Format XPS (XML Paper Specification) is an analogue of PDF from Microsoft, which is often used to save documents with fixed layout. On Windows, such files are opened using standard tools, but owners of Android devices are faced with a problem: standard applications for viewing documents (like Google Drive or Files by Google) do not support the extension .xps. In this article we will analyze all current ways to open XPS on Android in 2026including offline applications, online converters and cloud solutions - taking into account their speed, security and functionality.

It is important to understand that XPS files can contain not only text, but also vector graphics, fonts and even scripts (in rare cases). This imposes restrictions on the choice of tools: not all apps display complex documents correctly. We tested each method on real files - from simple instructions to multi-page reports with diagrams - and identified the best options for different tasks.

What is XPS and why is it difficult to open on Android

The format XPS was developed by Microsoft as an alternative to PDF in 2006. He XML and uses technology OpenXPS to save the document layout, including:

  • 📄 Text with original formatting (fonts, paragraphs, indents)
  • 🎨 Vector and raster images (including transparency)
  • 🔗 Hyperlinks and annotations
  • 📊 Built-in fonts for cross-platform compatibility

On desktops, XPS opens via XPS Viewer (built into Windows 7–11) or Microsoft Edge. The situation is different on Android: Google hasn't added support for the format in Android System WebView, and most document apps (including WPS Office and Polaris Office) ignore XPS for PDF. Reasons:

  • 📉 Low popularity of the format among mobile users
  • 🔒 Patent restrictions (Microsoft did not disclose specifications for a long time)
  • 🤖 Lack of native libraries for processing XPS in the Android SDK
⚠️ Attention: Some XPS files may contain DRM protection (for example, documents from corporate systems based on Microsoft Rights Management). Such files will not open in any mobile application without special keys.

Top 3 offline applications for opening XPS on Android

If you need to regularly work with XPS files without access to the Internet, install one of these applications. We have selected only those that:

  • ✅ Support Android 8.0+ (including new versions)
  • ✅ Does not require registration or subscription
  • ✅ Preserve the formatting of complex documents
Application Play Market rating Editing support Size (MB) Features
XPS Viewer (from IceCream Apps) 4.3 ⭐ ❌ View only 12.4 The fastest rendering, supports XPS i OXPS
Universal Document Viewer 4.1 ⭐ ✅ Basic (annotations) 18.7 Opens 20+ formats, but works slowly with large files (>50 MB)
File Viewer for Android 3.9 ⭐ ❌ View only 8.2 Minimalistic interface, no ads, but sometimes cuts off document fields

To install:

  1. Open Play Market and enter the name of the application in the search.
  2. Click Install and wait until the download completes.
  3. Run the app and select the XPS file through the built-in file manager or item Open with... in your explorer.

Make sure that the application has been updated in the last 6 months|

Read reviews about XPS support (look for mentions of “doesn’t open” or “crashes”)|

Check permissions (should not ask for SMS or contacts)|

Download a test XPS file (for example, from examples.microsoft.com) for testing-->

⚠️ Attention: The application Universal Document Viewer in the free version displays advertising when opening files larger than 10 MB. To remove banners, you will have to buy the premium version (~$3.99).

Online services for viewing XPS without installing apps

If you do not want to download applications or need to open XPS once, use online converters. They work directly in the browser, but there are nuances:

  • 🔒 Privacy: The file is uploaded to a third party server.
  • 📶 Internet: A stable connection is required (minimum 3G).
  • 🚫 Limitations: The maximum file size is usually 50–100 MB.

The best services according to testing results:

  1. XPS to PDF Online (xpstopdf.com)

    Converts XPS to PDF in 10-30 seconds. Supports batch processing (up to 5 files at a time). Minus: "Converted by XPStoPDF" watermark on the output in the free version.

  2. Zamzar (zamzar.com)

    Universal converter that can convert XPS to PDF, JPG or DOCX. Plus: sends the result by email. Minus: processing queue (can take up to 10 minutes).

  3. CloudConvert (cloudconvert.com)

    The most flexible service with output file quality settings. You can choose the resolution for images or compress the PDF. Limitation: 25 conversions per day for free.

Instructions for use (for example CloudConvert):

  1. Go to the site and click Select Files.
  2. Select XPS file from the device memory or the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
  3. Specify the format for conversion (we recommend PDF).
  4. Click Convert and wait for processing.
  5. Download the result or save to the cloud.
💡

If The XPS file contains sensitive data (for example, scans of a passport), use local converter on a PC, and not online services. A free app XPS Annotator (Windows) or libgxps (Linux).

How to convert XPS to PDF on Android without loss is suitable for this. quality

If you need to not just view, but save the document in a more universal format, the best option is conversion to PDF. This can be done:

  • 📱 Via mobile applications (offline).
  • ☁️ Through online services (fast, but less secure).
  • 🖥️ Through a PC with subsequent synchronization to the phone.

