How to Compress PDF Files on Mobile: Android & iOS Guide
• February 7, 2025

You can compress a PDF on your mobile by up to 70-90% using free online tools or apps, making it easier to share and store without losing too much quality. Simply upload your file to a compression tool, choose the desired quality level, and download the optimized version in seconds. Most apps and online tools let you balance file size and clarity, ensuring text remains readable while reducing image resolution. Whether you're on Android or iOS, you can use apps like The PDF Fox, Adobe Acrobat, or Smallpdf, or opt for an online tool directly from your browser—no installation needed. Some apps even let you batch compress multiple PDFs at once, saving you time when dealing with multiple documents. Additionally, cloud integration features allow you to import and export files seamlessly from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Many of these tools also support password-protected PDFs, ensuring your compressed files maintain their security. If you frequently work with PDFs, having a reliable compression tool on your phone can significantly improve workflow efficiency. With advancements in mobile processing, compression speeds have also become much faster, allowing you to process large files in just a few seconds.
How to Compress PDFs on Android
There are multiple ways to reduce PDF size on Android devices. Here are some of the best methods:
Using Online PDF Compressors
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Open your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) and search for a PDF compression website.
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Tap on a trusted site like ThePDFFox, iLovePDF, or Adobe’s online compressor.
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Upload your PDF file by selecting it from your device’s storage.
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Choose the compression level – low, medium, or high. Higher compression reduces file size more but may affect quality.
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Tap ‘Compress’ and wait for the process to finish.
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Download the optimized file to your device.
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Check if the file size meets your requirement. If not, try a different compression level.
Using a Mobile App
Many Android apps can compress PDFs with just a few clicks. Some popular ones include:
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Open the Google Play Store and search for PDF Compressor or PDF Size Reducer.
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Download and install a reliable app like: iLovePDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDF Compressor.
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Open the app and select the PDF you want to compress.
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Choose a compression setting.
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Tap ‘Start’ or ‘Compress’ and wait for the process to complete.
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Save the smaller file to your device.
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Open the compressed file to check if the quality is still good.
How to Compress PDFs on iOS (iPhone & iPad)
Apple users also have several options for shrinking PDFs without needing a computer.
Using Online Tools
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Open Safari or Chrome and search for an online PDF compressor.
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Choose a trusted website like ThePDFFox or iLovePDF.
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Upload the PDF file from your Files or iCloud Drive.
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Select a compression level – choose standard if you want to balance size and quality.
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Tap ‘Compress’ and wait for the process to complete.
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Download the smaller version and save it back to your device.
Using an iOS App
Some great apps for iPhones and iPads include:
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PDF Expert – A feature-rich app with a built-in compressor.
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Smallpdf – A user-friendly option that works seamlessly.
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Compress PDF – A lightweight app dedicated to PDF size reduction.
Tips for Better PDF Compression
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Avoid high-resolution images – Large images increase file size drastically.
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Use text-based PDFs – Scanned documents are larger; if possible, use native PDFs.
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Choose the right compression level – Too much compression can reduce quality, making the text hard to read.
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Check file compatibility – Some compressed PDFs may not open in certain viewers; test before sharing.
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Use a cloud storage option – If file size is still an issue, consider storing your PDFs on Google Drive or iCloud and sharing links instead.
Final Thoughts
Compressing PDFs on your mobile device is a fast and convenient way to manage large files without needing a computer. Whether you choose to use an online tool or a dedicated app, the process is simple and ensures that your documents take up less space while remaining easy to share and access. By following the step-by-step methods outlined above, you can reduce the size of your PDFs without compromising quality. Different compression levels offer flexibility, so you can choose the best balance between file size and clarity. Additionally, using trusted apps or websites helps maintain the integrity of your documents. Next time you need to compress a PDF, you won’t have to worry about slow uploads or storage issues. With just a few taps, you can optimize your files and ensure they’re ready for professional use, emailing, or cloud storage without hassle.