DB LabsDB Labs

Updated March 12, 2026

By Jack Smith, iOS Developer at DB Labs

How-To

How to Create a PDF from Photos on iPhone

Need to convert photos to a PDF for work, school, or personal use? iOS has multiple built-in methods that require no third-party apps and cost nothing.

March 12, 2026  ·  6 min read

Quick Answer

Select photos in the Photos app, tap Share > Print, then pinch outward (zoom in) on the print preview with two fingers. This converts the preview into a PDF. Tap Share again to save, email, or send the PDF. Each photo becomes one page. This works with any number of photos and is completely free.

Method 1: The Print Trick (Fastest)

This hidden iOS feature is the quickest way to create a PDF from photos. It works because iOS generates a PDF for the print preview, which you can intercept.

1 Select Your Photos

Open the Photos app. Tap Select in the upper right and choose the photos you want in the PDF. They will appear in the PDF in the order you select them.

2 Tap Share, Then Print

Tap the Share button (square with up arrow). Scroll down in the share sheet and tap Print. Do not worry about selecting a printer — you will not actually print anything.

3 Pinch to Create PDF

On the print preview screen, place two fingers on the photo preview and pinch outward (spread your fingers apart, as if zooming in). The preview transforms into a full-screen PDF view. This is the key step that most people do not know about.

4 Share or Save the PDF

Now tap the Share button in the upper right of the PDF preview. From here you can Save to Files (to store on your iPhone, iCloud Drive, or an external drive), Mail it, send via Messages, AirDrop it, or use any other share option.

Method 2: Using the Books App

Apple Books can automatically create PDFs from photos you share to it.

1 Select Photos and Share

In the Photos app, select the photos you want. Tap the Share button.

2 Choose Books

In the share sheet, find and tap Books (you may need to scroll the app row). If you do not see Books, tap More and look for it in the list.

3 PDF Created Automatically

Books opens and creates a multi-page PDF with your photos. The PDF is saved in your Books library. To share it, open the PDF in Books, tap the menu (three dots), and choose Share PDF.

Method 3: Using the Files App

If your photos are already saved in the Files app (not just the Photos library), you can create a PDF directly.

1 Save Photos to Files First

If your photos are in the Photos app, select them, tap Share, then Save to Files and choose a folder in the Files app.

2 Select Images in Files

Open the Files app, navigate to the folder containing your photos, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right, and tap Select. Choose the images you want.

3 Create PDF

With images selected, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right and choose Create PDF. iOS generates a multi-page PDF in the same folder. Rename it by long-pressing the file and tapping Rename.

Which method should I use? The Print trick (Method 1) is fastest for quick conversions. The Books method is best if you want to store and read the PDF later. The Files app method gives you the most control over file organization and naming.

Tips for Better Photo PDFs

  • Photo order matters: Photos appear in the PDF in the order you select them. In the Photos app, select them in the sequence you want for the PDF.
  • Orientation: Portrait photos create portrait pages, landscape photos create landscape pages. The PDF adjusts automatically.
  • File size: A 10-photo PDF is typically 5-15 MB. For smaller files, consider reducing photo resolution first using the Markup editor (crop to reduce dimensions).
  • Document scanning: If you are creating a PDF of a physical document, use the Notes app's built-in scanner instead. Open Notes > new note > camera icon > Scan Documents for better results.
Tip: Before creating PDFs, clean up your photo library so you can find the images you need quickly. Swype Photo Cleaner helps you sort through your camera roll fast — swipe left to delete, right to keep.

For more photo management tips, see our complete iPhone storage guide or learn how to reduce iPhone photo file sizes.

Find Your Photos Faster

A clean camera roll makes finding the right photos for your PDF easy. Swype Photo Cleaner helps you remove the clutter quickly.

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+ · 100% on-device, zero uploads

Download on theApp Store

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a PDF from photos on iPhone?

Select photos in the Photos app, tap Share > Print, then pinch outward on the print preview to create a PDF. Tap Share again to save or send it. Each photo becomes one page.

Can I combine multiple photos into one PDF on iPhone?

Yes. Select multiple photos, use the Print trick (Share > Print > pinch to zoom), and all selected photos become pages in a single PDF. The Books app also combines multiple photos into one PDF automatically.

Is there a free way to make a PDF from iPhone photos?

Yes. The Print dialog trick, Books app, and Files app all create PDFs for free with no third-party apps required. The Print method is the most versatile.