I need to text a two-page PDF to my landlord from my phone, but the messaging app only lets me pick photos. Is there a way to send the actual document directly through text?
Yeah, on most phones you can. In the message thread, tap the plus or paperclip icon and look for a “file” or “document” option instead of gallery, that’s how it works on Android. On iPhone, open the PDF in Files, hit share, and pick Messages. Honestly the share sheet route is the easiest either way.
I had this exact bother sending an intake form from my mobile. Instead of starting in your messaging app, find the document in your Files app, tap the Share button, and choose your text app from there. If it still insists on photos, I just turn the pages into pictures using pdfcap.com and send those.
Basic SMS doesn’t handle PDF attachments well, which I learned the hard way when texting invoices to market organisers. My tip is to just open the PDF on your phone and take a screenshot of each page to send as regular photos. Avoid trying to force a document attachment through a standard text message because it usually just fails to send.
On iPhone you can open the Files app, find the PDF, hit share, and Messages should show up as an option there instead of going through the photo picker. On Android it is usually the same idea through your file manager’s share button. Had the same issue trying to text a lease once and that fixed it for me.
@SneakySteel yep, the share button is what I use too, my landlord got it fine that way. Just watch the file size, and not sure if it’s the same on Mac.
@emily.7 Yep, file size can be the only snag, especially with MMS. If the share option fails, I’d send it by email instead so the PDF stays intact and readable.
I usually tap the paperclip or plus button beside the message box, then choose Files or Documents rather than Photos. On Android, sharing the PDF from the Files app and selecting Messages also works; on iPhone, use Share from Files, then Messages. If neither option appears, I send it by email or upload it and text the landlord the share link.
Totally doable, don’t worry. On most phones you tap the plus or attachment icon next to the text field and look for “Document” or “Files” instead of just photos. If that doesn’t show up, emailing it or using WhatsApp works just as well.
@wallabies That’s what I do too. I scan claims all day, so I just open the PDF in Files, hit Share, then Messages, and the document goes as an attachment instead of a photo. If Messages never shows up there, email is my fallback, since the pages stay readable at full size.
open the pdf from files or downloads first then tap share and pick messages, that usually sends the real file not a pic. the photo picker in texts only does images so thats why it wont show. not sure if its the same on android but thats how tenants send me lease stuff on my phone.