Provide option to download PDFs

[js2]

Previously in Firefox for Android, following a link to a PDF would prompt to download the PDF. It now opens the PDF in an internal PDF viewer, without saving it to the device.

For some sites, it seems possible to download (by using the "open in app" button, then downloading via the device's PDF viewer), but for some sites this does not seem possible, since there is no "open in app" button.

A solution to this would be to add a setting which restores the previous behaviour of downloading the PDF, since downloading PDFs is an essential feature of a browser.

[Jon]

Hi @js2, 

This should already be available.

When viewing the .pdf file, open the Firefox for Android menu and select the Share icon. You should then see the option to download the file.

Hope this helps! If it doesn't work, let us know.

[js2]

Unfortunately, this option is rather hidden (why is it under share? You aren't sharing the PDF, you're downloading it), and it requires many clicks (one to open options, another to open share menu, a third to download and a fourth to confirm download). It should be one or two, not four.

Please additionally provide a setting to revert to the old behaviour as I very rarely want the new behaviour (although of course, there are many that do).

[Jon]

Thanks for the additional feedback! This is very helpful.

[whbrittain]

Firefox created this problem.  Firefox should provide an easy fix, not one that requires four clicks.  I access a number of online newpapers that do not give access to the pdf file directly.  You have to clike on a link on another web page.  When I tried the share option my PDF reader (XoDo) only gave me a blank screen.

[Jon]

Hey all,

Good news...

This is being worked on — feel free to track the work here and stay tuned for updates.

Thanks for sharing your feedback and ideas here on Mozilla Connect 🙌

[Jon]

Hey all,

Good news...

This is being worked on — feel free to track the work here and stay tuned for updates.

Thanks for sharing your feedback and ideas here on Mozilla Connect 🙌

[AngryAtMozilla]

I've just noticed the OPs issue in the latest version of Firefox for Android and I HATE this 'feature'. Please give the user a choice as to whether to view or download a PDF, don't force it one way or the other! In many cases I have no desire to view the PDF prior to downloading it, so I think the latest implementation of Firefox for Android is a retrograde step. Also, hiding the download option under the 'Share' option is just dumb.

[marco]

Thanks for your feedback! We have added a prominent button in the latest release to make sure it's easier to download PDFs. We are also working on adding an additional "Open in App" button to skip the downloading step.

[Jon]

High fives all around 🙌

This was delivered in the latest release—check out @marco's post for details.

Thanks again for your help in bringing this to life and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the community here on Mozilla Connect 🙌

Share your next great idea. 

[Jon]

High fives all around 🙌

This was delivered in the latest release—check out @marco's post for details.

Thanks again for your help in bringing this to life and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the community here on Mozilla Connect 🙌

Share your next great idea. 

[Jon]

High fives all around 🙌

This was delivered in the latest release—check out @marco's post for details.

Thanks again for your help in bringing this to life and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the community here on Mozilla Connect 🙌

Share your next great idea.