It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes you need a digital copy of something that’s meant to be printed. Whether it’s a receipt, a web page, or any document on your iPhone, saving it as a PDF is incredibly useful. While the “Print” option is readily visible, a direct “Save to PDF” button is surprisingly absent on iPhones. Don’t worry, Apple has hidden a handy trick in iOS to help you out.
Why Print to PDF on Your iPhone?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider why saving as a PDF on your iPhone is beneficial:
- Creating Digital Records: Easily archive receipts, tickets, and important documents digitally instead of relying on paper clutter.
- Sharing Documents Universally: PDFs are universally compatible and ensure your document looks the same regardless of the recipient’s device or software.
- Offline Access: Save web pages or articles as PDFs to read them offline, perfect for commutes or areas with limited internet access.
- Annotation and Markup: Once in PDF format, you can use various apps to annotate, highlight, or add notes to the document directly on your iPhone.
The Hidden “Print to PDF” Trick on Your iPhone
Here’s the simple yet often overlooked method to “print to PDF” on your iPhone, no extra apps needed! This works seamlessly on any iPhone running iOS 15 or later.
Step 1: Access the Print Option
Whenever you encounter content you want to save as a PDF, look for the share icon (usually a square with an upward arrow). This is typically found in apps like Safari, Mail, and other document viewers. Tap the share icon, and then scroll down the options until you see “Print”. Select “Print”.
This will bring up the familiar Print Options screen. You might expect to select a printer here, but we’re taking a detour to PDF town.
Step 2: The Magic Long Press
Instead of tapping “Print” in blue, here’s the crucial step: press and hold on the “Print” button at the bottom of the Print Options screen.
After a second or two of pressing and holding, the hidden share sheet will magically appear!
Step 3: Save to Files
In the share sheet that pops up, you’ll find the option “Save to Files”. Tap “Save to Files”. You can then choose where you want to save your PDF – iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or any other connected cloud storage service. Select your desired location and tap “Save”.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully “printed” to PDF on your iPhone without needing a physical printer.
Tips for Efficiently Saving PDFs on iPhone
- Organize with Folders: Within the “Files” app, create folders to categorize your saved PDFs for better organization.
- Use iCloud Drive: Saving to iCloud Drive ensures your PDFs are accessible across all your Apple devices.
- Rename Files Immediately: Before saving, rename the file to something descriptive so you can easily find it later.
Conclusion
While it’s not immediately obvious, the “print to PDF” feature on iPhone is a powerful tool once you know the hidden trick. By simply long-pressing the print button, you unlock a seamless way to create digital PDFs of virtually anything you can view on your device. Start using this handy feature today to streamline your digital document management and make the most of your iPhone. Did you find this tip helpful? Share this article with other iPhone users who could benefit from knowing this trick!
