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Google Docs viewer on Android, iPhone, iPad browser? Why, yes

Google announces an optimized version of its Google Docs viewer for iPhone and Android phones. The good news is that you won't need to download docs to view them. The bad news? It's view-only for now.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
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Jessica Dolcourt
Google Docs on iPhone 4
Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

As much as we'd like to say that we can do the same thing on a mobile phone as we can on a desktop, the truth of the matter is that unless you're toting a tablet like the iPad (and even then...), some tasks are just harder to do without some form of mobile-optimized view.

To that end, Google now optimizes its Google Docs Web site for iPhone, Android, and yes, the iPad. I speak from experience when calling the previous path to Google Docs from Android and iPhone arduous.

The new mobile version of the Google Docs document viewer lets you look at DOC, DOCX, PPT (PowerPoint), and PDF files in the browser. You can also pinch and zoom to better view your docs.

Spreadsheets on Google Docs' mobile version still look squashed and require zooming-in for legibility, but such is the nature of the beast.

We tested the new functionality on the iPhone 4 and Android Incredible with good results. The Google Docs viewer works just as well on third-party Android Web browsers like Dolphin HD as it does on the phone's default browser.

For now, Google's optimized Docs' mobile viewer is in view-only mode.  The company hasn't said when it will open up the mobile version to editing. To use it, simply navigate to docs.google.com on your mobile device.

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