Adobe Acrobat Reader: Edit PDF

Adobe Acrobat Reader Adds In-App Image Editing

Adobe has released an update to Acrobat Reader on Android that introduces image editing capabilities directly within the PDF viewing experience. The update, detected on July 21, 2026, adds a new "EDIT IMAGES" feature to the mobile application.

What the Update Delivers

The changelog confirms that users can now perform essential image adjustments without leaving the PDF document they are working on. The available tools include:

• Crop – Trim image boundaries to focus on specific content.
• Rotate – Adjust image orientation as needed.
• Remove Background – Isolate subjects by eliminating background elements.

These edits are described as covering "small tweaks to essential adjustments," allowing users to make common modifications directly in the reading interface.

How It Works

The feature integrates image editing into the existing PDF workflow. Previously, editing an image embedded in a PDF required exporting the file, opening a separate image editor, making changes, and re-importing the modified image. With this update, those steps are consolidated into a single in-app action.

Adobe's desktop documentation describes a similar feature set where users can select an image and use tools under "Adjust Objects." The desktop version also includes an "Edit image" option that opens the Adobe Express editor for more advanced work. The mobile implementation follows a comparable pattern, handling basic adjustments natively while providing a path to Adobe Express for more complex edits.

Broader Context

This update aligns with Adobe's ongoing integration between Acrobat Reader and Adobe Express. The June 2026 release notes for Acrobat products include a feature where Reader prompts translation for PDFs whose language does not match the app's language setting, then opens the file in Adobe Express for editing. These additions indicate a strategy of using Express as a companion service for tasks that exceed Reader's native capabilities.

Scope of the Feature

The changelog specifically confirms crop, rotate, and background removal as the available tools. These three functions address the most common image-related adjustments users encounter when working with PDFs containing embedded images, such as contracts, scanned documents, and marked-up files. The update does not include more advanced editing options like brightness, contrast, or filters at this time.