When you need this
- Your mail app refuses to attach a PDF.
- A message bounced back with an attachment size error.
- The recipient never received the document.
- You need to send a scanned contract or invoice that is currently too large.
Steps
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Check the attachment limit
Find the maximum attachment size your mail provider, or the recipient's, allows.
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Send the PDF to PDF JustFit
In Mail, tap Share on the attachment and choose PDF JustFit. You do not need to open the app first.
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Enter the target size
Use a size safely under the limit — the product description uses 2 MB as its example.
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Compress and check
Compare the result to confirm text is still readable and any signature or figure is still clear.
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Attach and send
Attach the compressed PDF to the email and send it.
Compress from Mail directly
The share sheet extension compresses a PDF straight from Mail. The result flows back into PDF JustFit automatically, so the file does not need to be saved, found and re-opened.
A size you can name
Because PDF JustFit accepts a target size, you can enter the actual limit your provider states rather than experimenting with quality settings until the file happens to fit.
Privacy and limitations
Attachment limits vary
Different mail providers and different recipients apply different limits. Check the limit that applies to your message rather than assuming a single universal number.
Some documents need Maximum mode
If a heavily scanned document will not reach the limit in Smart mode, Maximum compression rasterises pages to go smaller.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce a PDF for email?
Enter the attachment limit as the target size in PDF JustFit, compress the document, verify the result and attach the compressed file to your message.
Can I compress a PDF attachment directly from Mail?
Yes. The PDF JustFit share sheet extension works from Mail, Files, Safari and other apps, and the compressed result flows back into the app automatically.
Sources
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