The “Docx Reader” app this page used to recommend is no longer available on Google Play, and APK copies from other sites are not worth the risk. You do not need a dedicated reader anyway. There are several free, well-maintained ways to open DOCX files on Android, most of them from Google or Microsoft, and one of them is probably already installed on your phone.
Free apps that open DOCX files
| App | View | Edit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Yes | Yes | Free, needs a Google account; can save back as DOCX |
| Google Drive | Yes (preview) | Opens in Docs | Handy for files you received by email or cloud link |
| Microsoft Word | Yes | Basic editing, more with a subscription | Closest to how the file looks on a PC |
| WPS Office | Yes | Yes | Free with ads and optional paid features |
Open a DOCX file with Google Docs
- Install Google Docs from Google Play if it is not on your phone.
- Open the file from your Files app, email or WhatsApp and choose Docs when Android asks which app to use.
- To edit, tap the pencil icon. To keep it as a Word file, use Share & export > Save as Word (.docx).
Open it in Microsoft Word for Android
Word shows complex documents, such as ones with tracked changes, tables and special fonts, most faithfully. Install it from Google Play, then open the file from the app’s Open tab or from your Files app. Reading is free; how much you can edit without a Microsoft 365 subscription depends on your device and the current Microsoft plans.
Why won’t my DOCX file open?
- No app is set for the file type. Install Docs or Word, then open the file again.
- The download did not finish. Download the attachment again; a partial file shows as damaged.
- It is password-protected. Only Word handles encrypted documents reliably; ask the sender for the password.
- It is really an old .doc file. Docs and Word open .doc too; if one fails, try the other.
Is it safe to open DOCX files from strangers?
Documents are a common way to deliver phishing links. Viewing a file in Google Docs or Drive is relatively safe because it is displayed from Google’s servers, but do not tap links inside documents from people you do not know, and never enter passwords on pages they open. Avoid “document reader” apps from unknown developers, which often ask for far more permissions than they need.
Open DOCX files on a computer without Word
On a PC or Mac, upload the file to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs, or use Word for the web with a free Microsoft account. Both run in the browser, so there is nothing to install. For moving files between your phone and computer, see our guide to transferring files between devices.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a DOCX file to PDF on Android?
Yes. In Google Docs choose Share & export > Save as and pick PDF, or use your phone’s print option and select “Save as PDF”.
Where are downloaded DOCX files saved?
Usually in the Downloads folder. Open the Files app (called Files by Google or My Files on Samsung phones) and look under Downloads, or search for the file name.
Do I need internet to open the file?
Word opens files stored on your phone offline. Google Docs can also work offline for files you have made available offline.
The simplest way to open DOCX files on Android is Google Docs or Microsoft Word, both free to install from Google Play. Skip unknown reader apps and old APKs, and you will be able to read and edit Word documents safely on your phone.