How To Download PDF On iPhone

Before You Begin

Before diving into the various methods of downloading PDFs on your iPhone, it’s essential to ensure you have a compatible PDF reader app installed. The most popular and reliable choice is Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the App Store for free. Once you have the app installed, you’re ready to start downloading and accessing PDFs on your iPhone.

It’s also worth noting that the iPhone’s default browser, Safari, has built-in PDF support, allowing you to view PDFs directly within the browser. However, if you want to download and save PDFs for offline access or to share with others, you’ll need to follow one of the methods described below.

Now that you have the necessary tools in place, let’s explore the various options for downloading PDFs on your iPhone. Whether you’re trying to save a PDF from the web, download an attachment from an email, or transfer a PDF from a cloud storage service, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the method that best suits your needs.

Option 1: Downloading PDFs from the Web

Downloading PDFs from the web is a common requirement, whether you’re accessing research papers, e-books, or other documents. Thankfully, it’s a straightforward process on your iPhone. Follow these steps:

Open Safari or your preferred web browser on your iPhone.
Navigate to the webpage containing the PDF you want to download.
Tap on the link or button that indicates the PDF file.
The PDF will open in Safari’s built-in PDF viewer. To download it, tap on the share icon at the bottom of the screen.
In the share sheet that appears, scroll down and select “Save to Files.”
You’ll be prompted to choose a destination for the PDF file. Select the desired folder or location in the Files app.
Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your iPhone.

Once downloaded, you can access the PDF anytime by opening the Files app on your iPhone and navigating to the folder where you saved it. From there, you can view, share, or annotate the PDF as needed.

Remember that different websites may have their own unique interface, so the exact steps may vary slightly. However, the general process remains the same: find the link to the PDF, open it, and save it using the share menu.

Downloading PDFs from the web is a convenient way to access and store important documents directly on your iPhone. Feel free to explore websites, digital libraries, and online resources to find a wealth of PDFs to download and enjoy on your device.

Option 2: Downloading PDFs from Emails

Downloading PDFs from emails is a common need, as many documents, invoices, and other important files are often shared via email. If you’ve received a PDF attachment in your email and want to download it to your iPhone, follow these simple steps:

Open the Mail app on your iPhone and navigate to the email containing the PDF attachment.
Tap on the email to open it.
Scroll through the email to find the PDF attachment. It may be in the form of a file icon or a visible document preview.
Tap on the PDF attachment to open it.
In the PDF viewer that appears, tap on the share icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
In the share menu, you’ll see various options. Swipe left on the bottom row of icons until you see “Save to Files.”
Tap on “Save to Files.”
Choose the desired folder or location in the Files app where you want to save the PDF.
Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your iPhone.

Once downloaded, you can access the PDF anytime by opening the Files app on your iPhone and navigating to the folder where you saved it. From there, you can view, share, or edit the PDF as needed.

It’s important to note that these steps may vary slightly depending on the email provider and app you’re using. However, the general process remains the same: open the email, open the PDF attachment, and save it to the Files app using the share menu.

With this method, you can conveniently download PDFs from emails and have easy access to them on your iPhone, allowing you to manage and reference important documents quickly and efficiently.

Option 3: Downloading PDFs from Cloud Storage Services

If you store your PDFs in cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive, you can easily download them to your iPhone for offline access. Here’s how:

Open the respective cloud storage app on your iPhone (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive).
Navigate to the folder or location where the PDF file is stored.
Tap on the PDF file to open it.
In the PDF viewer, look for the share or action icon (usually represented by an arrow pointing upward or a box with an arrow).
Tapping the share or action icon will display a list of options. Look for the “Save to Files” or “Export” option and tap on it.
Choose the desired folder or location in the Files app where you want to save the PDF file.
Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your iPhone.

Once downloaded, you can access the PDF anytime by opening the Files app on your iPhone and navigating to the folder where you saved it. From there, you can open, share, or organize the PDF as needed.

