How to Open XPS Files on Android

Android — whether that's a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or any other phone or tablet — has no built-in way to open an XPS file. The Gmail app and Files by Google both show .xps attachments as a generic file icon with no preview. The reliable fix is to convert the file to PDF, which every Android device opens natively. You can do the whole thing in your mobile browser without installing an app.

Why Android can't open XPS natively

XPS is a Microsoft format tied to the Windows print pipeline. Google never built a reader into Android, and the Play Store 'XPS viewer' apps are mostly thin wrappers around an upload-and-convert service — so you may as well convert the file directly and keep control of where it goes. PDF, by contrast, is a first-class citizen on Android: Drive, Files by Google, Adobe Acrobat and your browser all render it.

Convert XPS to PDF in your browser

Open this page in Chrome (or any browser) on your phone and use the converter below:

1. Tap the upload area and pick the .xps file from Downloads, Drive or your email attachment.
2. Leave the format on PDF and tap Convert.
3. Download the PDF — it lands in your Downloads folder and opens straight away.

The drag-and-drop area doubles as a tap-to-upload button on touch screens, so the converter works the same on a phone as it does on a desktop.

Opening the converted PDF

Once converted, tap the downloaded file to open it in your default PDF viewer. To keep it handy, upload it to Google Drive or save it in Files by Google; both index PDFs so you can search the text later. If you received the XPS as an email attachment, convert it first, then reply with the PDF — the recipient won't need any special software either.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an XPS viewer app for Android?

There is no official one, and most Play Store 'XPS viewer' apps simply upload your file to a conversion server. Converting to PDF yourself is faster and keeps the file under your control.

Can I open an XPS attachment directly from Gmail on Android?

No. Gmail shows .xps attachments as a generic file with no preview. Download the attachment, convert it to PDF, then open the PDF.

Does this work on a Samsung tablet?

Yes. The browser converter works on any Android phone or tablet — Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Amazon Fire (via a browser) and others — because it runs server-side, not on your device.

Will the converted PDF keep the original layout?

Yes. XPS and PDF are both fixed-layout formats, so the page looks identical after conversion. Text stays selectable and images stay sharp.

Last updated: June 2026