Full flow
How PDF Ready works
See the complete flow from scan or import to review, versions, and clean export.
Help with preparing a PDF for upload
Start here: import or scan, keep the source in Originals, open Prepare, review the prepared result in Versions, and export the final clean copy only when it looks right.
Visual guides
Open with
Open a PDF from another app
Import a PDF to Originals first and only then choose whether you need Prepare.
Source vs results
Originals vs Versions
Understand the difference between the source file and prepared results.
Prepare
Prepare guide
See how Prepare starts from Originals, how to choose the portal and size, and what to review before clean export.
Create and edit before Prepare
Scanner
Scan a document
Use Camera or Photos, review pages, and create the source PDF before Prepare.
Handwritten signature
Add a handwritten signature
Add one visible handwritten signature to the current document before Prepare.
Photo or image
Add a photo or image
Add one visible image to the current document before Prepare when that path makes sense.
Page cleanup
Clean up pages before Prepare
Reorder, rotate, or delete pages before portal and size work begins in Prepare.
Merge / Split
Merge or split PDFs
Use merge or split only for one-off document prep before Prepare.
Quick answers
What should I do first?
Start from a PDF or scanner, then open Prepare from the original file.
Where do I choose GENERAL, IRCC, or CEAC?
Inside Prepare, before you create the next result.
Where do I review the result?
Review prepared results in Versions before clean export.
FAQ
What is PDF Ready for?
PDF Ready is for preparing PDFs before upload when strict size limits or compatibility rules get in the way. Start from photos, scans, or an existing file, choose an exact size target, prepare a result, review warnings and readability, and export a final clean copy when it is ready to use.
Is PDF Ready a full PDF editor?
No. PDF Ready is focused on strict upload limits and clean export. It is not a full PDF editor or a document management system.
Is PDF Ready a web converter?
No. PDF Ready is an Android app. PDF contents are processed on-device by default and are not uploaded to PDF Ready servers.
Can I prepare a PDF without uploading it?
Yes. PDF contents are prepared on-device by default. Purchases, sharing, cloud storage, email, or the final upload to a destination portal can require connectivity or external services you choose to use.
Why is my PDF too large to upload?
Many upload paths use strict file-size limits. PDF Ready lets you choose exact targets such as 300 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB, or 12 MB, then review the prepared result before clean export.
Can I prepare a 2 MB PDF on Android?
Yes. Choose the 2 MB target in PDF Ready, prepare a result, review warnings and readability, and export the final clean copy only when it is ready.
Why can a portal reject a PDF even if it is under the limit?
PDF Ready can help you get closer to the visible requirements of a portal, such as size, format, and compatibility checks, but it cannot control portal outages, hidden rules, or final acceptance. If the file still fails, check the exact limit shown in your upload path, the file name, and whether the destination portal is accepting files at that moment.
Does PDF Ready decide portal acceptance?
No. PDF Ready prepares the file, but the destination makes the final decision. The destination portal makes the final acceptance decision.
Do I pay before checking the result?
No. You can scan or import, choose an exact size, prepare a result, review warnings, and check readability before paying.
Is the payment a subscription?
No. The paid step is the final clean export for that document through Google Play. It is not a monthly subscription.
Common tasks
Original file
Open a PDF from another app
Import to Originals first, then decide whether you need Prepare.
Result
Review before clean export
Understand the boundary between the prepared result and the final clean copy.
Prepare options
PDF/A-2b
Use PDF/A-2b only when the portal explicitly asks for it, and only after the portal and size limit are clear.
Search-friendly answers
How do I compress a PDF to 2 MB on Android?
Open the PDF in PDF Ready, choose the 2 MB target, prepare the result, review readability, and export the clean final copy when it is ready.
How do I compress a PDF to 300 KB without ruining readability?
Choose 300 KB and review the result carefully. If the document becomes hard to read and your upload path allows it, try 500 KB or a larger exact size.
Can I compress a PDF without uploading it to a website?
Yes. PDF contents are processed on-device by default and are not uploaded to PDF Ready servers.
Can I OCR a scanned PDF on my phone?
