Here’s How To Merge PDFs on iOS Using Files | Quick & Easy Guide

The era of digital paperwork has seen an increase in the use of PDFs, given their convenient, standardized format. You might often find yourself needing to combine various PDF files on your iPhone or iPad for reasons such as organization, convenience, or creating comprehensive documents. Contrary to what you might believe, merging PDFs on iOS is a simple task. You can accomplish it easily using two built-in apps on your iOS device, namely the Files app and the Shortcuts app. Follow along to find out how to merge PDFs on iOS using those built-in apps.

Can You Merge Documents in Files on iPhone?

Yes, you can certainly merge PDF documents on your iPhone, specifically PDF files, using the File Manager app named Files or the Shortcuts app. The Files app is an intuitive file management application that comes pre-installed on all iOS devices. It can also help you merge PDFs on iOS in a straightforward manner.

The Shortcuts app is another built-in application in iOS devices that allows you to automate a vast array of tasks, including merging Google Drive PDFs and more.

How Do I Combine Files in the Files App?

To control the order in which the PDFs are merged, simply rename the files in the order you want them combined. The Files app merges them in alphabetical order.

Note that your original files will remain intact after merging. If you no longer need them, you can manually delete the individual PDF files so that you will only have the merged PDF file left.

How Do I Combine PDF Files Into One With the Shortcuts App

The Shortcuts app is another built-in application in iOS devices that allows you to automate a vast array of tasks, including merging PDFs. For this, you would need to download and use a pre-made shortcut.

Here’s how to combine files into a single file:

1. Download a pre-made shortcut for merging PDFs by accessing the link and tapping Add shortcut.
2. After downloading, go to the Shortcuts app. You will see the shortcut you downloaded under My Shortcuts.
3. Now open the Files app and navigate to the location of the PDF files you wish to merge.
4. Tap on the More icon then tap Select to choose the PDF files. Tap on the files to select them.
5. Now tap on the Share icon and select Combine PDFs or Merge PDFs.
6. You will be prompted to choose a destination for your merged file. Select as per your convenience.

You might need to grant necessary permissions to the Shortcuts app to access your files. This process is secure and only used to facilitate the action you requested.

Alternatives To Merging PDFs on iOS: PDF Expert and Smallpdf

While the Files app and the Shortcuts app offer a simple way to merge PDFs on iOS, you can also explore paid third-party apps like PDF Expert and Smallpdf or other online services. PDF Expert, Smallpdf, as well as similar apps, offer more features such as editing PDFs, adding signatures, and password protection. However, unless you require these extra capabilities, the built-in apps should suffice.

Conclusion

In the modern digital age, merging PDFs on iOS using the Files app or Shortcuts app is a breeze. These in-built applications provide simple yet effective ways to combine your PDF files, catering to your professional and personal needs. Don’t hesitate to experiment and find the approach that works best for you. And if you find that you need other features such as editing the PDFs, you can try third-party apps like PDF Expert and Smallpdf.

Get started now with our easy guide and share your experience or ask questions in the comments section! For further reading, check out how to edit PDFs on iPad.