The most reliable offline method is the application XPS to PDF Converter (from Cometdocs). It works without the Internet and saves:

  • 🔠 All fonts (including Cyrillic and hieroglyphs)
  • 🎨 Color profiles and gradients
  • 📎 Hyperlinks and bookmarks

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install XPS to PDF Converter from the Play Market.
  2. Launch the application and click Select file.
  3. Specify the path to XPS document in the phone memory.
  4. Select a folder to save the PDF (for example, Downloads).
  5. Press Convert and wait for completion (takes ~1 minute per 100 pages).
What to do if the PDF turns out to be "broken"

If after conversion the document is displayed incorrectly (for example, text overlaps the images), try:

1. Convert through another service (for example, Zamzar instead of CloudConvert).

2. Open the original XPS in XPS Viewer and take screenshots of the pages, and then merge them into PDF via Adobe Scan.

3. Transfer the file to your PC and use Microsoft XPS Viewer to print to PDF (via virtual printer).

Problems when opening XPS on Android and how to solve them

Even with the right application, you may encounter errors. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

Error Possible cause Solution
The file is damaged or not supported XPS was created in an old version of the specification (before 2009) Open the file on your PC via XPS Viewer and save as .oxps, then try again on Android
Not enough memory The file weighs >100 MB or the phone is weak (RAM < 2 GB) Use an online converter or split the document into parts via 7-Zip (XPS is ZIP archive!)
Text is displayed as crayon There are no built-in fonts in XPS Convert to PDF with the option Embed fonts (in CloudConvert)
The application crashes when opening Incompatibility with the Android version or a broken file Update the application or check XPS via virustotal.com for viruses

If none of the methods help, try extract the contents of the XPS manually:

  1. Rename the file extension from .xps to .zip.
  2. Unzip it via RAR or 7-Zip.
  3. In the folder Documents\1\Pages you will find pages in the format .fpage (they can be opened as images).

First time encountered|

1-2 times a month|

Weekly|

Constantly (for example, at work)|-->

Alternative methods: cloud storage and remote access

If the phone does not have enough processing power XPS, you can use remote access to a PC or cloud services with preview. For example:

  • 🖥️ Chrome Remote Desktop: Connect to your computer and open XPS via XPS Viewer.
  • ☁️ OneDrive/Google Drive: Upload the file to the cloud and open via web version Microsoft Edge (supports XPS).
  • 📱 TeamViewer QuickSupport: Ask a colleague from a PC to open the file and broadcast the screen to your phone.

For OneDrive the instructions are as follows:

  1. Upload the XPS file to folder OneDrive on the phone.
  2. Open onedrive.live.com in the browser Chrome or Edge.
  3. Find the file, right-click on it (hold your finger) and select Open in Edge.
  4. The document will open in the browser with all elements saved.
⚠️ Attention: When using Chrome Remote Desktop make sure that Remote connection is enabled on your PC in Windows settings (Settings → System → Remote desktop). Without this, you won’t be able to connect.

Comparison of methods: what to choose for your task

To choose the optimal method, evaluate your priorities:

Criteria Offline applications Online services Remote access
Opening speed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (instantly) ⭐⭐⭐ (depending on the Internet) ⭐⭐ (requires PC connection)
Security ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (the file does not leave the phone) ⭐⭐ (uploading to a third-party server) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (data only on your PC)
Support editing ⭐⭐ (annotations only) ⭐⭐⭐ (conversion to DOCX) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (full access to a PC)
Complex documents (>50 pages) ⭐⭐⭐ (may slow down) ⭐⭐ (size limitation) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PC power)

Recommendations for scenarios:

  • 📱 Read instructions or simple documents → XPS Viewer (offline).
  • 📄 Convert to PDF for printing → CloudConvert (online).
  • 🖥️ Work with corporate reports → Chrome Remote Desktop (remote access).
  • 🔒 Confidential documents → only offline applications or PC.
💡

For 90% of users, the optimal choice is a combination of an offline viewer (XPS Viewer) and an online converter (CloudConvert) for rare cases. It's a balance between speed, security and functionality.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about XPS on Android

Can I open XPS on Android without the Internet?

Yes, to do this, install one of the offline applications: XPS Viewer, Universal Document Viewer or File Viewer for Android. They work without a network connection, but require first downloading the file to the device.

Why does the XPS file open, but there are squares instead of text?

This means that the document uses custom fontsthat are not embedded in the file. Solutions: Non-standard fonts data-i="265">If the document is not important, take screenshots of the pages and combine them into a PDF.

  1. Convert XPS to PDF with option Embed fonts (V CloudConvert).
  2. Open the file on your PC and save with a checkmark Enable fonts.
  3. If the document is not important, take screenshots of the pages and combine them into a PDF.
How to open XPS on Android if the file weighs 300 MB?

Large files (>100 MB) do not open in most mobile applications:

  • Split. XPS into parts through an archiver (rename to .zip and extract pages).
  • Use Chrome Remote Desktop to access your PC.
  • Download the file to OneDrive and open through a browser Edge (supports large XPS).

If the document contains many images, try compressing it using Smallpdf (option Compress XPS).

Are there applications for editing XPS on Android?

There is no full-fledged XPS editor for Android. At most available:

  • Adding annotations in Universal Document Viewer.
  • Converting to DOCX via Zamzar with subsequent editing in Microsoft Word.
  • Editing on a PC with synchronization via Google Drive.

For serious work with XPS it is better to use desktop apps like Nitro PDF or Foxit PhantomPDF.

Can I open XPS on Android via Google Drive?

No, Google Drive does not support XPS preview. However, you can:

  1. Upload the file to Drive.
  2. Click Open with... and select the installed application for XPS.
  3. Or convert the file to PDF directly in Drive via Open in → CloudConvert (if you connect the service via Connect applications).