Converting HEIC to PDF on Android

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is Apple’s preferred image format, but you might receive these files from iPhone users or need to work with them on your Android device. This guide covers multiple methods to convert HEIC images to PDF format directly on your Android phone or tablet.

Method 1: Using Google Files App

Google’s Files app offers basic conversion capabilities:

Step 1: Install HEIC Support

1. First, you need to ensure your device can open HEIC files
2. Install “HEIC Image Viewer” or “HEIF Converter” from the Google Play Store
3. This allows your Android device to recognize and open HEIC files

Step 2: View and Convert

1. Open the Files app (Google Files)
2. Navigate to the folder containing your HEIC images
3. Tap on the HEIC image to open it
4. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner
5. Select “Print”
6. In the print dialog, tap the dropdown menu at the top
7. Select “Save as PDF”
8. Choose where to save the PDF file

Method 2: Using Google Drive

Google Drive provides a reliable way to convert images to PDF:

Step 1: Upload HEIC Files

1. Open the Google Drive app
2. Tap the ”+” button in the bottom-right corner
3. Select “Upload”
4. Navigate to and select your HEIC files
5. Wait for the upload to complete

Step 2: Convert to PDF

1. Locate the uploaded HEIC file in Google Drive
2. Tap the three-dot menu next to the file
3. Select “Open with”
4. Choose “Google Docs” (this will create a document with the image)
5. Once the document opens, tap the three-dot menu
6. Select “Share & export”
7. Choose “Save as PDF”
8. Select a location to save the PDF

Method 3: Using Microsoft Office App

Microsoft’s all-in-one Office app offers good document creation capabilities:

Step 1: Install the App

1. Download and install “Microsoft Office” from Google Play Store
2. Open the app and sign in (optional, but recommended)

Step 2: Create a PDF with Your HEIC Images

1. Tap the ”+” button at the bottom
2. Select “Documents” or “New PDF”
3. Tap “Create from images”
4. Navigate to and select your HEIC images
5. Adjust the layout if needed
6. Tap “Done” or “Create PDF”
7. Save the PDF to your desired location

Method 4: Using Specialized Conversion Apps

Several dedicated apps can handle HEIC to PDF conversion:

Option 1: Image to PDF Converter

1. Download “Image to PDF Converter” from Google Play Store
2. Open the app
3. Tap “Select Photos” or the ”+” icon
4. Navigate to and select your HEIC images
5. Tap “Convert” or “Create PDF”
6. Choose your PDF settings (quality, page size, etc.)
7. Tap “Save” or “Create PDF”
8. Select a location to save the file

Option 2: CamScanner

1. Install “CamScanner” from Google Play Store
2. Open the app
3. Tap the ”+” button to add images
4. Select “Import Images” and choose your HEIC files
5. The app will process the images
6. Tap “Email” or “Share” icon
7. Select “PDF”
8. Choose quality settings
9. Save or share the resulting PDF

Option 3: Adobe Acrobat Reader

1. Install “Adobe Acrobat Reader” from Google Play Store
2. Open the app
3. Tap the ”+” icon in the bottom-right corner
4. Select “Create PDF”
5. Choose “From Image” or “From Gallery”
6. Select your HEIC images
7. Adjust settings as needed
8. Tap “Create” to generate your PDF
9. Save the file to your device or Adobe cloud

Method 5: Using Online Converters via Browser

If you prefer not to install additional apps:

1. Open Chrome or your preferred browser
2. Visit an online converter site like:
   • HEICtoJPG.com (converts to JPG first, then to PDF)
   • CloudConvert.com
   • Zamzar.com
3. Upload your HEIC files following the site’s instructions
4. Select PDF as the output format
5. Download the converted file(s)

Troubleshooting

HEIC Files Not Opening

• Make sure you’ve installed a HEIC viewer/converter app
• Some older Android versions may require additional codecs

Conversion Quality Issues

• For best quality, use apps that offer quality settings
• Adjust DPI and resolution settings when available

File Size Concerns

• If the resulting PDF is too large, look for compression options in the conversion app
• Most PDF creators let you adjust quality vs. file size

Batch Converting Multiple HEIC Images to PDF

For multiple HEIC files:

1. Most dedicated conversion apps support batch processing
2. In apps like “Image to PDF Converter” or “CamScanner,” select all desired images before conversion
3. Check for options to combine all images into one PDF or create separate PDFs

Conclusion

While Android doesn’t natively support HEIC files as well as iOS devices do, there are plenty of effective solutions for converting HEIC to PDF. For occasional conversions, using Google Drive or the Files app print function works well. For frequent conversions, dedicated apps like CamScanner or Adobe Acrobat provide more features and better quality control.

Choose the method that best fits your needs based on how often you need to convert files, the number of files you’re working with, and whether you need additional PDF editing features.