The process of selecting which application automatically opens Portable Document Format files on an Android operating system is a user-controlled setting. This customization ensures that when a PDF document is accessed, the preferred software is launched to display the file. For instance, a user might prefer Adobe Acrobat Reader over Google Drive for viewing PDFs due to specific feature requirements.
This ability to customize the default application offers several advantages. It allows users to tailor their device experience to their specific needs and preferences. Furthermore, it can improve workflow efficiency by immediately opening files in the application best suited for the task at hand, whether it is annotation, form filling, or simple reading. The functionality has been a staple of Android operating systems for many years, evolving alongside application management improvements.