How to Preview Interactive PDFs on iPad Without a Device

You can preview how your interactive PDF will look and behave on mobile or tablet without using a real device. Flowpaper includes a built-in device emulation mode that lets you test layout, controls, and interactions for different screen sizes.

This is useful if you want to ensure your publication works correctly on mobile and tablet devices before publishing.

Video tutorial

Step 1: Open your publication

Open your project in Flowpaper Desktop Publisher.

Step 2: Enable device preview

Click one of the device icons at the bottom of the interface to enter emulation mode.

The main window will automatically adjust to match the selected device (desktop, tablet, or mobile), so you can preview how your publication will look.

Device preview controls in FlowPaper

Step 3: Adjust controls for different devices

Device-specific settings are available on the right side under the Controls tab.

At the top, you’ll find settings shared across all devices
Further down, you’ll find Desktop, Tablet, and Phone components Changes made here only affect the selected device.

If you want to adjust branding or global styling, use the Customize tab—these changes apply to all devices.

Mobile emulation preview in FlowPaper

Step 4: Test your publication

Use the preview to check:

navigation and controls
layout and readability
interaction on touch-based devices

Flowpaper simulates a mobile environment so you can test how your publication behaves without needing a physical device.

Optional: Preview in your browser

You can also force mobile preview mode by appending the #mobilepreview parameter to the viewer URL:

http://devaldi.com/zine/NZ_Tourism_2007.php?ro=html5,flash#mobilepreview=ipad

This allows you to test the iPad view outside the publisher.

Continue with Flowpaper

Test your publication across devices and adjust controls to ensure the best experience for your readers. Create a free account or explore more guides to optimize your interactive PDFs