PDF files have become a standard for sending virtually any type of text or image file. And, although whenever we can send larger files in a very simple way, for example using AirDrop or Mail Drop, sometimes it will be convenient for us to reduce the size of said PDF.
Fortunately, our iPhones and iPads, as well as our Macs, give us tools to do this directly, which guarantees the confidentiality of our documents as well as the speed of the process. Tools that are complemented by interesting online services to have even more options. So let’s see how to compress a PDF document on our iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Preview, Files and also Web as options
On Macs, the application we are going to use to reduce the size of a PDF document is Preview. An application that is installed on all Macs and is really versatile for working with this type of document. The steps to compress a PDF document using the preview are as follows:
- We open the document we want to compress in the application Insight. If necessary, secondarily click on it, hover the mouse over it Open with and we choose Insight.
- On the menu File, archive we choose Export.
- In Format we choose PDF.
- In Quartz filter we choose reduce file size.
- After choosing the name and location, we touch to safeguard.
If we want to compress a PDF document using our iPhone or iPad, the application that we should use is Files. The process, as before on the Mac, takes place entirely locally. The steps to follow are:
- We open the application Folders on our iPhone or iPad.
- We locate the document in question and hold it down*.
- At the bottom of the menu we touch on quick actions.
- we choose Optimize file size.
Our iPhone or iPad creates a copy of the document indicating that it is a compressed format. We will find the copy in the same folder as the original document.
Considering the two tools that Apple puts at our disposal to compress PDF documents, let’s move on to the Internet. There are tons of options here, but the one that stands out the most is SmallPDF. A free service allows us to compress PDF documents
All we have to do is find the “Compress PDF” tool, upload our files and download the compressed versions. It should be remembered that, although this method may raise more doubts about the confidentiality of sensitive documents, it works the same on all our devices and delivers truly remarkable results.
Whether locally on our iPhone, iPad or Mac or via web tools, compressing the size of a PDF document is very simple. A process by which we will facilitate subsequent sending, without compromising the quality of the document.
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