By PAYATE
Forms and applications ask for "a PDF", but your documents are photos in your gallery. Here is how to turn one or many photos into a single, clean PDF on your phone - without installing an app.
Table of contents
Method 1: Scan with your camera (best for documents)
- Open Scan to PDF on your phone.
- Tap Take a photo with your camera and photograph each page, or select photos you already took.
- Keep the Document look - it makes paper white and text sharp, like a real scanner.
- Tap Create PDF and download.
Method 2: Convert existing photos
- Open JPG to PDF (PNG and WEBP work too).
- Select all the photos at once and put them in order.
- Choose A4 for printable pages or Same as image for screenshots.
- Tap Convert to PDF.
Photos taken in portrait mode stay upright - the tool reads your camera's orientation.
How to take better document photos
- Put the page on a dark table so the edges are clear.
- Use daylight and avoid the shadow of your phone.
- Hold the phone flat above the page, not at an angle.
- Fill the frame with the document.
Built-in options
iPhone: the Notes app can scan documents (camera icon > Scan Documents), and the Files app can scan too. Android: Google Drive has a Scan button (+ > Scan). These work well but upload the files to iCloud or Google Drive.
Make the PDF smaller
Phone photos are large. If the upload form has a limit, run the PDF through Compress PDF. For documents with text you want to copy, use OCR PDF to recognise it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I combine several photos into one PDF?
Select all photos at once in Scan to PDF or JPG to PDF - each photo becomes a page.
Do I need an app?
No. Both tools work in Safari and Chrome.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. The PDF is created on your phone.
Can I use HEIC photos from iPhone?
Most iPhones convert photos to JPG when you select them in the browser. If a photo cannot be opened, change Camera > Formats to "Most Compatible".
Start scanning: Scan to PDF →
