How to translate a PDF on iPhone (Step by step guide)

Can you translate a PDF on iPhone?

Yes, you can translate a PDF on iPhone. However, the best method depends on the type of PDF you are working with. There are two main types of PDF files:

• Text-based PDFs (copyable text)

• Scanned PDFs (image-based text)

Some translation methods work only with copyable text, while others are designed to translate scanned documents using camera and OCR technology. If you want the most accurate translation, you should first identify which type of PDF you have.

Quick answer: Best way to translate a PDF on iPhone

If you want the easiest and most accurate method, the best option is using a dedicated translation app like Translate Now, which supports translating text from documents, images, and screenshots.

Translate Now is built for real-world translation needs and works well for PDFs, scanned documents, and international paperwork.

Method 1: Translate a PDF using copy and paste

If your PDF contains selectable text, you can translate it directly using copy and paste.

Step by step instructions

1. Open the PDF on your iPhone using Files, Safari, or your email app

2. Tap and hold on the text you want to translate

3. Select Copy

4. Paste the text into a translation tool

5. Choose the target language and translate

This method works well for short sections of text, such as paragraphs, addresses, or instructions.

Pros

• Free and simple

• Works with any translation tool

Cons

• Formatting is lost

• Not ideal for long documents

• Does not work well with scanned PDFs

If you frequently translate documents, you will want a faster option.

Method 2: Translate a PDF on iPhone using the Translate Now app

If you want a smoother and more accurate workflow, a translation app designed for iPhone is the best solution. Translate Now is a powerful AI translation app that helps you translate text, documents, images, and conversations.

It is especially useful when your PDF contains:

• Long paragraphs

• Official language

• Multiple pages

• Scanned text

Step by step: How to translate a PDF using Translate Now

1. Open your PDF in the Files app or email

2. Take a screenshot of the page you want to translate

3. Open Translate Now

4. Use the image translation feature to scan the text

5. Select your target language

6. View the translated text instantly

This is one of the fastest ways to translate PDF content without retyping anything.

Why this method works so well

Translate Now uses AI translation and text recognition to extract content from PDFs, even when the document is not fully selectable.

This makes it a practical solution for:

• travel documents

• invoices and receipts

• academic PDFs

• legal and business forms

Method 3: Translate a scanned PDF on iPhone

Some PDFs are not made of selectable text. Instead, they are scanned documents, meaning each page is saved as an image. This is common for:

• contracts and legal documents

• immigration forms

• invoices and receipts

• school paperwork

• printed documents saved as PDFs

In these cases, copy and paste does not work because your iPhone cannot detect the text automatically.

Best solution: Screenshot + OCR translation

1. Open the scanned PDF on your iPhone

2. Zoom in to make the text clearer and easier to detect

3. Take a screenshot of the page you want to translate

4. Open Translate Now app

5. Use the Image Translation feature to scan and translate the text instantly

Translate Now’s Image Translation tool is designed specifically for situations like scanned PDFs, screenshots, and photo-based documents.

Method 4: Translate a PDF using Live Text on iPhone

Apple’s iPhone Live Text feature can detect text in images and screenshots. If your PDF is scanned, Live Text may still allow you to select and copy the words.

Step by step instructions

1. Open the PDF on your iPhone

2. Take a screenshot of the page

3. Open the screenshot in Photos

4. Tap the Live Text icon (text selection tool)

5. Select the text and copy it

6. Paste it into your translator app

This is a useful free workaround, especially for short documents.

Limitations

• Live Text may miss words in low quality scans

• Formatting is not preserved

• Some languages are detected less accurately

For more accurate translations, use a dedicated translation app.

Method 5: Use a Translator Keyboard to translate PDF content faster

If you often translate text from PDFs and paste it into emails, notes, or messaging apps, a translator keyboard can save time. Instead of switching between apps, a translator keyboard lets you translate while typing.

Best option: Translator Keyboard by Air Apps

You can install Translator Keyboard on iPhone and use it to translate copied text into any language while you write.

This is especially useful if you need to:

• translate PDF text and reply to it

• respond to international clients

• paste translated content into WhatsApp or email

For example, if you copy text from a PDF and need to send a translated response in WhatsApp, a translator keyboard is one of the fastest solutions.

How to translate an entire PDF on iPhone

If your PDF is long, translating everything at once may not be practical. Instead, use this workflow:

Best workflow for long PDFs

1. Translate the most important sections first

2. Use screenshots for each page

3. Translate page by page

4. Save the translated text into Notes or Google Docs

5. Double-check names, dates, and numbers manually

This ensures accuracy and avoids missing important details.

Tips for better PDF translation accuracy

Even the best translation apps can struggle with certain PDF layouts. Here are simple tips to improve results.

1. Zoom in before translating

Zooming in makes the text clearer for OCR recognition.

2. Translate in smaller sections

If the PDF has columns or tables, translate one section at a time for better results.

3. Watch out for official terms

Legal and government documents may contain phrases that need careful interpretation.

4. Double check proper names and numbers

Translation tools can misread:

• passport numbers

• currency values

• addresses

• names and dates

Always verify critical information.

Best translation app for PDF files on iPhone

If your goal is to translate PDF documents smoothly, you need an app that supports:

• OCR scanning for scanned PDFs

• camera and image translation

• fast text translation

• reliable language detection

• iPhone friendly interface

Translate Now is designed for this type of real-world use and is one of the best translation apps for iPhone in 2026.

Final thoughts

Knowing how to translate a PDF on iPhone is a valuable skill, especially if you travel, work with international clients, or study in another language. For short text PDFs, copy and paste can work.

For scanned documents, screenshots and OCR translation are the best solution. If you want the fastest and most accurate experience, using a dedicated translation app like Translate Now makes PDF translation simple and reliable.