# Opening a .doc or docx in IOS starts in read-only **URL:** \ **Category:** User Support\ **Created:** [July 23, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958 "2023-07-23T05:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![forrestjf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@forrestjf](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/forrestjf)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/1 "2023-07-23T05:45:24Z")
I’m trying to set up a .docx that can be edited and then saved on a IOS device. When people download the document it opens in read-only mode. Then the user has to export it and then open the export file in order to edit it. On Android it just opens, people can type on it and then save it. Is there a way to get this normal process to occur in IOS? Are there advantages to using Collabora Online for something like this? ---
**Author:** ![Tex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Tex](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/Tex)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 11:41am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/2 "2023-07-27T11:41:11Z")
Hey @forrestjf, Welcome to the forum. Thanks for posting. 🙂 Just a few questions that’ll help: - Are you using the “Collabora Office” iOS app? - If yes, which device + versions? - Are you using “Collabora Online” in the browser? - If yes, which browser + versions? > I’m trying to set up a .docx that can be edited and then saved on a IOS device. Can you give a few steps so we could try to reproduce your issue? And explain what you’re trying to accomplish a little more? If I understand correctly, you: - Have a DOCX file somewhere. - (On your computer? Google Drive? On phone? URL?) - Want users to be able to open/edit that file on their device. - (In their app? In their browser?) - Keep the edited DOCX with them on their phone. > On Android it just opens, people can type on it and then save it. Hmm, I don’t believe so. In the Android “Collabora Office” app, the DOCX opens in a read-only state, then you press the little Edit button, then you can begin editing your document. ---
**Author:** ![forrestjf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@forrestjf](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/forrestjf)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/3 "2023-07-27T19:02:58Z")
Hi! IOS 15.7.7 Collabora Office app. Newest version. Forrest Fisher Vancouver, WA ---
**Author:** ![Tex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Tex](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/Tex)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/4 "2023-07-29T00:32:50Z")
I assume you’re on: - **Collabora Office 22.05.17** - + iOS app (If you visit the “Collabora Office” app in your app store, it should show the version somewhere.) (I just double-checked on my end, and I see that was the latest iOS release from Jul 10, 2023.) **Side Note:** “Newest version” might mean something different a week or month from now. So if someone runs across this issue in the future, it helps to know the exact versions! ---
**Author:** ![forrestjf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@forrestjf](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/forrestjf)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/5 "2023-07-29T01:17:25Z")
> [@Tex](#): > > Hmm, I don’t believe so. In the Android “Collabora Office” app, the DOCX opens in a read-only state, then you press the little Edit button, then you can begin editing your document. Quite true. But on iOS I’m not seeing the edit circle button. I can teach people to use the edit function as that’s fairly intuitive. But on iOS the only way I can get it to work is to Export it to the phone and then open that copy. ---
**Author:** ![Tex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Tex](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/Tex)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/6 "2023-07-29T02:50:59Z")
> But on iOS I’m not seeing the edit circle button. Weird, I would’ve thought it would be: - Pick any ODT/DOCX/… document. - Document opens in Viewer first. - Document can be viewed/scrolled fine. - You get basic menu - File + Export As + Word Count + … - Press floating “Edit” button. - Now document can now be updated/changed. - You get the full menus/controls - Bold/Italic/Underline + Font Colors + … Just like the (Android) workflow discussed in another thread a few weeks ago: - [Please DO NOT save automatically. (Android) - #5 by mmeeks](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/please-do-not-save-automatically-android/689/5) I would’ve thought iOS version would be _very similar_, but I’m not 100% sure—(I only use/test Linux + Android versions). Someone more knowledgeable on the iOS version will probably be coming in and answering your questions/comments soon. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ezinne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@Ezinne](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/Ezinne)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 8:38am UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/7 "2023-08-03T08:38:34Z")
The edit button should be visible. I can see the Edit button on my iOS app ![IMG-0223](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/collaboraonline/original/1X/24a37545985713bc9b33c57e301fc9cda85f524f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![forrestjf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@forrestjf](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/forrestjf)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/8 "2023-08-03T17:32:27Z")
Ezinne, When opening a file that’s already on the device (in Files), I get the Edit Circle too. But when people download the document, it opens in read-only mode. Then the user has to export it and then open the exported file (from Files) to edit it. On Android it just opens, people can type on it and then save it. That’s the issue. It works on Android but not iOS. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a security setting in iOS that’s interfering. ---
**Author:** ![PeteFrancis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@PeteFrancis](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/u/PeteFrancis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.collaboraonline.com/t/opening-a-doc-or-docx-in-ios-starts-in-read-only/1958/9 "2025-08-04T13:59:28Z")
I realize this question is a little long in the tooth, but since I might have a solution I figured I’d weigh in anyway. If I open the OneDrive app on my iPhone, navigate to the file, and then tap the “…” Open In Another App, and then select the Collabora app, then it opens read-only with no edit button. But if I start in the Collabora app and open the file from inside the app (Browse… OneDrive, Navigate to the file) then it opens and I can edit it. Hope this helps!