How to Convert A Picture to a PDF on iPhone (No 3rd Party App Needed)

Kimberly Perez

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Converting pictures to PDF on an iPhone is easier than you might think. You don’t need a third-party app—just use the built-in features of iOS. This method is fast and straightforward. All you need is the Photos app, which comes pre-installed on every iPhone.

Start by selecting the photos you want to convert. Open the Photos app, and navigate to the images you wish to use. Use the Select button in the top-right corner to choose multiple pictures. Once you’ve selected them, tap the Share icon and look for the Print option. This might sound unusual for creating a PDF, but it works seamlessly.

After tapping Print, you’ll see a preview of your images. Perform a pinch-out gesture on this preview, which will convert it into a PDF. Now, you can share or save the PDF to your desired location. This method is quick and doesn’t require any additional downloads, making it perfect for anyone on the go.

Picture-Perfect PDFs on Your iPhone

Using the Files App

  1. Move Image to Files: Find the image in your Photos app, tap the share button, and choose “Save to Files.”
  2. Locate the Image: Open the Files app and find the saved image.
  3. Quick Actions: Tap and hold the image, then select “Quick Actions” and choose “Create PDF.”
  4. Save: The new PDF will be saved in the same location as the original image.

Using the Print Option

  1. Open the Image: Find the image in your Photos app.
  2. Share and Print: Tap the share button, then select “Print.”
  3. Zoom and Rotate: Pinch to zoom and use two fingers to rotate the image to landscape orientation if desired.
  4. Save as PDF: Tap and hold the preview, then select “Save to Files” to save it as a PDF.
MethodStepsNotes
Files App (Quick Actions)Save image to Files -> Locate image -> Tap and hold -> Quick Actions -> Create PDFSimpler method for single image conversion.
Print OptionOpen image -> Share -> Print -> Zoom/Rotate (optional) -> Tap and hold preview -> Save to FilesOffers more flexibility for multiple images.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the Photos app to select and prepare your images for conversion.
  • Tap the Share icon and use the Print option to start the process.
  • Perform a pinch-out gesture to convert and save the images as a PDF.

Preparing Your Photos for Conversion

Before converting photos to PDF, you must choose and organize your images in the Photos app. This ensures a smooth process for converting your pictures.

Selecting Images in the Photos App

Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Tap the Select button in the top-right corner. Choose the photos you want to convert by tapping on each one. A checkmark appears on the selected images.

Tips:

  • You can select photos from different albums or Recents.
  • If you have multiple images, it’s easier to select them first before organizing.
  • The Photos app supports formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and HEIC.

After selecting, press the Share icon, often shown as a box with an arrow. This will allow you to proceed with conversion options.

Organizing Images for Conversion

Once your images are selected, consider organizing them into a new album or folder. This makes it easier to manage, especially if you use cloud services like iCloud Drive or Google Drive. Organizing helps keep your projects simple and tidy.

Steps to Organize:

  1. Tap the Share icon after selecting images.
  2. Choose Save to Files.
  3. Select your desired location within iCloud Drive or another folder.

By saving your images in a specific folder, you ensure they are easy to find when you convert them to PDF. This organization prevents confusion and saves time when retrieving documents.

Converting Images to PDF Using Built-In iOS Features

iPhones and iPads offer native ways to convert photos to PDF files without third-party apps. Below are easy methods to create PDFs and share them instantly.

Using the Print Option to Create a PDF

To convert a photo to a PDF using the Print option:

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Select the picture or multiple pictures you want.
  3. Tap the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up).
  4. Scroll down and choose Print.
  5. In the Print preview, use a two-finger pinch-out gesture to enlarge the page preview. This action changes the preview into a PDF file.
  6. Tap the Share icon again to save or share the PDF.

This method is quick and uses features already on the device.

Saving and Sharing Converted PDFs

After creating a PDF, you often need to save or share it:

  1. Once the PDF preview is ready, tap the Share icon.
  2. Choose the location or method to save or share the file. Options include saving to the Files app, sharing via AirDrop, iMessage, email, or opening in Adobe Acrobat or Books app.
  3. Name the PDF file if prompted and save.

These steps make it easy to convert photos to PDFs and share them.