view != 'child'.

  Someone-with-a-misplaced-superiority-complex != 'adult'.

> [And Carlos wasted our time by telling me to stop responding to you, when
> he really should have told you to stop the crap that I had to respond to.]

  Carlos did no such thing. And he doesn't have to do anything and he
*cannot*'t tell someone to 'stop' something which never  started.

[...]

>  1. Android deprecates SaveAs in deference to ShareTo/OpenWith

  I think that is your opinion, not some stated Android policy.

[...]

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#156741

On 2026-10-29 17:28, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
>> Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>    Read my other response. The Android version of WhatsApp cannot save,
>>> only share and share has no 'save' choice, unless you have a file
>>> manager, which can be a share destination, which can do that. (As said,
>>> no such problem with the Windows version of WhatsApp.)
>>
>> Hi Frank,
>>
>> Thanks for that data about Android WA not having a Share-to-Save choice.
>>
>> Thankfully, I found a way to add "Save on Device" to WhatsApp sharesheet!
>>   <https://i.postimg.cc/B6ryMZpn/saveasfile.jpg>
>>
>> As are almost all my solutions, it's universal, simple, and hence,
>> brilliantly elegant, since it works for any app that won't let you save.
> 
>    <barf!>

I also posted a solution using a file manager. But arguably, some people 
might find easier to use a small app that just does "saves as" which is 
easier to handle.

To me, it is easier to use an existing file manager than install a new 
app for a single purpose.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

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#156712

Frank Slootweg, 2026-10-28 18:20:

> Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
>> Maria Sophia, 2026-10-28 08:23:
>>
>>> Needed to have two toilet wax rings replaced so I received a PDF in
>>> Whatsapp on Android of the $750 estimate (I ended up doing it for $15). 
>>>  <https://i.postimg.cc/g2kQdrwY/toilet.jpg>
>>>
>>> My question is what free no registration Android app reads and saves PDF? 
>>
>> Why "save"? If you can view the PDF you already have it. And saving the
>> PDF you got via WhatsApp should be a feature of WhatsApp itself.
> 
>   I agree, saving *should* be a feature of WhatsApp, but - contrary to
> the Windows version - the Android version of WhatsApp does not have a
> save (file) feature, only Share. And by default - at least on Arlen's
> and my Samsung phone - Share does not have a a save choice either. So as
> you mention (below), you'll need a extra file manager to get that.

Exactly - "share" *is* the "save" feature, since this allows you to use
the data wherever you want. You can also "share" data it with a file
manager which then saves it as file.

>   But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.

Yes - *if* the PDF viewer has a "save" function. This was the original
question in this thread - which PDF viewer provides a "save" function.
And since you can just use a file manager to store data as file, I also
suggested to "share" it this way:

>> whenever you recieve any file via WhatsApp - not only PDF - you can save
>> it or "share" it with a file manage on your device to save it.
>>
>> My preferred file manager is Cx File Explorer.
>>
>> My preferred PDF viewer is MuPDF.


-- 
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

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#156737

Arno Welzel wrote:
> Exactly - "share" *is* the "save" feature, since this allows you to use
> the data wherever you want. You can also "share" data it with a file
> manager which then saves it as file.

Hi Arno,

You bring up a good point, where, moments ago, I had responded to Andy 
after looking up the design intentions, and agree with you on this fact.

Luckily, the solution I came up with uses the share feature to save.
 *PSA: I found a GREAT way to add 'save to device' to the Android share sheet (which works on apps like WA that don't want you to share to the device!)*
 <https://xdaforums.com/t/psa-i-found-a-great-way-to-add-save-to-device-to-the-android-share-sheet-which-works-on-apps-like-wa-that-dont-want-you-to-share-to-the-device.4806835/>

>>   But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
> 
> Yes - *if* the PDF viewer has a "save" function. This was the original
> question in this thread - which PDF viewer provides a "save" function.
> And since you can just use a file manager to store data as file, I also
> suggested to "share" it this way:

When I first saw you suggested "the PDF viewer" in WhatsApp, I didn't say 
anything because I don't see any PDF viewer inside of the WhatsApp GUI.

Notice I ignored, in this thread, all the suggestions that didn't work.
I focused on only the suggestions that stood a chnce of working for all.

I just looked it up to be sure about what I'm about to say next, which is I 
don't think there is a PDF viewer inside of WhatsApp, so that won't work.

