Normally you can open a PDF file on iPad by simply tapping the corresponding icon in an email or web page. If you are working with a large PDF or if you need to highlight text passages or add bookmarks, it might be useful to use the Apple Books app. This wikiHow teaches you how to open a PDF file using the Apple Books app on iPad.
Steps
Step 1. Install the Apple Books app if you haven't already
You can check if it is already installed on the iPad using the Spotlight search function. Swipe the screen to the right from the Home screen until the search bar appears at the top of the page. Tap the latter and type in the keyword books. If an orange icon with an open stylized book appears in the search results list, you can skip to the next step. If not, follow these instructions:
- Login to App Store (it is characterized by a blue icon representing a stylized white "A");
- Select the tab Search for (characterized by an icon depicting a magnifying glass) located at the bottom of the screen;
- Type the keywords apple books into the search bar, then press the button Search for;
- Push the button Get or the icon depicting a stylized cloud that you will find next to the "Apple Books" app (characterized by an orange icon with a white book inside).
Step 2. Navigate to the folder where the PDF to open is located
If you received it via e-mail as an attachment, open the relevant message. If it is published on a web page, visit it using an internet browser.
Step 3. Tap the PDF icon
If you received it as an attachment to an email, you will most likely find it at the bottom of the message. The file will be opened and displayed on the screen.
If you are using Safari, the Mail app or Gmail, the PDF will be displayed in a very simple basic format. To flip through the pages of the document, simply slide your finger across the screen to the right or left. The program that is used by default is more than enough if you only need to read the content of the PDF. However, if you also need to make changes to the file, continue reading
Step 4. Tap the "Share" icon
It is characterized by a square with an arrow pointing upwards. It is located at the bottom of the screen when using the Safari or Mail app. However, it could be placed somewhere else using another browser or email app.
Step 5. Scroll right through the list of options that appeared to be able to select Copy to Books
It has an orange icon and is listed at the bottom of the screen. The PDF will be saved in the program library and the Apple Books app will automatically open.
Step 6. Select the PDF in question to open it in Apple Books
The content of the PDF will be displayed in full screen.
The PDF is now stored in the application library. You can consult it at any time by starting the app Books from the iPad Home and selecting the file to open.
Step 7. Browse pages by swiping your finger across the screen to the right or left
With each gesture you will advance or go back a page.
- To view the content in tabular form, so you can quickly jump to the page you need, tap the PDF once to bring up the program toolbar, then tap the icon with a stylized bulleted list located in the upper left of the screen.
- To bookmark a specific page, tap the screen once, then select the "Bookmark" icon displayed in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 8. Highlight passages in the PDF
To highlight some elements of the text or to draw inside the PDF, touch the screen once to bring up the toolbar, then select the "Edit" icon characterized by a stylized marker to activate the content editing mode. At this point you can choose the stroke style and other tools to make any changes you want to the file.
- Use the "Undo" icon (characterized by a circular icon depicting a curved arrow pointing to the left) located at the top of the screen to undo unwanted changes.
- Press the "Back" button (characterized by the symbol < and located in the upper left corner of the screen) to return to the Books library. This way any changes you made to the file will be saved. You can reactivate the "Edit" mode at any time to make other changes or delete existing ones.
Step 9. Press the "Share" icon to share the file with other users
If you need to send the PDF to other people, you can do it directly from the Apple Books app. Open the PDF within the Apple Books program, touch the screen once to bring up the toolbar, then select the "Share" icon (characterized by a square and an arrow pointing upwards) to do the list of sharing options appears. You can now choose to share the file via email, message or cloud.
