Downloading PDF Files to Iphone 13

Question

Downloading PDF Files to Iphone 13

Since I have bought my Iphone 13, every step of the way to setting this up (as I want it) has been very frustrating. One of the many problems for which there is no/incorrect information is the downloading of pdf documents. Using a third party application I have downloaded a number of pdf files to my phone which appear in the downloads file of the third party application. However, when I go to the Iphone to view the documents I can't find them anywhere. Several videos I have watched on the subject are plainly wrong as I have found out many times on other Iphone issues. Could someone tell me how to make these files visible. Is there a better way to do this. For example. I just want to download a railway timetable in pdf form to view it off-line. Super easy to do in Android but frustratingly difficult in Apple.

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 8:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

muguy

Level 10

93,364 points

Dec 22, 2021 9:28 PM in response to Community User

You cannot add pdfs to wallet. But, you can use the Files App and create a directory for all of your PDFs or continue to use Books.

Or, you can create a Shortcut and add it to your home screen to open a file directly:

Open the Shortcuts App

Tap the "+"

Tap "Add Action"

Search for "open file" and then tap OpenFile from the results list

You'll now be presented with two variable "file" and "default app"

Tap "file" and select your pdf schedule from your Files location (you just need to have the PDF saved in the files app)

You can elect to change the default program or leave as is

That creates the shortcut to open the pdf

Next add it to the home screen by tapping the share sheet icon (box with the arrow at the bottom)

Scroll to Add to Home Screen

You've now created a shortcut that opens the pdf and can be accessed from your Home Screen just like an app.

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

93,364 points

Dec 22, 2021 8:46 PM in response to Community User

If you download using Safari, your files will be downloaded to the Files app. For most third-party apps, there is some storage location that is used which should also be accessible in the files app (you my have to navigate "backward" to a higher level.

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Answer 3

Dec 22, 2021 9:01 PM in response to muguy

Thanks for the prompt advice. I am downloading these PDF files from my Windows computer using an application called 3U. Subsequently, after posting my question, I have managed to download my pdf files to Apple Books. At least they are there and I can view them, even if it is a little inconvenient.

What I really wanted to do was to load my PDF files into Apple Wallet as I have done with my vaccination certificate so I could have instant visibility of, say, my local railway timetable. However, according to the Apple manual for the Iphone 13 this is not possible for reasons I can't understand. The vax certificate I downloaded is a PDF file but somehow, when the file is a simple and dumb pdf file, you can't download to the Wallet, making this application for me rather useless. (I don't use Apple pay for any money cards.) Not that I want to make comparisons as I wasn't keen on using Android for many years but with Android, setting up a new phone is so easy rather than the convoluted and hidden system Apple uses.

If you can help with the wallet issues I would be very appreciative.

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Answer 4

Dec 22, 2021 9:50 PM in response to muguy

Thanks again for your prompt reply. I will use the shortcut method as you suggest for the pdf files I regularly use and continue to use the Books app for occasional files. This makes my usage much neater. Many regards.

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