Saving an email as a PDF on your iPhone or iPad is a straightforward process. Simply open the mail app, select the email you want to save, tap the share icon, and choose ‘Print’ from the options. Then, use the pinch-to-zoom gesture on the print preview to open the PDF version, and share it to save or send it to another app.
After completing this action, you will have a PDF version of the email that can be stored, shared, or printed as needed. This is a handy way to keep important emails for future reference or to share them with others who may not have access to your email account.
Introduction
Ever needed to save an email for later but didn’t want to keep it in your cluttered inbox? Or maybe you had to share it with someone who doesn’t have access to your email? Converting emails to PDFs on your iPhone or iPad can be a lifesaver in these situations. It’s an easy process that ensures your emails are preserved in a widely-accepted format that’s perfect for archiving, sharing, or printing.
Why is this important? Well, PDFs are like digital paper—they look the same on any device, and the content can’t be easily altered, making them perfect for important documents like contracts, receipts, and, of course, emails. Plus, almost everyone can open a PDF, whether they’re on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. And let’s face it, we use our iPhones and iPads for pretty much everything these days, so knowing how to save an email as a PDF on these devices is a skill that’s becoming increasingly relevant to all of us.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Save an Email as a PDF on iPhone or iPad
The following steps will guide you through the process of converting an email into a PDF document on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 1: Open the Mail app and select the email
First things first, open up that Mail app and find the email you want to save as a PDF.
Once you have the email open, you’re already halfway there. This step is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s crucial because, well, you can’t save an email as a PDF if you don’t have the email open. So take a moment to find the email you need.
Step 2: Tap the Share icon
Look for the little box with an upward arrow, that’s your Share icon, and give it a tap.
This step is your gateway to the PDF world. The Share icon is like a Swiss Army knife—it gives you a bunch of options for what you can do with your email, and turning it into a PDF is one of those options.
Step 3: Choose ‘Print’ from the Share options
Scroll down a bit if you need to until you see the ‘Print’ option, and then tap on that.
Okay, you might be thinking, “But I want a PDF, not a printout!” Hang tight! The Print option is a bit of a secret doorway to creating a PDF. Trust the process, and you’ll see.
Step 4: Use the pinch-to-zoom gesture on the print preview
Once you’re on the print screen, use two fingers to zoom in on the preview of the email.
This step feels a bit like a magic trick. By zooming in, you’re not just making things bigger—you’re actually transforming the preview into a PDF. It’s like the email is saying, “Abracadabra!” and changing forms right before your eyes.
Step 5: Share the PDF
Now that you’ve got your PDF, tap the Share icon again to save it to your files or send it to another app.
You’ve done it! You’ve turned an email into a PDF, and now you can do whatever you need with it—save it for your records, send it off to someone else, or print it out for a physical copy.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Preservation | Saving emails as PDFs helps to preserve the content in a static, unalterable format, which is great for keeping records. |
| Sharing | PDFs can be easily shared with others, making it simple to pass along information without granting access to your email account. |
| Compatibility | PDFs can be opened on virtually any device, ensuring the content can be viewed exactly as intended, no matter where it’s accessed. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Storage Space | PDFs take up storage space on your device, which could be a concern if you’re saving a large number of emails. |
| Time-consuming | The process can be a bit time-consuming if you have many emails to convert, as each one needs to be processed individually. |
| Limited Editing | Once an email is saved as a PDF, it can’t be easily edited, which could be a limitation if changes need to be made. |
Additional Information
When saving an email as a PDF on your iPhone or iPad, remember that the quality of the PDF will depend on the original email. If the email has images or complex formatting, the PDF should capture this perfectly. However, if the email is already low quality, the PDF won’t miraculously improve it.
Also, consider organizing your saved PDFs into folders within your Files app. This will help you keep track of your documents and make it easier to find them later. And don’t forget, you can rename the PDFs too, so they’re easier to identify.
Another tip is to periodically back up your saved PDFs to a cloud service or external storage. This protects your documents in case something happens to your device. Finally, if you’re saving a PDF for legal or official purposes, ensure the PDF format is accepted for such uses.
Summary
- Open the Mail app and select the email.
- Tap the Share icon.
- Choose ‘Print’ from the Share options.
- Use the pinch-to-zoom gesture on the print preview.
- Share the PDF to save or send it to another app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save multiple emails as one PDF?
No, each email needs to be saved as a separate PDF.
Will the PDF look exactly like the email?
Yes, the PDF should be an exact replica of your email, including all formatting and images.
Can I edit the PDF once it’s created?
Not directly, you’d need to use a separate PDF editing app for that.
Is there a limit to how many PDFs I can save?
No, you can save as many as you like, providing you have enough storage space.
Can I print the PDF directly from my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, you can print the PDF directly if you have a compatible printer set up with AirPrint.
Conclusion
There you have it, a simple guide on how to save an email as a PDF on your iPhone or iPad. This knowledge is incredibly useful in our digital world where information needs to be stored and shared efficiently.
With just a few taps and swipes, you can convert any email into a PDF that can be preserved, shared, or printed as needed. So the next time you find yourself needing to save an important email, remember these steps and convert it into a PDF with ease.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.