As an iPhone user, you must have encountered a situation where you need to convert an image into a PDF document for sharing purposes. While there are various apps you can find on the App Store for this task, you may not want to spend money on something you may not use regularly. In this blog post, we explore the steps and tools you can use to convert an image to a PDF document on your iPhone for free.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To convert an image to a PDF document on your iPhone, you will need the following:
1. A device running iOS 11 or later
2. An image to convert
3. A PDF converter app
4. Internet connection
What requires your focus?
Before diving into the steps, you need to keep in mind the following:
1. Check your device for available storage before downloading a PDF converter app
2. Be careful when granting permissions to an app to access your photos and files
3. Avoid downloading PDF converter apps from untrusted sources to prevent malware infections
4. Follow the steps precisely to ensure a successful conversion of your image to PDF format
Method 1: Using Files App
The Files app is a built-in tool on iPhone that allows you to manage files, including PDF documents. Here’s how to convert an image to a PDF document using the Files app:
1. Save the image you want to convert to the Files app by tapping and holding the image, selecting ‘Save Image,’ then choosing the Files app as the destination. Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the image and save it in the Files app under the ‘Screenshots’ folder.
2. Open the Files app and locate the saved image.
3. Tap and hold the image, then select ‘Markup’ from the pop-up menu.
4. Tap the ‘Add’ sign (+) on the top right corner of the screen, then select ‘Signature > Add Signature’.
5. Create an empty signature by tapping ‘Done’.
6. Tap the ‘Add’ sign (+) again, then tap ‘Text’ from the menu.
7. Type in any text, then tap and hold on it until the text box turns blue.
8. Drag the blue handles to cover the image entirely, then tap ‘Done’.
9. Tap the ‘Share’ icon in the upper right corner of the screen, then tap ‘Print’.
10. In the Print preview screen, use a pinching gesture with two fingers on the preview image till it expands.
11. Then, swipe upwards on the screenshot to reveal the ‘Share’ and ‘ Copy’ options as a PDF preview of the image.
12. Tap on the ‘Share’ icon and select ‘Save to Files’.
13. Choose your preferred folder and tap ‘Save’.
Pros:
– No need to install additional apps.
– Available on any iOS 11 or later device.
– Easy to follow.
Cons:
– May be time-consuming if multiple images are to be converted to PDF.
Method 2: Using Adobe Scan
Adobe Scan is a free app available on the App Store that effectively converts images to high-quality PDF documents. It uses advanced image recognition technology to sharpen and clean up the image before converting it to PDF. Here’s how to use Adobe Scan:
1. Download the Adobe Scan from the App Store and open it.
2. Tap the camera icon on the bottom center of the screen.
3. Position your device’s camera over the image you want to convert, then tap the capture button.
4. Adjust the corners of the image, then tap ‘Save PDF’ on the bottom right of the screen.
5. Select the location in which you want to save your PDF, then tap ‘Save’.
Pros:
– High-quality PDF documents.
– Straightforward process.
– Automatically crops images before conversion.
Cons:
– Requires an internet connection to use.
– May be limited in functionality compared to the premium version.
Method 3: Using Microsoft Office Lens
Microsoft Office Lens is a free app that lets you convert images into PDF or Microsoft Word formats. It uses advanced algorithms to optimize images and remove background noise for better quality conversions. Follow these steps to convert an image to a PDF with Microsoft Office Lens:
1. Download and open the Microsoft Office Lens app.
2. Tap the camera icon to take a photo of the image you want to convert.
3. After taking the photo, use the crop and edit tools to adjust the image as necessary.
4. Tap the save icon to open the Save As screen.
5. Choose the PDF option and save the PDF document.
Pros:
– Offers options to convert images to different formats.
– Uses advanced algorithms to improve image quality.
– Integrates with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage services.
Cons:
– Frequent pop-up ads.
– May not be as user-friendly as other converters.
Why Can’t I Convert Image to PDF?
There are a few reasons why you may not be able to convert an image to PDF. Here are some of them and possible fixes:
1. Incompatible image format – Ensure that the image you are trying to convert is in a compatible format such as JPEG or PNG.
2. Storage space – Check that your device has enough storage space to save the PDF document.
3. App malfunction – Try closing and reopening the app you are using to convert the image to PDF.
4. Corrupted image file – If the image file is corrupted, try opening it on another device or editing it using image editing software before attempting to convert it again.
Implications and Recommendations
Converting images to PDF documents has become a common practice for office workers, students, and anyone looking to share images in a more secure format. In this blog post, we explored three methods to convert images to PDF for free on an iPhone. While each method has its pros and cons, it’s essential to select the one that best suits your needs.
Our recommendation is to use the built-in Files app method if you only need to convert a few images regularly. If you require frequent and high-quality conversions, we suggest using Adobe Scan or Microsoft Office Lens. Before using any app to convert images to PDF, ensure that it’s from a trusted source and avoid granting unnecessary permissions.
FAQs
Q: Is it possible to convert multiple images into one PDF document?
A: Yes, both Adobe Scan and Microsoft Office Lens allow you to merge multiple images into one PDF file.
Q: Is it safe to download PDF converter apps from the App Store?
A: Yes, apps on the App Store go through rigorous testing and certification processes by Apple to ensure their safety and reliability.
Q: Can I convert PDF documents back to image format?
A: Yes, various tools and software, including Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word, allow you to save PDF documents as image files.
Q: Do I need to pay for advanced features in PDF converter apps?
A: Most PDF converter apps offer advanced features as in-app purchases or through a subscription model. The free versions, however, usually provide sufficient functionality for basic conversions.
Q: Can I access my converted PDF documents on other devices?
A: Yes, most PDF converter apps allow you to save your converted documents to cloud storage services such as Dropbox and OneDrive or directly to other devices’ storage.