How to save google doc as pdf on ipad

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Google Docs is one of Google's most well-liked and valuable offerings for both regular and professional use. Yet, many users want to convert Google Docs to PDF on iPad or iPhones, and there are valid reasons for that.

Let's note the positives first.

Google Docs includes rich formatting functions, cloud accessibility, and collaborative capability. Teams in professional settings can use this to easily add their edits to files, ensuring full-scale digital collaboration and direct document-centric communication.

However, this has drawbacks too, as it is hard to share files without any formatting loss, low storage, and limited conversion options. Moreover, iPhones/iPads do not support DOC-to-PDF direct saving. However, not all is lost. You can still convert Google Docs to PDF on iPhone/iPad devices and save/share them securely with specific processes.

Read through this detailed guide to learn how.

In this article

Part 1. How to convert Google Docs to PDF on iPad/iPhone

While using iPhones or iPads, users can easily access Google Docs and download their files in DOCX or DOC formats. Besides, one can convert Google Docs to PDF on iPhone or iPad through two different methods.

Phase 1: Access Google Docs via iPhone/iPad

You can use your preferred web browser to open a Google account. The process of this involves the following steps.

Step 1 Go to the web browser you use on your iPhone or iPad device, e.g., Safari.

Step 2 Visit Google and log in to your account with the correct credentials if you are not already.

Step 3 Go to Google Accounts >Google Docs. Open a new file and begin typing.

There is an app version available through Apple App Store for free. You can download and use that as well.

Phase 2: Save a Google Doc as a PDF on an iPhone

The steps on how to convert Google Doc to PDF on iPhoneis not similar to the direct one in Android phones, but it is possible. You should log in to your Google Docs app via iPhone first.

Step 1 Launch the app on your iPhone device.

Step 2 Choose the Doc file for converting into PDF> Open.

Step 3 Make edits as necessary and then press the "More" icon on the upper side of the screen. It looks like three horizontal dots.

Step 4 Click on the "Share and Export" option from the drop-down list.

Step 5 Click on the "Send a copy" action.

Step 6 Select the file format as PDF and press OK.

Step 7: The conversion will take a few seconds. Then, you can save or share the DOC file into the device's internal memory or other contacts, respectively.

Alternative Method: Use the print function to convert a Google Doc to a PDF

Users of iOS devices can also opt for the print function to convert Google Docs to PDF on iPad or iPhone.

Step 1 Launch your Google Docs app.

Step 2 Click on the Plus (+) button to open a new document to start writing. Or, click on Open and access an existing Doc file.

Step 3 After editing the document as needed, you can press the three-dot icon on the top-right side.

Step 4 Press on the "Share & Export" option.

Step 5 From the following menu, click on Print.

Step 6 Use the mouse wheel to zoom on the DOC file's print preview in the Print Options window. The conversion process will start for the PDF file.

Step 7 From the bottom-left side, click on "Store to files" for file storing or "Share" to transfer across other apps.

Part 2. How to convert Google Docs to PDF on Android [Optional]

Google Docs is available in the app version for Android users as well. Not to mention, it includes a straightforward process of saving DOC files into PDF format. The sequence here is different from that of the iPhone/iPad version.

Wondering how?

These are the steps for that- go through them once to better understand the difference.

Step 1 Launch the Google Docs app via Android phone.

Step 2 Choose the file you will save in PDF format. Make edits through the Pen icon, if necessary.

Step 3 At the top-right side of the screen, you will see the three-dot icon. Click on it to open the menu.

Step 4 Then, choose Share & Export.

Step 5 Next, click on the "Save As" option.

Step 6 A list of formats will appear in the next window. Click on PDF Document > OK.

Step 7 The app will show a preview of the PDF file. Click on the downward-pointing arrow icon to download or save the file. It will store in the device library under the Downloads folder or any other custom saving location you select.

