WhatsApp has introduced a new feature allowing users to open, view, and annotate PDF files directly within WhatsApp Web and the Windows desktop app, launched this week. This integration with Adobe enables users to highlight, cross out, and draw on PDFs without downloading the files. The feature is rolling out globally but will reach users in phases, according to medianama.com.
When a PDF is shared in a WhatsApp Web or Windows desktop chat, it opens in-line, letting recipients scroll through pages and zoom in while staying in the conversation. Built-in Acrobat tools allow users to add annotations and send feedback directly through chat. Password-protected PDFs are supported, requiring recipients to enter the password before viewing. The files remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, restricting access to chat participants only.
This integration does not enable full document editing within WhatsApp. Users can review and comment on PDFs but cannot modify original text or page layouts. For advanced editing, users can select the “Edit in Acrobat” option, which opens the file in Adobe’s full web app where they can format text, reorder pages, apply passwords, and prepare documents for e-signature. Basic viewing and annotation tools are free, while advanced editing requires Adobe’s paid services.
The rollout of this feature is ongoing, with availability expanding gradually across global users of WhatsApp Web and Windows desktop apps. This marks a notable enhancement in WhatsApp’s document handling capabilities, streamlining collaboration without leaving the chat interface, medianama.com reported.