It’s worth noting that these steps may vary slightly depending on the cloud storage service you use. However, most cloud storage apps provide similar options for sharing and saving files to the Files app on your iPhone.

By leveraging cloud storage services, downloading PDFs to your iPhone becomes more convenient and allows you to access your files from anywhere, anytime. Whether you need your PDFs for work, study, or personal use, cloud storage services make it easy to keep your documents at your fingertips.

Option 4: Downloading PDFs from File Transfer Apps

If you receive PDFs from other people through file transfer apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or AirDrop, you can download and save them to your iPhone effortlessly. Follow these steps to download PDFs from file transfer apps:

Open the file transfer app through which you received the PDF (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram, AirDrop).
Locate the conversation or chat that contains the PDF file.
Tap on the PDF file to open it.
The file should open in a preview mode. Look for the share or action icon, usually represented by an arrow pointing upward or a box with an arrow.
Tap the share or action icon to bring up a list of options.
Scroll through the options and find “Save to Files” or “Save to iCloud Drive”. Tap on it.
Choose the desired folder or location in the Files app where you want to save the PDF file.
Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your iPhone.

Once downloaded, you can access the PDF anytime by opening the Files app on your iPhone and navigating to the folder where you saved it. From there, you can view, share, or edit the PDF as needed.

It’s important to note that the exact steps may vary depending on the file transfer app you’re using. However, most file transfer apps provide a sharing or saving option that allows you to download PDFs to the Files app on your iPhone.

With the ability to download PDFs through file transfer apps, you can easily access important documents and files shared by others, making it convenient to view, manage, and refer to them on your iPhone.

Option 5: Downloading PDFs from Safari Reading List

If you come across a PDF while browsing the web on Safari and want to save it for later, you can add it to your Safari Reading List and download it to your iPhone. Here’s how:

Open Safari on your iPhone and navigate to the webpage that contains the PDF you want to download.
Tap on the share icon at the bottom of the screen.
In the share menu that appears, swipe left on the bottom row of icons until you see the “Add to Reading List” option with glasses icon.
Tap on “Add to Reading List.”
Once added, the webpage will be saved in your Safari Reading List.
To access the Reading List, tap on the book icon at the bottom of the Safari screen.
In the Reading List, you’ll see the webpage you saved. Tap on it to open it.
If the webpage contains a PDF, it will be displayed. Tap on the PDF to open it.
In the PDF viewer, tap on the share icon at the bottom of the screen.
In the share menu that appears, scroll down and select “Save to Files.”
Choose the desired folder or location in the Files app where you want to save the PDF file.
Tap “Save” to download the PDF to your iPhone.

By utilizing the Safari Reading List feature, you can easily save and download PDFs for offline reading, allowing you to access your favorite articles, research papers, or any other PDF content directly from your iPhone’s Files app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about downloading PDFs on iPhone:

Can I download PDFs on my iPhone without using a third-party app?
Yes, you can download PDFs on your iPhone without using a third-party app. The built-in Files app and Safari browser provide native support for downloading and managing PDF files.
Can I open and view PDFs on my iPhone after downloading?
Yes, once you have downloaded the PDF on your iPhone, you can open and view it using the Files app or any PDF reader app such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the App Store.
Can I organize downloaded PDFs into folders?
Absolutely! The Files app on your iPhone allows you to create folders and organize your downloaded PDFs into different categories or according to your preferred organization system.
Do I need an internet connection to access downloaded PDFs?
No, once you have downloaded the PDFs on your iPhone, they are stored locally in the Files app, and you can access them offline without an internet connection.
Can I share downloaded PDFs with others?
Yes, you can easily share downloaded PDFs with others. Simply open the Files app, locate the PDF file, and use the share option to send it via email, messaging apps, or even upload it to cloud storage services for easy sharing.

These are just a few of the most common questions regarding downloading PDFs on iPhone. If you have any additional queries, we recommend exploring the official support pages of Apple or the specific apps you are using for more information.