How to merge PDF files on iPhone without an app

An iPhone can join PDFs without installing anything. Safari opens the same Merge PDF tool as a computer, and the finished file goes into the Files app, Mail, or whatever you pick from the share sheet.

Merge PDFs in Safari

1. Open Merge PDF in Safari. If a link opened inside Mail or another app, tap the compass icon or choose Open in Safari so the download works normally.
2. Tap Select PDF files and pick two or more PDFs. They can come from Files, iCloud Drive, or the Downloads folder.
3. Drag the files into the order you want. The top file becomes the first pages.
4. Tap Merge PDF, then tap the download and choose Save to Files, or share it straight to Mail or Messages.

Photos and scans

Pictures aren’t PDFs until you make them one. Add the photos to Images to PDF — including HEIC shots from the camera — drag them into order, and download. To mix those pages with an existing PDF, merge the new file with the old one.

The Files app, when order doesn’t matter

If every file should simply follow the last and you don’t need to rearrange pages, the Files app can do it: tap Select, pick the PDFs, tap the ••• button and choose Create PDF. You don’t control the page order as precisely, and images mixed in are appended as the Files app decides. For a contract, an application, or anything with a cover page, use Merge PDF in Safari.

iMessage and Mail both cap attachments. If the combined PDF won’t send, open Compress PDF from the result screen before you download it.