How to merge PDF files on any device

Combining PDFs, such as a CV and certificates, or invoices for an expense claim, is one of the most common document tasks. Here's how to do it on each device, plus a method that works everywhere.

On any device: in your browser

1. Open Merge PDF.
2. Drop in your PDF files, or tap to choose them.
3. Put them in order with the arrows.
4. Tap Merge and download.

DocNova merges the files on your own device, so they're not uploaded anywhere, which matters for CVs, contracts and financial documents.

On a Mac (Preview)

1. Open the first PDF in Preview.
2. Choose View, then Thumbnails, to show the page sidebar.
3. Drag the other PDFs into the sidebar where you want them.
4. Choose File, then Export as PDF, to save the combined file.

On iPhone or iPad (Files app)

1. Open the Files app and go to the folder with your PDFs.
2. Tap Select and choose the files in the order you want.
3. Tap the More (…) button and choose Create PDF.

On Windows

Windows doesn't include a simple built-in way to merge PDFs. Use a browser-based tool like DocNova, or a PDF editor if you already have one.

On Android

Many Android phones don't include a merge feature either. The browser method above works in Chrome and other mobile browsers.

Tips

• Name files with numbers (01-cv.pdf, 02-certificate.pdf) so they're easy to order.
• After merging, check the page order with Reorder pages and remove blank pages with Delete pages.
• Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before merging.
• If the merged file is too large to email, see how to make a PDF smaller.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a limit to how many PDFs I can merge?

No fixed limit. Each file can be up to 100 MB, and very large jobs depend on your device's memory. If a merge is slow, combine files in two smaller batches and then merge the results.

Will merging reduce quality?

No. Pages are copied exactly as they are; text stays sharp and searchable, and images aren't recompressed.

Can I merge PDFs with different page sizes?

Yes. Each page keeps its own size and orientation, so an A4 letter and a landscape spreadsheet can sit in the same file.

Do bookmarks and links survive?

Page content is kept, but bookmarks from the original files may not carry over to the merged document.