You’ve just taken a photo of an important signed contract with your Samsung Galaxy S24. When you’re about to send it to your boss, you realize that sending it as just a picture might look unprofessional. What you actually need is a PDF—the universal file format trusted by businesses, schools, and even government offices.
This kind of situation happens all the time. Students often need to submit handwritten assignments, employees must send receipts for reimbursement, and families sometimes digitize important documents. According to a University of Cambridge study on digital documentation (2022), PDF remains the most reliable and secure format for sharing files across different devices, ensuring the content always looks identical.
The good news is you don’t need a scanner or a laptop. Your Samsung Galaxy S24 already has everything you need to convert photos to PDF—fast, simple, and completely free.
Understanding the Power of the Samsung Galaxy S24
The Samsung Galaxy S24 isn’t just about stunning photography or lightning-fast performance. With One UI 6.1 and built-in apps like Gallery, Samsung Notes, and My Files, it doubles as a portable document center.
You can:
- Save multiple images as a single PDF.
- Annotate notes or add signatures before exporting.
- Organize and share PDF files directly from your phone.
In short, your S24 is not just a smartphone—it’s also a pocket-sized scanner and PDF converter.
Method 1: Convert Photos to PDF Using the Gallery App
The fastest way to turn your photos into a PDF is through the Samsung Gallery app. Here’s how:
- Open the Gallery app.
Navigate to the photo you want to convert. - Select one or multiple images.
Long-press the first image, then tap additional ones if you want to combine them. - Tap More Options (⋮).
Located at the bottom or top-right corner. - Choose “Print.”
Don’t worry—you won’t actually print anything. - Select “Save as PDF.”
Instead of choosing a printer, pick “Save as PDF.” - Save your file.
Choose where to store it—My Files, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
Tip: When you select multiple photos, Samsung automatically merges them into a single PDF in the order you selected them.
Method 2: Convert Photos to PDF with Samsung Notes
If you need to annotate, highlight, or sign a document before exporting, Samsung Notes is your best friend.
- Open Samsung Notes.
- Create a new note.
- Insert a photo. Tap the + (Insert) icon > Image > select from Gallery.
- Add multiple photos. They’ll appear one after another like pages.
- Edit as needed. You can crop, draw, highlight, or even add your digital signature.
- Export as PDF. Tap the More (⋮) menu > Save as File > PDF.
This is especially useful for students or professionals. Imagine a student compiling handwritten class notes into a polished PDF for their professor. As Harvard Business Review (2021) highlighted, PDF ensures visual consistency for professional documents, unlike JPEG or PNG which can suffer from compression issues.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps (Optional)
While Samsung’s native apps are more than enough, sometimes you need extra features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition), automatic cropping, or direct cloud integration.
Some trusted apps include:
- Adobe Scan – industry standard, excellent OCR.
- Microsoft Lens – integrates seamlessly with Office 365.
- CamScanner – versatile and popular among students.
These apps can recognize text, straighten documents, and even convert handwriting into editable text. The trade-off? They take up extra space and may require sign-in or subscriptions for premium features.
Pro Tips for Better PDF Conversion
- Lighting matters. Take photos in good lighting to avoid shadows.
- Use high resolution. A sharper photo means clearer PDF text.
- Organize smartly. Save your PDFs in folders inside My Files for easy access.
- Backup automatically. Use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive to prevent losing important documents.
- Name your files properly. Instead of “Document1.pdf,” use descriptive names like “Signed_Contract_Sept2025.pdf.”
These small habits can save time, especially when deadlines are tight.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Even the best devices sometimes run into hiccups. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
- Issue: Photos don’t appear in the Print option.
Fix: Update your phone’s software to the latest One UI version. - Issue: PDF file size is too large.
Fix: Use a “Compress PDF” option in apps like Adobe Acrobat or online tools. - Issue: Can’t open PDF.
Fix: Install Adobe Acrobat Reader or use Samsung Internet Viewer.
Conclusion
Converting photos to PDF on the Samsung Galaxy S24 is simple and practical. Whether you use the Gallery app for quick conversions, Samsung Notes for annotated files, or third-party apps for advanced features, everything can be done directly on your phone without extra tools.
This makes everyday tasks—like sending contracts, compiling lecture notes, or archiving receipts—much easier. Instead of worrying about format issues or unprofessional-looking images, you can share polished PDFs in just a few taps.
With these built-in features, the Galaxy S24 is more than just a smartphone. It’s also a reliable document tool that helps you stay organized and work efficiently wherever you are.
FAQ
1. Can I convert multiple photos into one PDF on my Samsung Galaxy S24?
Yes. When you select several photos in the Gallery app and choose the Print → Save as PDF option, Samsung will automatically merge them into a single PDF file.
2. Do I need an additional app to save photos as PDF on Galaxy S24?
No. The Gallery and Samsung Notes apps already include built-in PDF export features. However, if you need advanced functions like OCR or automatic cropping, third-party apps such as Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens can help.
3. Where are my PDF files saved after conversion?
By default, your files are stored in the My Files app under Documents or Downloads. You can also choose to save them directly to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive.
4. Why does my PDF look blurry after converting?
Blurry results usually happen if the photo was taken in low light or with low resolution. Make sure to use good lighting and the highest camera resolution for clear PDFs.
5. Can I add my signature before exporting to PDF?
Yes. If you use Samsung Notes, you can insert your photo, sign directly with the S Pen or your finger, and then export the note as a PDF.
6. What if my PDF file size is too large?
Large PDF files can be compressed using apps like Adobe Acrobat or online PDF compression tools. You can also reduce image resolution before exporting.