Part 3. Save or Share PDF on iPad/iPhone after Converting from Google Doc

Google Docs is helpful for documentation as users can add content, edit, and format them. Plus, it is simple for other users to access the Doc file if the original creator gives appropriate permission. But for official sharing, hard copy submission, or offline reading, users have to save or share the file after conversion.

After converting a Google Doc to PDF, iPhoneand iPad users can save or share the file through different methods. Options include direct download into the device, email-based sharing, Airdrop, or cloud-based file sharing.

1. Save PDF on iPhone

After you handle how to convert Google Docs to PDF on iPad, the next phase is saving the file. You can save the converted DOC file to PDF on your iPhone with the following steps.

Step 1 Access Google Docs > the DOC file.

Step 2 Convert Google Doc to PDF via More icon > Share & Export >PDF. Then, press OK.

Step 3 Next, click on "Save to Files" for direct downloading into your iPhone.

Alternatively, you can select another contact and share the file with them.

2. Save PDF to iCloud

If you have an iCloud account, you can save the PDF file into that account as well. Follow the proper steps to convert Google Docs to PDF on iPhone and keep your iCloud account active.

Step 1 Go to Settings > iCloud. Then, turn the toggle for iCloud Drive to ON. This will give the app permission to keep iCloud Drive as one of the device storage options.

Step 2 Go to Google Docs and do the edits as necessary. Follow the steps on your iPhone from clicking on the three-dot icon to Save to Files.

Step 3 Then, choose iCloud Drive from the storage location choices.

Step 4 Choose a file-saving folder, if needed. Click on the "Add" button.

3. Share PDF with AirDrop

After you convert Google Docs to PDF on iPador iPhone, you can share the file with other contacts or your account. The Airdrop feature is handy for quick and direct file dragging and sharing functionality for iPhone and iPad users.

Others with Apple devices can get the files you share for free. This route is available for sharing PDF files as well. To note, you cannot directly share via Google Docs here- download the file on iPhone and then use this feature.

Step 1 On your iPhone or iPad device, slide the taskbar down and click on the Airdrop icon. Please enable it and choose who to share files with.

Step 2 Choose the file > Click on Share.

Step 3 Choose the Airdrop name of the Mac, iPad, or iPhone user you will share it with and proceed.

4. Send PDF by Email

Another simple way to share the saved PDF file with other users is through email. The procedure explained here is if you open the Google Doc through the browser, e.g., Safari.

Step 1 On Google Docs, click on the File tab from the top toolbar when your file is open.

Step 2 Hover your mouse pointer over the Email option. From the drop-down menu, click on Email this File.

Step 3 Tap on the "To" section and insert the email address of the person you will send the file. Here, you can also add your alternative email address if you are saving the file on another device via Email. Add the body and subject line.

Step 4 In the following pop-up menu, PDF should appear on the bottom-left side. Choose it and press the Send button.

5. Send PDF to Google Drive

Users can save the PDF file after they convert Google Docs to PDF on iPad or iPhone via Google Drive. This is a cloud-based storage utility that users can try to share and save files securely. Remember that you can use this route for sending the PDF file after conversion if you are only doing the process on Google Chrome.

Step 1 Open the Google Docs section in the Google Chrome browser.

Step 2 Click on File > New to start a new document or File > Open to access another pre-saved PDF file.

Step 3 After completing the editing work on your file, click on File> Print.

Step 4 Find the Destination option and tap the drop-down menu beside it. Click on the "Save to Google Drive" option.

Step 5 Finally, press the Save button.

Final Words

Overall, there are ways you can change the Google Doc file on iPhone or iPad device into a PDF file. For the best experience, you should try both the processes for conversion on your device, including the print method. Other than that, try out the various saving/sharing processes to get your file for offline use.

Afterward, if you still need to make some edits to your PDF file directly, other robust software types like PDFelement are reliable. This one, in particular, supports cloud platform syncing, PDF editing, and organization methods, so check it out.

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