Quick Start: The 3 Best Ways to Make a PDF on iPhone
If you use your iPhone for work, school, or just everyday life, you’ve probably needed to save something as a PDF at least once — maybe an email, a photo, a web page, or a scanned document. The good news is, you don’t need a computer or fancy software to do it anymore. iPhones now come with built-in tools that make creating PDFs super easy. Here’s a quick rundown of the main methods:
- Use iPhone’s Built-in Tools – Turn almost anything into a PDF right from the Print or Files menu.
- Try a Third-Party App – Get more features like editing, signatures, and cloud storage.
- Scan Documents – Use your iPhone’s camera to turn physical papers into digital PDFs.
Now let’s break these down step-by-step.
Method 1: Using iPhone’s Built-in PDF Tools
The Print Menu Method (Works Almost Everywhere)
This is the easiest and most versatile option. You can use it with webpages, photos, notes, emails — pretty much anything you can open on your iPhone.
- Open the content you want to save (a webpage in Safari, a photo, a document, etc.).
- Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up).
- Scroll down and select Print.
- When you see the print preview, tap the Share icon again in the top right.
- Choose Save to Files.
- Pick a folder (or make a new one) and tap Save.
That’s it — you’ve just created a PDF. You can find it anytime in your Files app.
Convert Photos to PDF
If you want to turn images or screenshots into PDFs (like receipts, notes, or forms), here’s how:
- Open the Photos app and select the images you want.
- Tap Share → Save to Files.
- Pick a location and tap Save.
- Open the Files app and find the saved image.
- Press and hold the file, then tap Quick Actions → Create PDF.
Your new PDF will appear right in that folder, ready to share or edit.
Method 2: Make a PDF Using Third-Party Apps
While iPhones handle PDFs really well on their own, third-party apps can take things up a notch — especially if you often need to edit, sign, or organize PDFs. Here are a few of the most popular ones in the U.S. App Store:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Pros: Professional features, cloud storage, easy sharing, digital signatures.
- Cons: Some features require a subscription.
- Best for: Professionals and business users who handle PDFs daily.
- PDF Expert by Readdle
- Pros: User-friendly, strong editing tools, password protection, iCloud sync.
- Cons: Premium tools need a paid upgrade.
- Best for: Anyone who wants smooth, powerful PDF editing on iPhone.
- Foxit PDF Reader
- Pros: Fast, lightweight, and great for viewing and quick edits.
- Cons: Advanced options require a subscription.
- Best for: Reading and minor editing.
- PDFelement for iOS
- Pros: Full editing suite, form creation, document scanning, and OCR.
- Cons: A bit heavier on system resources.
- Best for: Users who want all-in-one PDF functionality.
Using third-party apps generally follows the same process:
- Install your chosen app.
- Tap Create PDF (or similar).
- Choose what you’re converting — a file, image, or scan.
- Follow the on-screen steps to customize and save.
Method 3: Scan Documents into PDFs
Your iPhone camera can double as a mobile scanner — perfect for digitizing paper documents, receipts, or forms.
Using the Built-In Notes App
- Open the Notes app.
- Create a new note or open an existing one.
- Tap the Camera icon → Scan Documents.
- Hold your iPhone over the page. It’ll automatically detect edges and capture it.
- Adjust corners if needed, then tap Keep Scan.
- Tap Save when done.
Your scanned document automatically saves as a PDF in that note.
Want More Control? Try a Scanning App
Apps like Genius Scan, CamScanner, or Microsoft Office Lens can:
- Auto-adjust lighting and edges
- Combine multiple pages into one PDF
- Add OCR (text recognition)
- Sync directly to cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox
Keep Your PDFs Secure
If you’re dealing with sensitive information, it’s smart to lock your PDFs with a password. iPhones running iOS 16 or later make this easy:
Lock a PDF in the Files App
- Open the Files app and find your PDF.
- Tap the down arrow next to the file name.
- Choose Lock PDF.
- Create and confirm a strong password.
- Tap Done — your file is now encrypted.
You’ll see a lock icon appear next to the file name.
You can also use apps like Adobe Acrobat or PDF Expert for more advanced security, including 256-bit encryption and cross-device sync.
Pro Tips for PDF Security:
- Use long, unique passwords.
- Keep your apps updated.
- Store sensitive PDFs locally instead of in the cloud.
- Review which apps have access to your files regularly.
Fixing Common PDF Problems on iPhone
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Print option not showing | Use Safari or another app that supports printing. |
| Blurry or low-quality PDF | Use higher-quality originals or increase resolution. |
| Large file size | Compress your PDF with a third-party app. |
| Can’t find “Lock PDF” | Make sure you’re on iOS 16 or newer. |
| Forgot password | Unfortunately, there’s no recovery — keep a backup record. |
Bonus: SEO Tips for PDF Files
If you’re creating PDFs for business or marketing, optimizing them for SEO can help your files show up in Google results. Here’s how:
- Add Keywords: Use “how to make a PDF on iPhone” in your title, headings, and metadata.
- Use Descriptive Filenames: Instead of “document1.pdf,” name it “how-to-make-pdf-on-iphone.pdf.”
- Include Real Text: Avoid using image-only PDFs — search engines can’t read them.
- Add Alt Text: For any images or screenshots.
- Keep It Mobile-Friendly: Single-column layouts look better on phones.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make a PDF on iPhone can save you a ton of time — whether you’re scanning documents for work, saving receipts, or sharing notes. Between Apple’s built-in tools and powerful third-party apps, you’ve got everything you need right in your pocket.
If you only need simple conversions, the Print menu method is perfect. For more advanced editing and security, go with PDF Expert or Adobe Acrobat. And don’t forget to lock sensitive files with a password.
Your iPhone is more than just a phone — it’s a complete document management tool. Once you get used to creating PDFs on the go, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.