How to Make PDF on iPhone Notes from Documents or Photos

The inbuilt Notes app on iPhone provides a handy solution for creating PDFs from paper documents. On this page, you’ll learn from our step-wise guide on how to do so.

Moreover, if you’re looking for a free but more professional scanning app, make sure to get PDFgear Scan.

How to Make a PDF in Notes With iPhone Camera

Apart from being one of the best free scanner apps, the Notes app on your iPhone is an excellent choice for converting your printed documents into a PDF file and save them online or offline. Since the app comes built-in, you do not need to download any third-party app on your device.

Step 1: Create a new Note on the Notes app

Open the Notes app and create a new Note. You should find the icon with the edit feature.

Step 2: Launch the camera to scan the document

Tap on the Camera icon to scan the document. Tap on Scan Documents from among the options. Scan the document that you want to save as PDF.

Step 3: Begin scanning the document

When you tap on the Scan Document option, it will launch the camera interface. Adjust the camera over the document. The app will capture the document automatically. The document will then be added to the saved documents list.

You can even opt for the Manual scanning option. This will need you to tap on the Auto to Manual. In this mode, you will tap on the camera icon to scan the document.

Step 4: Save the scanned document

If you are satisfied with the scanned document, save it by tapping on the Save icon. You can even scan multiple pages one by one.

Step 5: Save the document as PDF

On the Note app, open the PDF, and tap on the triple dot icon at the top right corner. Choose Send a Copy from the pop menu. Now click on the Mail or Print icon. The file will be saved as a PDF.

How to Convert Pictures to PDF on iPhone Notes

Every iPhone or iOS device comes with the Notes app. The app also lets you convert your photos into PDF. From within the Photos app, you can share your images as PDF. It can be your best bet for inserting photos inside a document and saving it as a PDF.

Step 1: Create a new Note on the Notes app

Open the Notes app and create a new Note. You should find the icon with the edit feature.

Step 2: Choose Photo or video that you want to convert 

Tap on the Camera icon just above the keyboard. Pick the option of Photo or video. 

Step 3: Choose your photo and add the album

You can choose as many photos as you would want to. Once you are done, choose Add Album. The photos will be added to the Notes page. Rearrange the photos in the order you want them in.

Step 4: Print the Photos 

Tap on the share icon at the top right corner and then choose Print.

Step 5. Share as PDF

Tap on the share icon again in the print menu. Click the Mail icon to share the PDF through mail and the photos will be sent as a PDF file.

How to Save iPhone Notes as PDF Using Markup

The markup feature is yet another easier option to save the document as PDF. The method, once again, uses the Notes app on your iPhone.

Step 1: Create a new Note on the Notes app

Open the Notes app

Step 2: Open the note you want to create into PDF

Simply tap on the note that you want to open as PDF. You can make any edits to the document if you want to. Once it is open, tap on the Share icon from the top right corner.

Step 3: Choose Markup as the sharing option 

Scroll through the sharing options and tap on the Markup option.

Step 4: Save the file as PDF

Add any annotation to the note. When you are ready to save the file, tap on Done. Next, select the option Save File to. When prompted, choose the location that you want to save the file to. That would do it, and the file will be saved as a PDF file.

Make PDFs on iPhone Using a FREE Scanner App

If you need OCR-powered scanning, editing options for your scanned PDFs, or want to share in different file formats, then a dedicated PDF scanner app is a choice.

PDFgear Scan is a free and versatile scanning app that automatically captures multiple documents, removes backgrounds, and corrects tilts.

Features	PDFgear Scan	Notes
Output Formats	PDF, Word, TXT, or images	PDF with raw text
Editing	Crop, rotate, apply filters, insert signatures	Basic editing
Scans Management	In list view	Searchable via Spotlight
Sharing	Airdrop, Email, apps	Email or messaging
Multipage Scanning	✅	❌
Automatic Deskew	✅	❌
Background Removal	✅	❌

FAQs

Can I edit the PDF after I create it in iPhone Notes app?

No, the iPhone Notes app does not allow you to edit the PDF once you create it. You will need to use a PDF editing software or app to make any changes to the file.

How can I share the PDF I created in iPhone Notes app with others?

You can share the PDF you created in the iPhone Notes app by tapping the Share button and selecting the method of sharing you prefer, such as email, text message, or AirDrop.

How can I organize the PDF files I create in the iPhone Notes app?

The PDF files you create in the iPhone Notes app will appear as regular notes in the app. You can organize them by creating folders or tags and moving the notes to those folders or tagging them.

Can I merge multiple notes into one PDF file in iPhone Notes app?

No, the iPhone Notes app does not have a built-in feature to merge multiple notes into one PDF file. However, you can use a third-party PDF editing app like PDFgear app to merge multiple PDF files into one.

Can I change PDF from portrait to landscape in iPhone Notes app?

Yes, when creating the PDF from a note in the iPhone Notes app, you can change the orientation of the output file from portrait to landscape by tapping on the “Orientation” button at the bottom left corner of the screen.

The Concluding Thoughts

Well, those were the three easy and simple options to help you create a PDF from the Notes app on iPhone. The simple and easy-to-use functionality available on the Notes app to help you convert a Note into a PDF should prove to be quite effective.