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How to Convert Apple Notes to PDF on iPhone

ByJim Miller

Apple Notes is a powerful note-taking app that comes preinstalled on all iPhones. While it has improved over the years, it still lacks the ability to export notes as PDF files. Unlike its competitors like Google Keep and OneNote, Apple Notes only allows you to export notes as .txt (text) files. However, there is a workaround that allows you to easily convert Apple Notes into PDF files on your iPhone.

Creating a PDF on iPhone from Apple Notes

Converting a note into a PDF file can be useful when you want to share it over WhatsApp or email. However, there is no direct way to create a PDF file from a note in Apple Notes. In this article, we will show you how to convert Apple Notes into PDF files using the markup tool and a third-party app.

1. Using the Markup Tool in Apple Notes

Apple has a built-in markup tool in the Photos, Files, and Notes apps. This tool allows you to doodle, add signatures, and write text over files or images. Here's how you can use the markup tool in Apple Notes to convert a note into a PDF:

  1. Open the Apple Notes app on your iPhone.
  2. Create a new note or open an existing note that you want to convert into a PDF.
  3. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select “Send a Copy” from the bottom menu.
  4. Instead of saving it directly to the Files app, tap on “Markup” instead.
  5. Make any necessary changes using the pencil, highlighter, signature, or text tool. In most cases, you won't need to make any changes. Tap on “Done” at the upper left corner.
  6. Tap on “Save File To” and select a location in the Apple Files app.
  7. When you use the “Save File To” option, Markup will automatically convert the file to PDF. Select a relevant place to save the file in the Files app and tap on “Save.”

Now you can open the Files app, locate the file you recently saved using the Markup tool, and share it over social networks or email.

2. Exporting Apple Notes as PDF on Mac

While the Apple Notes app on the iPhone lacks export options, the Mac version offers a simple way to export notes as PDF files. Here's how:

  1. Open the Apple Notes app on your Mac.
  2. Create a new note or open an existing note.
  3. Click on the File menu at the top.
  4. Select “Export as PDF.”

Save the PDF file in your desired location and share it with others.

3. Using a Third-Party App

If you don't have access to a Mac or if you want to edit the PDF with more features, you can rely on a third-party PDF editor app on your iPhone. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open a note in Apple Notes.
  2. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select “Send a Copy.”
  3. Tap on “Save to Files” and save it in the Files app.
  4. Go to the App Store and download a PDF editor app like PDF Expert.
  5. Open PDF Expert and tap on the “+” icon.
  6. Import the text file from the Files app.
  7. Tap on the three-dot menu beside the file and select “Convert to PDF.”

PDF Expert will convert the Apple Notes text file into a PDF, and it will be ready to share in just a minute.

Conclusion

While Apple Notes is a great note-taking app, it lacks the ability to directly export notes as PDF files on the iPhone. However, by using the markup tool or a third-party PDF editor app, you can easily convert Apple Notes into PDF files. We hope that future updates to the Apple Notes app will provide more export options for iPhone users. In the meantime, the markup tool or a third-party app is your best bet for creating PDFs from Apple Notes.