Converting an email to PDF format can help in several ways. Say you want to save an important email permanently. Or you may want to make a few clarifications before sharing it with others.
Regardless, it’s pretty easy to convert emails to PDF format on your iPhone and iPad. And the ability to do so isn’t limited to the native Mail app, either.
If you’re using Outlook or Gmail as your default email client on iPhone or iPad, here’s how to save or print any email in PDF format.
Outlook for iOS
Outlook for iOS is one of the best third-party email clients for iPhone and iPad. It packs loads of features, has built-in calendar integration, and even provides a custom dark mode. It also allows you to ‘print’ your emails in PDF format.
However, you won’t find the Save as PDF or Print to PDF option listed anywhere in the app. However, this does not mean that iOS does not support printing to PDF. It requires the use of a certain movement, as you will see below.
Stage 1: Open the email message you want to convert. When the installation is finished, tap on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Follow up by tapping Print Conversation.
Step 2: Perform a Zoom Out gesture on any of the thumbnails created on the Printer Options screen. This will immediately convert the email to PDF format.
Fly:
Tap the Share icon in the upper right corner of the PDF preview screen to continue.
Stage 3: Share the PDF with a third-party application or save locally using the Save to Files option.
It is recommended to save locally in the Files app because this way you always have a local copy of the PDF file and you can easily share, annotate, rename, etc. later on. Check out our Files app guide for tips and tricks on how to effectively manage local files.
Gmail for iOS
Gmail for iOS is another excellent third-party email client for iPhone and iPad. Although it is not as versatile as its Android counterpart, you can have a productive time, especially on the iPad, with its support for multiple keyboard shortcuts. And just like with Outlook for iOS, you can easily save or print any email in PDF format.
Stage 1: Open the email you want to save as a PDF file. Then tap the three-dot icon next to the Reply icon. Tap Print in the menu that opens.
Step 2: Tap AirPrint to continue. On the Printer Options screen, zoom out on any of the listed thumbnails to convert the email to PDF format.
Stage 3: Tap Share on the PDF preview screen and share the converted email with a third-party app or save it in the Files app.
Once again, using the Save to Files option to save the PDF locally will give you access to a permanent copy of the file.
Mail Application
The built-in Mail app on your iPhone and iPad is a good email client if you’re fussy about native apps. It is well optimized to run on your iOS device and has full integration with system-wide dark mode functionality. Converting any email you receive in the Mail app to PDF format is super easy and similar to what you did above with Outlook and Gmail.
Stage 1: Open an email and then tap the Reply icon in the lower right corner of the screen. Tap Print in the menu that opens.
Step 2: On any thumbnail in the Print Options screen, zoom out. This should automatically convert the email to PDF format.
Tap the Share icon with the PDF preview window to share the PDF directly or save it locally. Repeat the procedure for any other emails you want to convert.
Email in PDF Can Be Helpful
Converting emails to PDF format is incredibly easy when using Outlook for iOS, Gmail for iOS, or the native Mail app. You can do the same using the same ‘Print’ gesture on the Printer Options screen as long as you can find the Print option in any other email client you use such as Spark, Airmail or Edison Mail.
So what’s wrong with Apple hiding such a valuable option as a gesture? I guess nobody knows. Hopefully Apple makes the functionality less obscure in future iOS updates.
Next: Do you want to convert all the web pages you come across into PDF files on your iPhone or iPad? Here’s how to do this when using Chrome for iOS.
