How to make PDFs on iPhone: Best apps, edit PDF, more

Scanning pictures or images to make PDFs on iPhones is quite simple and can be done in a jiffy. So, here’s a handy guide on how to convert pictures to PDF on iPhones, along with some of the best free apps to make your life easier.

Cameras in smartphones these days serve more than just clicking pictures and recording videos, and it’s no different for iPhones. In this fast-growing Internet era, scanning a few images on the go to make a small PDF or an ebook has become very handy, with the use of a single app.

This innovation has become really useful for people from various departments all over the world and has almost obliterated traditional scanners from existence.

With that said, here’s a handy guide on how to convert pictures to PDFs on iPhones. We’ve also listed down some of the best free apps to make, edit, and sign PDFs from the palm of your hand.



a screenshot of making a pdf on an iphone
It’s quite easy to create a PDF on iPhone (Image via Apple)

How to make PDFs on iPhone?

There are various ways to create PDFs on an iPhone. In this article, we’ve taken the Notes app into consideration, as it’s readily available and free to use.

Simply follow the steps we’ve mentioned below to make a PDF on iPhone:

  1. Open the Notes app.
  2. From there, you may either create a new one or select a note that you already have.
  3. Tap on the Camera button. This will start scanning a document within the Notes app.
  4. You need to tap the Scan Documents icon right after.
  5. Align the document or image you want in view of the camera.
  6. If your device is set in Auto mode, the document will automatically scan. Otherwise, tap the Shutter button to scan.
  7. You may also press one of the Volume buttons and drag the corners to adjust the scan to fit the page, then tap Keep Scan.
  8. Once it’s done, tap the Save button. You may add additional scans to the document if you need.

You may choose to use a different app other than the Notes app, as you may face certain limitations. Click here to jump to the section where we’ve listed down some of the best PDF Scanner Apps for iPhones and iPads.

a screenshot of signing a pdf on an iphone
It’s a breeze to sign a PDF on iPhone (Image via Apple)

How to sign a PDF on iPhone?

To sign a PDF on iPhone, follow the steps we’ve listed below:

  1. Head over to the Notes app again.
  2. Select the document or PDF you want to sign.
  3. Tap the Share button.
  4. Then, tap the Markup Markup icon.
  5. Then click on the Add button, followed by the Signature icon. You will need to create a new signature, otherwise, simply add the signature already saved.
  6. Now, adjust the size of the signature box and place it in your desired spot on the PDF.
  7. After that, tap Done.

Best free PDF scanner apps for iPhone and iPad

some free PDF scanner apps for iPhones and iPads
Either of these apps will do the job well

PDF scanner apps come in various pixels and sizes, out of which, most are free and do the job quite well. The apps that we’ve mentioned in the table below are free-to-download and use and work flawlessly with both iPhones and iPads.

Here are some of the best free PDF Scanner apps:

App NameRating
Adobe Scan4.9/5
Apowersoft Scanner3/5
iLovePDF – PDF Editor & Scan4.7/5
Microsoft Office Lens4.8/5
Notes4.8/5
QuickScan5/5

How to edit a PDF on iPhone?

To edit a PDF on iPhone, you’ll need to use Markup tools. It involves adding a blank page followed by a handful of steps:

  1. Open “Files” on your phone.
  2. Open any PDF file.
  3. Swipe to the right to bring in the thumbnail view.
  4. Press and hold on the file you want to edit, this will open the “Edit” menu.
  5. Select the “Insert Blank Page” option.
  6. Then, tap the “+” icon.
  7. Now you can edit the PDF document or file by tapping the Text, Signature, or Magnifier options.
an image of iphone 14 pro

FAQ

How can I edit PDF file in iPhone?

To edit a PDF file on an iPhone, use the Markup tools. We’ve mentioned the steps here.

How do I edit and fill a PDF form on my iPhone?

Here are the steps to fill out a PDF form on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Select the PDF you want to fill.
  3. Tap the Fill Out form option at the bottom.
  4. Enter the necessary info in it.
  5. Tap Save.

Can you write on a PDF form on iPhone?

Yes, you can use Adobe Acrobat to write in a PDF form on iPhones and iPads.

Can you convert pictures to PDF on iPhone without an app?

Unfortunately, no, you can’t convert pictures to PDF on iPhone without an app. You’ll need to at least use the inbuilt Notes app to convert pictures to PDF on iPhones and iPads.


And, there you have it — that’s a rundown of everything you need to know about making PDFs on iPhones. In the meantime, follow our Twitter and Instagram pages to stay connected.

For more about iOS devices, be sure to check other guides and content on our blog:

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