How to read PDFs on iPhone/iPad/iPod with iBooks and DropBox
If you’re curious how to read PDFs on your iPhone/iPad or iPod with the iBook application here’s a little quick guide on how to accomplish just this, all with the help of a nifty little service called Dropbox. In short, Dropbox is a fantastic service that allows you to store files (2GB for free, or $9.99 per month / $99.00 per year for 50GB) online. It also syncs those files across all of the computers you own that have the Dropbox software installed, and, you can access all of your stored files via a web browser on any computer.
Ok, let’s get started. First up, install the Dropbox application, which you can get from iTunes, on your iPad/iPhone/iPod as soon as you finish registering for the service.
- Upload a PDF file or several to your Dropbox account. Next up, login into your Dropbox from your iPhone/iPad/iPod and begin accessing your files.
- Tap the “Dropbox” button in the very upper-left corner of the app. Browse through your Dropbox folders and files until you find the PDF you’re looking for. Tap it once to select and open your file.
- Wait for your PDF to load and open. This may take a while depending on your Internet server connection.
- Tap the “Open with” button on the very upper right corner of the Dropbox app.
- Select iBooks from the choice menu and you’re almost set.
- Your PDF has been opened and saved to your iBook application and is available for you to access at any time you wish.
click to enlarge
- Lets get started. Add a PDF file (or several) to your Dropbox account. Once the PDF has been uploaded, open up the Dropbox app on your iPad (iPhone, iPod Touch…).
- Tap the “Dropbox” button in the very upper-left corner of the app. Navigate through your Dropbox folders to locate the PDF file that you want to add to iBooks. Select it by tapping it once.
- Depending on the size of the PDF (and your current Internet connection speed) it may take a while for the PDF to load.
- Once it has loaded, tap the “Open with” button on the very upper right corner of the Dropbox app.
- Select iBooks from whatever may be listed (will vary depending on which apps you have installed).
- Your PDF is now saved in iBooks and will be available for you to read any time you want
I've been a tech enthusiast since when I can remember, being surrounded by computers from an early age. I've learned to embrace technology for it's beautiful capabilities of making man's life a lot easier. I now work as a blogger and web designer. 
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August 11th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Excellent post! I am just starting out in community management/marketing media and trying to learn how to do it well – resources like this article are incredibly useful. As our organization is based in the US, it?s all a little bit new to us. The example above is something that I be concerned about as nicely, how to show your own genuine enthusiasm and write about the truth that your item is useful in that situation.
March 4th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
The one aspect I hate about the ipad is the truth that you can not see flash content. That is I beleive the tabs with Android operating system are a very good substitute… even when the Android operating system drains your battery like crazy.