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Guide · PDF

How to merge PDF files on iPhone and iPad

By Mergevanta · Updated · 3 min read

Quick answer

How do I merge PDF files on my iPhone?

Open Mergevanta's Merge PDF tool in Safari, tap the drop zone, pick your PDFs from Files, drag them into order and tap Merge — the combined PDF downloads with no watermark. You can also use the built-in Files app: select the PDFs, tap the More (•••) button and choose Create PDF.

Method 1: Merge PDFs in Safari with Mergevanta

This method lets you set the page order before merging, and it works the same way on iPhone and iPad.

  1. 1Open Safari and go to Mergevanta's Merge PDF page.
  2. 2Tap the drop zone and choose your PDFs in the Files picker — tap Select to pick several at once — then tap Open.
  3. 3Drag the file cards into the order you want.
  4. 4Tap Merge, then tap Download.
  5. 5Confirm the download. Safari saves the PDF to the Downloads folder in the Files app, usually in iCloud Drive.

Method 2: Use the Files app's Create PDF action

Recent versions of iOS and iPadOS can combine files without any website or app:

  1. 1Open the Files app and go to the folder that holds your PDFs. Move them into one folder first if they are spread out.
  2. 2Tap the More button (•••) at the top right, then tap Select.
  3. 3Tap each PDF you want to combine.
  4. 4Tap the More button (•••) at the bottom right and choose Create PDF.
  5. 5A new combined PDF appears in the same folder. Open it and check the page order.

The Files app has no way to rearrange files before combining them, so if the order comes out wrong, Method 1 is the quicker fix.

Which method should you use?

Which method should you use?
Mergevanta in SafariFiles app
Choose the order before mergingYes — drag to reorderNo
WatermarkNoneNone
Also merges Word, PowerPoint and ExcelYes, with separate toolsNo
Turns photos into a PDFYes, with JPG to PDFYes
Install neededNoNo — built in

If something goes wrong

  • A file won't merge: it may be password-protected. Remove the password, then try again.
  • You can't find the merged file: open the Files app and look in Downloads, or check Recents.
  • A large merge seems slow: keep Safari open in the foreground until the download finishes.
  • Photos instead of PDFs: use JPG to PDF to turn pictures from your library into one PDF.

In short

  • No app is needed: use Mergevanta in Safari or the built-in Files app.
  • Mergevanta lets you set the page order first; the Files app's Create PDF doesn't.
  • Files downloaded in Safari land in Files › Downloads, usually in iCloud Drive.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Both Mergevanta in Safari and the built-in Files app can combine PDFs without installing anything from the App Store.

Yes. Mergevanta is free with no watermark or sign-up, and the Files app's Create PDF action is built into iOS.

Files downloaded in Safari go to the Downloads folder in the Files app — on most iPhones that's iCloud Drive › Downloads. The Files app's Create PDF saves the new file next to the originals.

Yes. Both methods work the same way on iPad.

Yes. Use Mergevanta's JPG to PDF tool to pick photos from your library and save them as one PDF, or select images in the Files app and choose Create PDF.

More guides

How to merge PDF files without a watermarkMerge PDFs free with no watermark, sign-up or page limit: step-by-step instructions, why some tools add watermarks and how to check your PDF is clean.How to merge PDF files on a MacCombine PDFs on a Mac for free with Preview, a Finder Quick Action or Mergevanta in your browser. Step-by-step instructions and which method to pick.How to merge PDF files on Windows 10 and 11Windows has no built-in PDF merger. Here's how to combine PDFs for free in Edge or Chrome with no install or watermark — plus a built-in trick for images.
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