How to Split a PDF on Mobile

🌍 Foreign Residents in Korea Series

Step-by-step guides for foreigners living in Korea — from address registration and visa to banking, taxes, and digital certificates.

You don’t need a computer for this — splitting PDFs on mobile actually works.

In short

You can split PDFs on iOS and Android using built-in print-to-PDF, drive apps, or dedicated PDF tools. Choose page ranges, export as new files, and keep the original intact for reference.

Quick Methods (No New App)

Before installing additional tools, try these built-in approaches to extract pages into a new PDF:

  • Print to PDF (select pages): From your viewer, choose Print → set Pages or Range (e.g., 1–3,5) → Save as PDF. Each print action creates a separate file containing only the chosen pages.
  • Share → Save as PDF: Some viewers allow selecting thumbnails/pages first, then exporting the selection as a new PDF.
  • Cloud drive export: Open the file in a drive app, use Print/Open with → select page ranges → Save as PDF back to the drive or device.
💡 Tip Work in copies. Rename the original with “-master” and create “-part1”, “-part2” outputs to stay organized.

iOS Steps (Files, Books, Shortcuts)

Method A: Files App + Print to PDF

  1. Open Files → locate the PDF → tap the Share icon → choose Print.
  2. Tap Range and specify pages (e.g., 1–3).
  3. On the print preview, pinch-out (zoom) to open as a new PDF view.
  4. Tap ShareSave to Files and name it filename-part1.pdf.
  5. Repeat for the next range (e.g., 4–7) to create additional parts.

Method B: Apple Books (Page Thumbnails)

  1. Open the PDF in Books → show thumbnails.
  2. Tap Select → choose specific pages.
  3. Tap ShareSave to Files or Mail to export the selected pages as a new PDF.

Method C: One-Tap Shortcut (Ranges)

  1. Open ShortcutsNew Shortcut.
  2. Add: Get FileSplit PDF or Make PDF from selected pages (if Split isn’t present, chain Extract via Quick Look + Make PDF per range).
  3. Finish with Save File. Run it from the Share Sheet to automate repeated splits.
⚠️ Note If your PDF contains forms or annotations, verify they appear in the exported part. Some print workflows flatten form fields.

Android Steps (Drive & Viewers)

Method A: Google Drive Viewer + Save as PDF

  1. Open the PDF in Google Drive or a viewer app → tap the three dots → Print.
  2. Set Pages to a range (e.g., 2–5).
  3. Choose Save as PDF as the printer → Save and name the file filename-partA.pdf.
  4. Repeat with other ranges to create multiple splits.

Method B: PDF Viewer Apps (Select Pages)

  1. Open the PDF in a viewer that supports Organize pages or Extract.
  2. Enter Organize mode → select pages by tapping thumbnails.
  3. Choose Extract or Save as → export selection as a new PDF.

Method C: Third-Party Tools (Offline, Batch)

  1. Install a reputable offline PDF tool that offers Split/Extract pages and batch processing.
  2. Open the file → choose Split → set by range, odd/even, or every N pages.
  3. Export parts as separate files and verify thumbnails before sharing.
💡 Tip For large scans, run OCR first in your PDF app so each split remains searchable and selectable.

Naming, Quality, and Privacy Tips

  • Use clear filenames: project-proposal_part1-pages1-4.pdf helps recipients find the right section.
  • Check orientation & size: Rotate pages before exporting; ensure page size is consistent across parts.
  • Keep vector text when possible: Avoid workflows that convert pages to images; text is smaller and sharper.
  • Protect sensitive content: Prefer offline splitting for confidential files. If redacting, use a true Redact tool before sharing.
  • Retain forms/annotations: After splitting, open the new file to confirm form fields, signatures, and comments remain intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Q. Can I split a password-protected PDF?
    A. Yes, after unlocking it with the correct password. Some apps require you to remove the password before splitting.
  2. Q. Will quality change when I split a PDF?
    A. Splitting alone doesn’t reduce quality. If you use print/export workflows that re-encode pages, preview at 100% to confirm clarity.
  3. Q. How do I extract only one page?
    A. Use Print → set Pages to that single page number → Save as PDF. Name it clearly, e.g., invoice-page-3.pdf.
  4. Q. Can I split multiple PDFs at once?
    A. Some mobile PDF apps support batch operations. Look for Split by every N pages or Extract ranges and apply to a folder.

Notes

Note. After splitting, open the new files on the target device to check page order, orientation, and searchable text before sending.

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More step-by-step guides for foreigners in Korea. Browse them on the hub, or jump directly below.

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