Where do PDF downloads go on an iPhone?
Discover how to pinpoint the location of the PDF files you’ve downloaded onto your iPhone.
It’s wonderful to be able to receive files on our phones, but where do PDF downloads go on an iPhone after we download them? Modern technology provides us with helpful shortcuts in our everyday lives. With just a few taps, you can download PDFs directly to your iPhone, make changes, and get on with your day in a matter of seconds.
But after you download those PDFs, how exactly do you find them again on your iPhone? Keep reading to learn where PDF files can be located on an iPhone.
Where do PDFs go on an iPhone? Check these places.
Once you’ve downloaded your PDFs to your iPhone, you’ll definitely want to locate them at some point. Where do you start? Here are a few places to check for your downloaded PDFs:
- Apple Books
- iCloud Drive
- Your preferred PDF reader app
- Files
Read on for instructions on how to find PDFs in each of these locations.
How to find a PDF on an iPhone in Apple Books.
Apple Books, formerly known as iBooks, is one place where your PDF files might be hiding. Here’s how you can find them.
- Open Apple Books
- Select the Collections option at the top.
- Tap PDF.
Apple Books should indicate whether or not you can see PDFs or all files.
How to find a PDF on an iPhone in iCloud Drive.
You can also find a PDF in iCloud. Here’s how:
- Open Files.
- Select Browse > Locations > iCloud Drive.
- To find your PDF, you may have to look through folders.
You may have to tap Browse multiple times to see the Locations option, and you may have to tap Locations multiple times to see the iCloud Drive option.
How to find a PDF on an iPhone in your preferred PDF reader app.
If you want to access your PDF with a PDF reader like Adobe Reader, you can follow these steps:
- Open the PDF reader.
- Select Files.
- Find your PDF file.
You may have to use some of the browsing instructions in the other sections to find your PDF file.
How to find a PDF on an iPhone in Files.
The broadest place to look for your PDF is in the Files app. You’ll be able to find it there if it’s on your iPhone.
- Open the Files app.
- Tap Browse > On My iPhone.
- Search your folders for the PDF.
It’s very likely that the PDF ended up in the Downloads folder, so search there first.
How to search for PDF files on an iPhone.
Using the search function on your iPhone might be one of the simplest ways to find the PDF that you’ve downloaded. Here are the steps for using the search function:
- Swipe down to find the search field.
- Enter PDF into the search field.
- Tap Show More to scroll further through searches.
If you can’t see any PDFs, make sure that Show Content in Search is turned on in the Siri and Search settings of your PDF reader.
After you’ve located a PDF on your iPhone, you can also search for content within the file. Learn how to search PDF files on an iPhone in more detail.
Where do PDF downloads go on an iPhone when sent via text?
Getting a text message with a PDF can be really convenient, but then how will you find that PDF later? When you download a PDF from a text message, you should check all the same places to find the PDF. The first place to check might be the Downloads folder in Files.
Where are PDF files stored on an iPhone when I download them in a browser?
It’s really common to find PDFs online. These PDFs can contain anything from contracts to assembly instructions to informational packets. When you’re looking for a PDF that you’ve downloaded in a browser, the first place to check is your Downloads folder. It could also have been saved automatically in Apple Books. If you can’t find it in either of those places, explore a few other locations.
How to send PDF files on an iPhone to others.
Now that you know how to find PDF files on your iPhone, you may be wondering how to send them to others. The PDF is one of the most shareable files, and it’s known for keeping its formatting no matter which device you view it on (even an iPhone).
You can send a PDF on your iPhone through most messaging apps and through text and email. You can also send a PDF through a PDF reader.
Read our guide here to learn more: How to share a PDF on an iPhone.
Can I find other downloads where PDF files are stored on an iPhone?
In almost all the file locations that you’ve read about in this article, there will be other PDFs or even downloads of other formats waiting for you. If you’re like many, you’ll be surprised to see many different files you’ve downloaded when you go looking for a newly downloaded PDF. If you’re looking for another file format (besides an image), it’s a pretty safe bet that you can follow the advice in this article to find them.
How to download PDFs on an iPhone.
iPhones are a popular device choice to help complete everyday tasks, including downloading PDFs. Now, mobile PDF tools enable you to put the power of PDFs in your pocket.
Not sure how to download PDFs onto your phone? Here are a couple of simple steps to guide you:
- Open your browser and locate the PDF you want to download.
- Click the PDF and select the link that says Open in Apple Books. Alternatively, if you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app or a different PDF reader on your iPhone, you can select either of those options.
What can I do with PDF files on an iPhone once downloaded?
Having PDFs at your fingertips and on the go can help you access important information without a computer to help you. Using PDFs on the go can also create a huge difference in your commute and work day. Now that you’re no longer wondering where PDF downloads go on iPhone, here are other ways to work with PDFs and phones:
- Learn how to scan PDFs on an iPhone.
- Want to send multiple pictures as one file? Convert photos to PDF on an iPhone.
- Have an Android in the family? Learn how to find PDF files on an Android.
- Now you’ve downloaded them, learn how to read PDFs on an iPhone.
Discover how seamlessly and efficiently you can work with PDFs from your mobile device. Explore what more you can do with Acrobat and Acrobat online services to convert PDFs, share PDFs, extract PDF pages, and send PDFs.
