How to Convert Google Docs File to PDF on Desktop and Phone

Google Docs is capable enough to let you create files as well as a simple word document. You can create resumes, invoices, flyers, brochures and more with the help of Google Docs templates. You will not want to share such files in the default Google Docs file format when sharing.

You can easily share such Google Docs files in read-only PDF format. Here is how you can convert Google Docs files to PDF on desktop and phone.

It doesn’t look professional when posting a resume or flyer from Google Docs as the default file format. Instead, you should send it as a PDF file for a better impression. Google Docs offers a default tool to convert an existing file to PDF on desktop and mobile devices. Let’s check it out in action.

Convert Google Docs File to PDF on Desktop

In the example below, we created a Sale proposal using a third-party Google Docs template. We will convert it to PDF before sending it to one of the customers. Here’s how.

Stage 1: Visit Google Docs on the web.

Step 2: Open an existing Google Doc or create one from scratch.

Stage 3: We opened an existing Sales proposal template. Organize with details on item names, business names, dates, and more.

Step 4: After making all the changes, click File on the menu bar.

Step 5: Select Download from the File menu.

Step 6: Download the Google Docs file as a PDF document and it will be saved in the Downloads folder.

You can now easily share PDF files via email, Slack, or Teams – whatever platform you prefer.

The ability to convert Google Docs files is not limited to the web version only. You can easily do this from the Google Docs mobile apps. Let’s start with the Google Docs Android app.

Google Docs App for Android

Google Docs comes by default on all Android phones. Unlike other apps, Google Docs uses different user interface on both Android and iPhone. Follow the steps below to convert to PDF in Google Docs.

Stage 1: Open the Google Docs app on Android and select a file.

In the example below, we created a software developer proposal in Google Docs on Android. Now let’s convert it to a PDF file.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.

Stage 3: Select Share & export and tap Save As.

Step 4: Select the PDF format from the menu below and press the arrow at the bottom.

Google Docs will convert the file to PDF format and save it to an Android phone. The PDF file is now ready to share with others.

Google Docs App on iPhone

If you’re iPhone, the steps are slightly different than the Android counterpart. Here is how you can create a PDF file from a Google Docs file on iPhone.

Stage 1: Launch the Google Docs app on iPhone.

Step 2: Select the file you want to convert to PDF on iPhone.

Stage 3: Make the changes and tap the More menu at the top.

Step 4: Select Share and export.

Step 5: Tap on Send a copy from the menu below.

Step 6: Select the PDF format and hit ok at the bottom.

Google Docs converts the document to PDF and opens the share menu. You can directly share the file with others or save it to the Files app on your iPhone.

Edit PDFs Before Sharing

Made a typo or want to make last-minute changes to the PDF file? You cannot edit PDF files in Google Docs. You can convert a PDF file to a Word file at any time and open the file in Google Docs for editing. However, it is time consuming and not a viable solution.

You can choose a PDF editor on Mac or Windows to make the necessary changes. We recommend PDFexpert for the Mac platform. It’s natively built for the Mac platform, has tons of editing features, and lets you sign a PDF file as well.

Download PDFexpert for Mac

If you’re using Windows, we’ve created a separate post about the best PDF editors for Windows. You can select any software from the list and start editing PDF files before sending them.

Send Google Docs File as PDF

Google Docs has a built-in PDF conversion tool on desktop and mobile. Useful for certain types of documents. Go ahead, convert the Google Docs file to PDF and start sharing it with others.