Converting JPG to PDF on macOS

Converting JPG images to PDF format on a Mac is straightforward thanks to the built-in tools that Apple provides. This guide covers multiple methods to convert your JPG files to PDF, from the simplest built-in options to third-party solutions for more advanced needs.

Method 1: Using Preview (Built-in)

Preview is macOS’s default image and PDF viewer, and it includes powerful conversion capabilities:

Step 1: Open the JPG Image(s)

1. Locate your JPG file(s) in Finder
2. Double-click to open in Preview (or right-click and select “Open With” > “Preview”)
3. To convert multiple JPGs into a single PDF, select all files in Finder, then open them together

Step 2: Export as PDF

1. With the image open in Preview, click on “File” in the menu bar
2. Select “Export…” (or use the keyboard shortcut ⇧⌘E)
3. From the “Format” dropdown menu, select “PDF”
4. Choose your desired save location and filename
5. Click “Save”

Converting Multiple JPGs to a Single PDF

1. Open the first JPG in Preview
2. In Finder, select the additional JPG files
3. Drag them into the thumbnail sidebar in Preview
4. Arrange the thumbnails in your desired order
5. Go to “File” > “Export as PDF…”
6. Choose your save location and filename
7. Click “Save”

Method 2: Using Quick Actions in Finder

macOS Mojave and later versions include Quick Actions to convert files directly in Finder:

Step 1: Select Your JPG File(s)

1. In Finder, select one or more JPG images
2. Right-click (or Control-click) on the selected file(s)

Step 2: Use Quick Actions

1. From the context menu, select “Quick Actions”
2. Click “Create PDF”
3. The PDF will be created in the same location as the original images
4. For Monterey and later: If you don’t see this option, you can also click the “More…” option to access additional Quick Actions

Method 3: Using Print Dialog (System-wide)

This method works from any application that can display JPG images:

Step 1: Open Your JPG Image

1. Open the JPG file in any application (Preview, Photos, Safari, etc.)

Step 2: Print to PDF

1. Press ⌘P or select “File” > “Print” from the menu
2. In the print dialog, look for the “PDF” button in the lower-left corner
3. Click on it and select “Save as PDF”
4. Choose your save location and filename
5. Click “Save”

Method 4: Using Apple Photos

If you use Photos to manage your images:

Step 1: Open Images in Photos

1. Open the Photos app
2. Select the JPG image(s) you want to convert

Step 2: Export as PDF

1. Click “File” > “Export” > “Export Photo”
2. In the dialog that appears, select “PDF” as the file type
3. Choose quality and size settings
4. Click “Export”
5. Select your destination folder
6. Click “Export” again

Method 5: Using Automator (for Batch Conversion)

Automator is a powerful built-in tool for batch processing:

Step 1: Create an Automator Workflow

1. Open Automator from your Applications folder
2. Select “Workflow” or “Quick Action” as the document type
3. In the search field, type “PDF”
4. Drag “New PDF from Images” from the actions list to the workflow area

Step 2: Configure and Run the Workflow

1. Configure the action settings as needed
2. If you chose “Workflow,” click the “Run” button in the top-right corner and select your JPG files
3. If you chose “Quick Action,” save the workflow and it will appear in Finder’s context menu
4. The converted PDF will be saved to your chosen location

Method 6: Using Third-Party Apps

Several free and paid applications offer additional features:

Option 1: Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free)

1. Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader
2. Open the application
3. Select “File” > “Create” > “PDF from File”
4. Select your JPG image(s)
5. Click “Create”

Option 2: PDF Expert (Paid)

1. Download and install PDF Expert
2. Open the application
3. Click “Create PDF”
4. Select your JPG file(s)
5. Save the resulting PDF

Option 3: Cisdem PDF Creator (Paid)

1. Download and install Cisdem PDF Creator
2. Launch the application
3. Add your JPG files
4. Click “Create” to generate your PDF

Method 7: Using Online Converters

If you prefer web-based solutions:

1. Open your web browser
2. Visit a converter site like:
   • Smallpdf
   • ILovePDF
   • Adobe Online Converter
3. Upload your JPG image(s)
4. Follow the site’s instructions to convert
5. Download the resulting PDF

Adjusting PDF Quality and Size

For Higher Quality PDFs

• In Preview’s Export dialog, choose a higher quality setting if available
• When using the Print dialog method, select “Best” quality
• In third-party apps, look for quality or DPI settings
• Use “High Quality Print” presets when available

For Smaller File Sizes

• In Preview’s Export dialog, look for compression options
• Use “Reduce File Size” in Adobe Acrobat
• In third-party apps, look for optimization settings
• Consider compressing your JPG images before conversion

Organizing Multiple JPGs in a PDF

Rearranging Pages

In Preview:

1. Open the multi-page PDF
2. View the thumbnail sidebar (View > Thumbnails if not visible)
3. Drag thumbnails to rearrange them
4. Save the document (⌘S)

Adding More Images Later

1. Open your existing PDF in Preview
2. Drag new JPG files from Finder into the thumbnail sidebar
3. Position them where desired
4. Save the updated PDF

Troubleshooting Common Issues

PDF Quality Issues

• Check your export settings and select higher quality options
• Ensure your original JPG is high resolution
• Avoid excessive scaling during the conversion process

Large File Sizes

• Use compression options when available
• Consider reducing the resolution of the original JPGs if extreme quality isn’t needed
• Try different conversion methods, as some preserve quality with better compression

Metadata Preservation

• To preserve EXIF data, use third-party tools specifically designed for this purpose
• Preview’s basic conversion may not maintain all metadata

Conclusion

macOS offers numerous built-in methods to convert JPG to PDF without additional software. Preview provides the most versatile built-in option, handling both single and batch conversions with ease. For more advanced needs, Automator workflows or third-party applications provide additional features and customization options.

The method you choose should depend on your specific requirements, such as maintaining image quality, handling batch conversions, or needing additional PDF features. For most users, the built-in Preview application provides the perfect balance of simplicity and functionality.