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Home / Blog / How to Transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with/without iTunes

How to Transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with/without iTunes

By Lena | Follow twitter | Updated on December 26, 2023
Introduction:
For users who own both a Windows PC and an iPhone, transferring data between the two devices is quite a hassle. When you want to transfer data, you can't do it by "copy and paste" but need to use a transfer tool. Here in this guide, I’ll focus on how to transfer PDF from PC to iPhone. You can transfer eBooks in PDF format, work documents, pictures in PDF format and so on by these methods.
summary

What’s the Best Way to Transfer PDF from PC to iPhone?

In this article, I will introduce 4 methods that can help you get PDF from PC to iPhone. To save time, let’s first see which method is best for you.

  • If you have a USB cable at hand, then you may consider using iTunes to transfer PDFs to specific apps, such as Apple Book.
  • If not, then can take advantage of email, a transfer tool, or cloud storage services to complete the transfer wirelessly.

You can choose according to the actual situation. Next, let’s look at the specific steps.

How to Transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with iTunes

As an iPhone user, you surely know about iTunes, a multimedia manager that helps users organize and play videos and music, as well as sync files to their iPhone. When you want to import a PDF file to your iPhone using iTunes, there are two options for you to choose from.

Note: If you haven't installed iTunes yet, you can download iTunes from the Microsoft Store or Apple website.

Option 1. Sync PDF to Books App

Apple Books is one e-book reading app. You can first add your PDF files to iTunes library and then sync them to the app. However, please note that the existing books on the device will be erased.

1. Launch iTunes and connect your iPhone to computer via the USB cable.

2. Click File from the menu bar > Choose Add File to Library... to add the PDF files you want to transfer to iPhone.

Add File to Library

3. Then click the Device icon > Choose Books from the sidebar > Check Sync Books > Select the files you want to sync > Finally, click the Apply button.

Apply

Option 2. Sync PDF via File Sharing

Next, let’s see how to transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with iTunes File Sharing feature. The File Sharing feature can help users transfer some app data between PC and iPhone. If you have an app installed on your iPhone and File Sharing supports that app, then you can follow the steps below to import PDF to iPhone.

1. Open iTunes and plug in your iPhone.

2. Click the Device tab.

3. In the left sidebar, choose File Sharing > Click the app.

File Sharing

4. Choose Add File and add your PDF files to your iPhone.

How to Transfer PDF from PC to iPhone without iTunes

When you want to transfer PDF from PC to iPhone without iTunes, then the following 3 methods can help you. However, not all methods support transferring large files.

Transfer PDF from iPhone to PC via Email

Sending PDFs to your iPhone via email is a quick solution. However, most email services have file size limitations. As for Gmail, you can only send an attachment up to 25 MB. If you want to send a small PDF file, then follow these steps.

1. On your computer, sign in to your email account via client or web.

2. Create a new email and add the PDF file as an attachment > Send the email to yourself.

3. On your iPhone, go to Mail app to check the email.

4. Tap the PDF file to open it > Tap the Share button > Move the PDF file to Books app or any other app according to your needs.

Copy PDF to Books

Transfer PDF from iPhone to PC via Snapdrop

As we all know, Windows computers do not support AirDrop. But in fact, you can use other tools like Snapdop to transfer files between PC and iPhone wirelessly. There is no need to download any application, just open a web page and transfer, of course, a WiFi network is required.

Read on to see how to transfer PDF from iPhone to PC without iTunes but via Snapdrop.

1. Connect your PC and iPhone to the same WiFi network.

2. Open the browser on both devices and go to https://snapdrop.net/.

Snapdrop

3. On your computer, click the phone icon and select the PDF file.

4. On your iPhone, tap Save to accept the transfer.

Transfer PDF from iPhone to PC via iCloud Drive

The last way that can help you transfer PDF from iPhone to PC without iTunes is to use a cloud storage service. You can use iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox as you like. First upload the PDF file to the cloud on computer and then download the PDF from the cloud on iPhone. Below is an example of using iCloud Drive.

1. On your computer, open the browser and go to iCloud.com > Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in to your iCloud account.

2. Choose iCloud Drive > Click the Upload button to upload your PDF files.

iCloud Drive Web

3. On your iPhone, go to Files app > tap iCloud Drive to find the PDF files. You can tap to read the PDF file or tap the Share button to move it to another place.

Files App iCloud Drive

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Final Words

That’s all about how to transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with or without iTunes. Hope you can successfully import PDF to your iPhone. If you only want to transfer a small PDF file, then sending it via e-mail is probably the fastest way. If you want to transfer multiple PDF files at a time, then you can choose to use iTunes or cloud storage services.

FAQs

Q:How do I transfer PDF from PC to iPhone with iTunes?

Three ways to go. Email PDF to yourself; Send PDF via Snapdrop; Transfer PDF via cloud storage service.

Q:How do I transfer PDF from PC to iPhone using USB?

To transfer PDF from PC to iPhone using USB, you can connect your iPhone to iTunes > click Books > select the PDF you want to transfer > finally, click Apply.

Lena has been in the editing industry for 8 years. She is familiar with a variety of products that can make things easier, such as PDF tools, video recording software, iOS location changer, etc. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with users to help them solve problems in their work and life. In her spare time, she likes to play with her cat.

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