Sure, it will work if the person has a PDF viewer, but, that's why I asked 
the question of what Android PDF viewer people felt they liked the most.

Of course, I have a billion PDF viewers, but that wasn't the question.
 <https://i.postimg.cc/tRmWnpFP/whatsappshare.jpg>

The question was hoping to find a GOOD PDF viewer (better than others).
-- 
On Usenet, we can pool our knowledge and skills so everyone learns more.

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#156738

Maria Sophia wrote:
> The question was hoping to find a GOOD PDF viewer (better than others).

In fairness to Arno, I should commend him for understanding the subject of
this thread, which he did, which is the chosen PDF viewer has to also save.

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#156749

On 2026-10-29, Maria Sophia wrote:

> Maria Sophia wrote:
>> The question was hoping to find a GOOD PDF viewer (better than others).
>
> In fairness to Arno, I should commend him for understanding the subject of
> this thread, which he did, which is the chosen PDF viewer has to also save.

Meanwhile, the one I did mention that also seems to have Save (As) has
eluded discussion so far :-D

-- 
Nuno Silva

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#156761

Maria Sophia, 2026-10-29 20:43:

> Arno Welzel wrote:
>> Exactly - "share" *is* the "save" feature, since this allows you to use
>> the data wherever you want. You can also "share" data it with a file
>> manager which then saves it as file.
> 
> Hi Arno,
> 
> You bring up a good point, where, moments ago, I had responded to Andy 
> after looking up the design intentions, and agree with you on this fact.
> 
> Luckily, the solution I came up with uses the share feature to save.
>  *PSA: I found a GREAT way to add 'save to device' to the Android share sheet (which works on apps like WA that don't want you to share to the device!)*
>  <https://xdaforums.com/t/psa-i-found-a-great-way-to-add-save-to-device-to-the-android-share-sheet-which-works-on-apps-like-wa-that-dont-want-you-to-share-to-the-device.4806835/>
> 
>>>   But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
>>
>> Yes - *if* the PDF viewer has a "save" function. This was the original
>> question in this thread - which PDF viewer provides a "save" function.
>> And since you can just use a file manager to store data as file, I also
>> suggested to "share" it this way:
> 
> When I first saw you suggested "the PDF viewer" in WhatsApp, I didn't say 
> anything because I don't see any PDF viewer inside of the WhatsApp GUI.

No, I didn't.

I assumed, that WhatsApp has a "save" feature (I never used WhatsApp).
And if this is not the case, then use "share" and select a file manager
like "Cx File Manager" as target where you then can save the file.


-- 
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#156763

Arno Welzel, 2026-10-30 15:24:

> Maria Sophia, 2026-10-29 20:43:
> 
>> Arno Welzel wrote:
>>> Exactly - "share" *is* the "save" feature, since this allows you to use
>>> the data wherever you want. You can also "share" data it with a file
>>> manager which then saves it as file.
>>
>> Hi Arno,
>>
>> You bring up a good point, where, moments ago, I had responded to Andy 
>> after looking up the design intentions, and agree with you on this fact.
>>
>> Luckily, the solution I came up with uses the share feature to save.
>>  *PSA: I found a GREAT way to add 'save to device' to the Android share sheet (which works on apps like WA that don't want you to share to the device!)*
>>  <https://xdaforums.com/t/psa-i-found-a-great-way-to-add-save-to-device-to-the-android-share-sheet-which-works-on-apps-like-wa-that-dont-want-you-to-share-to-the-device.4806835/>
>>
>>>>   But as I mentioned in my earlier response, you can just just view the
>>>> PDF from WhatsApp and then save the file from the PDF viewer.
>>>
>>> Yes - *if* the PDF viewer has a "save" function. This was the original
>>> question in this thread - which PDF viewer provides a "save" function.
>>> And since you can just use a file manager to store data as file, I also
>>> suggested to "share" it this way:
>>
>> When I first saw you suggested "the PDF viewer" in WhatsApp, I didn't say 
>> anything because I don't see any PDF viewer inside of the WhatsApp GUI.
> 
> No, I didn't.
> 
> I assumed, that WhatsApp has a "save" feature (I never used WhatsApp).
> And if this is not the case, then use "share" and select a file manager
> like "Cx File Manager" as target where you then can save the file.

The correct name is "Cx File Explorer" not "Cx File Manager".


-- 
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

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