Control the PDF view with quick, configurable finger touch gestures.

Configurable by user

Finger gestures can be assigned to the actions that best match each user's reading and annotation habits.

Single or multi-touch

The app recognizes one, two, and three finger taps, plus one and two finger swipes.

Fast reading flow

Common actions stay available without opening toolbars, so navigation remains close to the page.

Safe defaults

The default layout keeps page turns, undo, redo, fit page, and history navigation easy to reach.

PDF links

Double-tap a PDF link to follow it. This opens URLs or jumps to cross-references, tables, figures, pages, citations, and other linked targets.

Recognized gestures

Use the gesture language that already feels natural on iPad.

Touch gestures are configured in Settings. Each recognized gesture can be mapped to a different command, including navigation, undo and redo, fitting the page, or doing nothing when a gesture should be ignored.

One gesture is intentionally fixed: double-tapping a PDF link follows that link. It is always available and is not configurable, so cross-references, citations, figure links, table links, page links, and URLs behave predictably.

Single finger tap Single finger double tap Two finger tap Two finger double tap Three finger tap Three finger double tap One finger swipe Two finger swipe PDF link double tap

Default actions

Ready to use, easy to change.

Gesture Default action Why it helps

Two fingers touch Undo Reverse an annotation or edit without reaching for a toolbar.

Two fingers double touch Fit page Return the document to a comfortable full-page view.

Three fingers touch Redo Restore the last undone action with a deliberate multi-finger gesture.

Three fingers double touch Do Nothing Leave an uncommon gesture unassigned unless the user wants it.

Pinch in/out to Zoom Off Avoid accidental zooming while reading or holding the iPad.

Swipe left with one finger Next page Move through the PDF with a familiar page-turn gesture.

Swipe right with one finger Previous page Go back one page without changing grip.

Swipe left with two fingers Go forward Move forward through link and navigation history.

Swipe right with two fingers Go back Return from citations, footnotes, figures, and previous jumps.

Always available

Double-tap PDF links to follow them.

Double-tapping a link inside the PDF follows the target immediately. It can open a URL, jump to a cross-reference, move to a table or figure, go to another PDF page, or follow a citation. This default behavior is not configurable. Use two finger swipe (default) to go back to original page after following a cross-reference link.

URL Cross-reference Table Figure PDF page Citation

Reading without interruption

The page stays central. The controls move into your hands.

Finger gestures are designed for quick navigation and document-level actions while the Apple Pencil remains focused on annotation. Users can keep the default setup or remap gestures in Settings so the PDF view matches the way they read.