How-to
How to open and edit a DOCX file on an iPhone
The short answer
Tap the attachment in Mail or Files to preview it. To edit it, open Safari, go to Wrdio, press Choose a .docx and pick the file, then press Edit. Save a copy with File, then Share as DOCX or Share as PDF.
An attachment lands in your inbox and you are nowhere near a computer. An iPhone can handle that, as long as you know which route to take. Here are the easy ones, from reading to editing.
Just reading it
Tap the attachment in Mail or Messages. iOS shows a preview with the text and pictures. Press and hold to select words, or tap Share to send it elsewhere. A preview is for reading; it does not let you change the document.
Editing it with Wrdio in Safari
- Save the file to your phone. In Mail, tap the attachment, tap the Share icon and choose Save to Files.
- Open Safari and go to the Wrdio home page.
- Press Choose a .docx. The Files picker opens. Pick your document.
- Press Edit. The editor downloads about 9 MB the first time, so use Wi-Fi if you can.
- Tap the page to type. Drag one finger to scroll, and press and hold a word to select it.
- Save a copy. Tap File and choose Share as DOCX or Share as PDF. Safari puts it in your Downloads folder in the Files app.
iPhone note. Safari on iPhone may not show the "leave this page?" warning when you close a tab with unsaved changes. Save a copy before you switch away, and keep the original email until you have checked the result.
Other apps that open DOCX on iPhone
- Apple Pages opens and saves DOCX and is free on Apple devices.
- The Word app from Microsoft opens DOCX, with some editing features tied to a Microsoft account.
- Google Docs opens DOCX uploaded to Google Drive, and needs a Google account.
When it does not work
- The file greyed out in the picker. Make sure it ends in .docx.
- The editor will not start. Update iOS and Safari, close other tabs, and try again.
- Typing is awkward. Turn the phone sideways, or use a computer for long edits.
For more on phones, see how to edit a Word document on your phone, or the Android version of this guide.
Questions people ask
Can an iPhone open DOCX files?
Yes. Mail, Files and Messages preview them, and Apple Pages and other apps can open them. A browser tool such as Wrdio can open and edit them without an app.
How do I edit a Word document on my iPhone for free?
Open Wrdio in Safari, choose the file, press Edit and save a copy as DOCX or PDF. There is no account and no app to install.
Where does the file go after I save it?
Safari saves downloads to the Files app, in the Downloads folder.
Why does the editor not warn me before I close the tab?
Safari on iPhone often ignores the leave warning, so save a copy before you leave.