Creating PDF from notes on iPhone becomes necessary when you need to share important information with people. In this digital age, sometimes it is more convenient to share information in a more organized and presentable way. The advantage of PDF is that it provides a consistent layout and formatting. This helps to enhance readability, especially when the content has bullet points, lists, and graphs.
The creation of PDF from notes on iPhone, depending on the method you choose, could be time-consuming and frustrating, but this article offers essential guidance on how to go about it using some available methods.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To create PDF from notes on iPhone, the primary software you’ll need is Apple’s Notes app. This app is pre-installed on iPhone and is easy to use.
You’ll also require a PDF converter. PDF converter turns your Notes app file into a PDF file since iPhone does not support exporting files directly as PDF. A PDF converter like Adobe Acrobat or online tools like online-convert.com, smallpdf.com, or pdf.io can do the job.
You will also need a good internet connection to access online PDF converters, especially for files with large sizes. A printer is also necessary if you need hard copy after the conversion.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
When converting Notes to PDF, it is essential to check that you have access to the login credentials of any online PDF converter you intend to use to avoid losing your work.
Also, be sure to rename the PDF files to relevant and descriptive names to enhance organization and retrieval. Failure to do so will make it difficult to find the document when needed.
Make sure you have enough space on your iPhone storage device to save the PDF file after conversion. PDF files contain images that may occupy a significant amount of space.
Method 1: Use Adobe Acrobat
1. Open the Notes app on the iPhone and select the note(s) you wish to convert.
2. Tap on the share icon located at the upper right corner of the screen.
3. From the pop-up, select "Print."
4. In the Print Preview screen, use the standard pinch-to-zoom gesture to zoom in on the preview.
5. Tap on the "Share" icon located at the upper left corner.
6. Select "Save to Files."
7. Choose Adobe Acrobat from the "Export As" menu.
8. The file will export, and you can access it from your Adobe Acrobat app.
Pros
– Adobe Acrobat provides an efficient and organized way of creating and storing PDF files.
– With Adobe Acrobat, you can edit the notes, as well as the PDF once it’s been created.
Cons
– Adobe Acrobat is not a free app, and it requires a subscription, which can be pricy.
– The conversion process may be time-consuming as the files are first converted to a printer-friendly format before exporting to PDF.
Method 2: Use Online PDF converters
Several online PDF converters like smallpdf.com, pdf.io, and online-convert.com can be used for converting Notes to PDF.
1. Open the Notes app on the iPhone and select the note(s) you want to convert.
2. Tap on the share icon located at the upper right corner of the screen.
3. From the pop-up menu, select "Print."
4. Zoom in or out of the print preview using standard zoom gestures.
5. Tap on the "Share" icon located on the upper left corner.
6. Select "Save to Files."
7. Share the saved file with an online PDF converter like smallpdf.com, pdf.io, or online-convert.com by selecting it and tapping on the "Share" icon once again.
8. Choose "Copy Link," and the selected PDF converter will generate a download link.
9. Once the link is available, open it to access your newly created PDF file.
Pros
– Online PDF converters are convenient and easy to use.
– They are free and don’t require subscriptions.
Cons
– Conversion time may be long depending on the size of the file and internet speed.
– Your files may be at risk in the online converter’s cloud service, posing a security risk.
Method 3: Using screenshot
1. Open the Notes app on the iPhone and select the note you want to convert.
2. Take a screenshot of the notes using the following command:
* If you have an iPhone that uses Face ID: Simultaneously press the side button and your volume up button to take a screenshot.
* If you have an iPhone that uses Touch ID: Simultaneously press the side button and home button to take a screenshot.
3. Open the screenshot and crop out the unnecessary screen elements.
4. Share the edited screenshot and select "Print."
5. In the Print Preview window, zoom in using standard finger gestures
6. Share this from the top left corner drop-down menu and select "Save to Files."
7. Rename the file to be able to find it easily.
Pros
– This method does not require any PDF converter; thus, it’s convenient.
– Screenshot-taking is an easy process.
Cons
– This method is only suitable for a few pages-note because it’s time-consuming and can be impractical for long notes.
– The PDF file created through screenshots is of low quality and may not support editing.
Method 4: Save directly using Notability App
1. Open the Notes app and tap the specific note you wish to export.
2. Tap the Share icon on the upper right side corner.
3. Click on the Notability App icon.
4. Wait for the note to save completely in the Notability App.
5. Open the Notability App and see the note you just saved readily available to use.
Pros
– Notability App is faster and more accessible than the other methods.
– Notability App features easy-to-use tools for writing, highlighting, coloring, and more.
Cons
– This method requires downloading the Notability App, which may not be suitable for people who prefer not to use additional apps.
– Note-taking apps can lead to reduced storage space, leading to slower phone performance.
Why Can’t I Convert Notes to PDF?
1. I’m not connected to a stable internet connection.
Fix: Use another internet connection or switch to a different PDF converter.
2. The PDF converter is not freely accessible.
Fix: Check for free PDF converters like smallpdf.com or pdf-io.com.
3. I’m trying to export notes with massive content.
Fix: Break down the notes in several parts and export each part individually.
Suggestions
1. Choose a PDF converter that suits your needs, features, and budget.
2. Always rename the PDF files to descriptive titles to facilitate easy retrieval.
3. Take screenshots for small notes instead of using the complicated conversion method.
4. Use a note-taking app like Notability for easy access and conversion.
5 FAQs
Q: Do I need internet connection to convert Notes to PDF?
A: Yes. Online PDF converters require a stable internet connection to convert notes to PDF.
Q: Can I edit my PDF file after conversion?
A: Yes. Adobe Acrobat and Notability app allow you to view and edit PDF files after conversion.
Q: Can I share the PDF file from my iPhone to other devices?
A: Yes. You can share the converted file using the share icon located in the upper-left corner of the Files window.
Q: Do I need to pay for PDF converters?
A: Not necessarily. Online PDF converters like smallpdf.com or pdf-io are free, while Adobe Acrobat requires a subscription.
Q: Do I need a printer for hard copies of the PDF file?
A: Yes. You will need a printer to get hard copies of the PDF file.