How to copy text from PDF in smartphone

On the Web it happens very often to find PDF files that contain information that can be used or that we would like to insert in some texts we are creating, but what happens when the PDFs that interest us we find browsing with our smartphone or tablet?

For this reason we have decided to recommend some apps to copy text from PDF to smartphone whether it has Android or iOS.

The app to copy text from PDF to smartphone for free

Google PDF Viewer or Google Drive (Android)

Both apps are usually installed by default on your Android device, so just click on the PDF file and choose one of the two to inspect the content, while to copy the text, follow the steps below:

  • Press and hold on a word in the PDF file;
  • Through the two cursors (blue pointers) select the text you are interested in copying;
  • Tap the selected text;
  • Select the “Copy” item;

If you have not yet installed anything on your Android smartphone or tablet, download the free Google PDF Viewer or Google Drive from the Play Store.

Safari (iOS)

The default iOS browser will automatically open your PDF files if you are browsing the Web and you can copy the text by following the steps below.

File (iOS)

To open a PDF file from Safari with the “File” app follow the steps below:

  • Click on the middle icon of the lower Safari bar (square with the arrow facing upwards);
  • Select “Create PDF“;
  • Press “End” in the upper left corner;
  • In the new menu that opens, click on “Save file on …“;
  • Choose the location to save the file and finally click on “Add” on the top right;

Now you just have to go back to the home of your iPhone or iPad, open the File app, go to the folder where you saved the file and open it, while copying the text:

  • Press and hold on a word in the PDF file;
  • Through the two cursors (blue dots) select the text you are interested in copying;
  • Tap the selected text;
  • Select the “Copy” item;

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