Yes. OCR can make scanned text searchable, but OCR-heavy jobs can take longer because processing happens locally.
Can I create a PDF from photos?
Yes. Use photos as the source, review pages, then prepare size and export settings before clean export.
Can I sign a PDF and add a photo?
Yes. You can add a visible handwritten signature or image when the document needs that visual detail.
Can I reorder, rotate, or delete pages?
Yes. Use page cleanup before export to fix order, orientation, or extra pages.
Can I prepare PDF/A-2b on Android?
Yes, when your workflow asks for PDF/A-2b. Do not enable it unless the destination requests it.
Can I use PDF Ready for forms?
Fill the form in its original app when you can. If needed, complete it by hand, scan it with PDF Ready, then compress, clean up, and export a practical copy to send.
Do I need a subscription?
No. You can scan/import, prepare, and review before paying. The paid step is the final clean export for that document through Google Play.
Have a form to fill out?
Fill it in with the original app when you can. If needed, complete it by hand, scan it with PDF Ready, then compress, clean up, and export a clean copy to send.
Does PDF Ready replace an advanced PDF suite for complex forms?
No. PDF Ready does not replace a specialist PDF suite for complex dynamic form editing. It helps you prepare, clean up, scan, compress, and export a practical copy to send.
Advanced help
Simple path and product boundary
- Start from your PDF or create one from photos.
- If needed, add a handwritten signature or a photo or image on the current document.
- Choose the file size you need, or use GENERAL, IRCC, or CEAC if you already know the portal.
- Review the prepared result.
- Use clean export only when you are ready to keep or send the final copy.
On-device processing
Your file stays on your device while you prepare it. If you want to check that behavior yourself:
- Save a PDF locally on the device.
- Switch on airplane mode.
- Open PDF Ready and import the file.
- Generate a new version.
Note: this checks local PDF processing only. Buying the final clean copy still requires connectivity through Google Play.
Scanner, signature, and one photo
- You can create a PDF from the camera or from photos already on the device.
- Scanner includes source selection, page review, reorder, rotate, delete, edge adjustment, and final PDF creation.
- Handwritten signature and photo/image are visible additions to the current document before Prepare.
- These are not certified digital-signature workflows.
Originals, Versions, and size choice
- Originals keeps the PDF you imported or scanned first.
- Versions holds prepared results you compare before clean export.
- GENERAL is the right start when you only know the target size.
- IRCC uses 2 MB / 3 MB / 4 MB according to the real portal path.
- CEAC should normally start with 2 MB.
- OCR and PDF/A-2b are optional and should be enabled only when the portal really needs them.
Exact size targets include 300 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB, and 12 MB.
Protected PDFs, XFA, and validated originals
- If the PDF asks for a password and you know it, enter it so PDF Ready can unlock and process the file.
- If it opens without asking for a password, try Unlock to remove restrictions before generating a new copy.
- Dynamic XFA forms are not supported; export a flat PDF or use Print to PDF first.
- If a digital signature, barcode validation, or other validated state must remain intact, keep the original file.
Billing, support, and other tools
- The paid step is the final clean copy for this document.
- This is not a subscription and not a global unlock for every document.
- Google Play handles billing and refunds under its own policies.
- PDF Ready also includes merge, split, reorder, delete, and compatible unlock tools for one-off tasks.
- Use the in-app Issue report to share recent attempts, sizes, and applied steps without sending PDF contents unless you choose to share them.
Ready to try it?
Get PDF Ready on Google Play.
Workflow feedback
Trying PDF Ready for a real workflow?
Tell us what you are preparing and where the file got stuck. Do not send private documents. Send the workflow only: size limit, file type, and what failed.
Support
- About PDF Ready: About PDF Ready explains what the app does, what it does not do, and where support is visible.
- Android app: Get it on Google Play
- Support: [email protected]
- Purchases and refunds: Google Play handles billing and refunds under its own policies.
See also: Privacy · Terms · Pricing
When PDF/A-2b matters PDF/A-2b
- Open this guide only when the portal explicitly asks for PDF/A-2b.
- Read the PDF/A-2b guide