3 Ways to Send a PDF via Text to Your Customers (Plus Examples)

Sometimes, a text message isn’t enough to get your message across.

Business owners often need to send things like invoices, tickets, quotes, schedules, and other documents that don’t fit neatly into the 160 characters of SMS, or even the 1,600 characters of MMS.

That’s where PDFs come in.

A portable document format, or PDF, is the digital equivalent of handing someone a physical piece of paper. PDFs almost always include text, but they can also feature images and hyperlinks.

Can I text a PDF? 

You can text a PDF to someone, but not through traditional SMS. The easiest way is to use a texting platform with MMS messaging services, which lets you send images, videos, GIFs, audio, and PDFs.

You can also send a PDF from the file app on your phone or by sending a link to the document that’s hosted on your site.

3 ways to send a PDF as a text message:

1. MMS message on a business texting platform
2. File app on iPhone or Android device
3. Link to PDF file in SMS message

1. How to Text a PDF in a Business Texting Platform

By sending a PDF with a business texting platform, you can schedule your messages ahead of time and keep track of your SMS marketing campaigns in your analytics tab.

You have two options for sending PDFs in a business texting app: with SMS or MMS messaging. To follow along with the steps below, sign up for a free 14-day trial of SimpleTexting (no credit card needed).

​​How to Text a PDF via SMS

This method of sending a PDF via text message works well for mass texting use cases.

For example, use this method if you’d like to text a new PDF menu for your restaurant to an exclusive text club to get feedback before rolling it out in your business:

When the recipient clicks, they’ll open the PDF:

1. Begin by logging in to your SimpleTexting dashboard and choosing Campaigns on the left-hand side. Make sure you select SMS as the message type.
2. In your message box, select the media icon.

3. Select Upload, and then choose and upload your desired PDF. You can also upload it by pasting in the URL. Once your PDF is added to your message, select it and press the blue Include button.

4. Your PDF will show up in your message as a link that, when clicked on, will redirect recipients to the document online.

Sending PDFs With Two-Way Business Texting

Two-way business texting simply means you’re conversing with someone one-on-one. For example, with this method you could reply to a customer’s question about billing with an invoice PDF via text messaging.

The process for sending a PDF with two-way messaging in SimpleTexting is similar to sending a PDF via SMS. From your Inbox in SimpleTexting, select the conversation where you want to send the file, and click the paperclip icon.

Select Upload, then select and upload your desired PDF. You can also upload it by pasting in a URL.

Once your PDF is in your text message, select it and press the blue Include button.

Your PDF will show up in your message as a link that, when clicked on, will send recipients to the document online.

How to Text a PDF via MMS

The process of sending a PDF via text with MMS includes all the same steps as SMS. However, the end result isn’t a link, but a physical attachment within the message.

When someone clicks on the PDF, the PDF opens within the text message, and contacts can save the PDF just like a photo.

1. Begin by logging in to your SimpleTexting dashboard and starting a new Campaign. Make sure you select MMS as the message type.

2. In your message box, select the paperclip icon.

3. Select Upload, then click and upload your desired PDF. You can also upload it by pasting in the URL. Once your PDF is added to your message, select it and press the blue Include button.

4. Your PDF will show up directly in your message when clicked and will open without the need for internet connectivity.

2. Attach the PDF From Your Phone’s File App

Though attaching PDFs from your standard iPhone or Android messaging app isn’t ideal for mass texts, it can work in a pinch. 

How to Text a PDF via Text Message on an iPhone:

1. Open the PDF file on your iPhone using the Files app or any PDF viewer app installed on your device.
2. Tap the share button, typically represented by a square with an upward arrow. It is usually located at the bottom left or bottom center of the screen.
3. A list of sharing options will appear. Look for the Messages app icon and tap on it.
4. Enter the recipient’s phone number or select a contact from your contacts list.
5. Add a message if desired.
6. Tap the Send button to send the PDF file as a text message.

How to Text a PDF via Text Message on an Android:

1. Open the PDF file on your Android device using a file manager app or a PDF viewer app.
2. Tap the share button, which is usually represented by three vertical dots or an arrow pointing upward. It is typically located at the top right or bottom of the screen.
3. A list of sharing options will appear. Look for the Messaging app icon (or the icon for your default SMS app) and tap on it.
4. Enter the recipient’s phone number or select a contact from your contacts list.
5. Add a message if desired.
6. Tap the Send button to send the PDF file as a text message.

Note: These steps may vary depending on the version of iOS or Android you’re using and the apps installed on your device.

3. Include a Link to the PDF in an SMS Message

Another way to send a PDF via text is to upload it to your website or an online file manager like Google Drive and paste the link into your message.

Here’s how you’d send a PDF in an SMS message with a link:

1. Upload your PDF to an online file manager or your website and copy the URL that it generates.
2. Open the texting app on your phone and tap on an existing conversation or start a new one.
3. Paste the PDF link into the message. You can add text if you’d like.
4. Hit send.

Why Text a PDF?

We’ve gone through the how of texting a PDF, but why would someone want to send PDFs through text in the first place? 

Beyond the convenience of writing and sending them, texts get impressive open and response rates. It’s why thousands of organizations across the country have transitioned their communications to SMS.

Attaching a PDF to a text is just another way to tailor your business services to a mobile-based market and make sure your customers get the documents they need instantly.

4 Examples of When To Send a PDF via Text

You know now that PDFs are the ideal tool for getting a lot of information across in a neat package. 

Here are a few examples to help you put them to work in your own business:

Monthly Reports

“Hey team! I’ve attached our July web traffic report here. Please check it out ahead of our meeting on Thursday!”

Invoices

“Thank you for choosing New Day Home Services for your home repair needs. Please find today’s invoice attached, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Travel Itineraries

“You’re ready to go! You can find the itinerary for your upcoming trip to Miami in this message. Let us know if you have any questions. Happy travels!”

Menus

“Thanks for reserving your table at Lulu’s Café! Take a look at our menu ahead of your visit.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Texting PDFs

This article was originally written on August 4, 2021, by Meghan Tocci. It was significantly updated on July 10, 2023, by Dani Henion. Nathan Ellering contributed to this piece.