How to compress a PDF on Android
Android has no built-in way to shrink a PDF, and the app stores are full of converters that want subscriptions or upload your files. The tool below does the job in Chrome, on the phone, without any of that.
Drag and drop here, or choose from your device.
Up to 50 MB per file. Files are processed in your browser.
Full options and FAQs on the Compress PDF page.
Getting the file ready
- Downloads folder — open Files by Google and look under Downloads.
- Email attachment — download it to the phone first rather than opening the preview.
- Google Drive — use the three-dot menu and Download so you have a local copy to pick.
Compressing in the browser
Add the PDF to the compressor below and start with the medium level. On a scanned document that typically saves 60-80% of the size with no obvious change on a phone screen. Everything runs on your device, so a heavy file on an older phone simply takes longer — let it finish rather than reloading the page.
When compression alone is not enough
If the strongest level still misses your target, the document is probably long as well as heavy. Splitting it and sending only the relevant pages is usually accepted, and combining both approaches — split first, then compress the part you send — gets even a 50 MB scan under typical limits.
Step by step
- 1Make sure the PDF is saved locally on the phone.
- 2Open this page in Chrome and add the PDF below.
- 3Pick a compression level — medium is the right starting point.
- 4Download the result and open it to check legibility.
- 5Attach the smaller file wherever the original failed.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work on any Android phone?
- Yes — any recent Chrome or Firefox browser. Very old devices handle small files fine but may be slow with 100+ page scans.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No app, no extension, no account. It is a web page that processes the file on your phone.