In most cases, a PDF file will go to the Files app on your iPhone when you download them. However, they can also be found in Safari itself as well as in another PDF reader app you use.
PDF files are great to use for everything from work projects to schoolwork. They are compatible with many devices, secure, and wonderful for both sharing and collaborating. But when you download a PDF file on your iPhone, where does it go and how can you find it?
Keep reading to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- In many cases, when you download a PDF on your iPhone it can be found somewhere in the Files App. If you can’t find it in your Recents tab, consider browsing other locations like iCloud Drive.
- If you downloaded the PDF from Safari, you can return to Safari to view it and save it to another destination if you see fit.
- If you have a PDF reader app downloaded onto your iPhone, there is a chance that the PDF could have been downloaded here.
Method 1: Files App
The most common place for people to download PDFs is the Files app. In many cases, the Files app is easy to find as it could reside on your home page or in one of your folders just like any other app.
If you cannot find it on the home page, you can search for it in the App Library. You can get here by swiping left until you get to your last home page and then swiping left one more time. After that, simply search for Files and click the app to open it.
Once inside the Files app, simply search through your Recents tab until you find the PDF you are looking for. You can visually search through them, or even search for a term if you know what the PDF is titled as.
If it isn’t in your Recents tab, you can change to the Browse tab to search through iCloud Drive or other options to see if you can find it. Looking in the Recently Deleted location is also a good idea in case it was accidentally deleted at some point.
Method 2: Via Safari
Another great way to find recent PDF downloads is to check in Safari. All you need to do is open Safari to a webpage, and click the small icon with two letters A’s next to the search bar.
From the menu that appears, click Downloads and it will take you to a page full of your recent downloads. Simply search through the list until you find the one you are looking for.
You can view the PDF here, but are also able to download/save it to another app of your choice if you don’t want to have to open Safari every time you want to view it.
Of course, only PDF files that you download from Safari will be found using this method. If you downloaded it from another place, such as from an email, it likely won’t appear here.
Method 3: PDF Reader App
While many people will default to downloading PDFs and other files to the dedicated Files app, some may have specific PDF reader apps they use. If this is the case for you, the PDF could have been downloaded to this app instead.
Simply open the PDF reader app you use and search through its contents until you find what you are looking for.
Final Thoughts
Whether submitting school projects or collaborating with coworkers, using PDFs is a popular choice. I hope this guide has been able to help you learn where PDFs go and how you can easily find them after downloading them to your iPhone.
What sorts of things do you generally like to use PDFs for? Let me know in a comment below.
