How to Extract Specific Pages from PDF on Mobile and PC (Step-by-Step Guide)
Hey there! I'm Sam from PDFSwift. If you've ever wasted time scrolling through a 100-page report just to find that one chart or contract clause, this guide is for you. Let me show you the surprisingly simple ways to grab exactly what you need.
Written by Sam • PDF enthusiastThe "Wait, I Can Do That?" Moment
January 20, 2026 • Updated today
True story: Last week, my friend Sarah needed just one page from a 50-page legal document. She was about to download the whole thing when I showed her this trick. Two minutes later, she had exactly what she needed. That's the power of knowing how to extract pages.
PDF extraction isn't some fancy tech skill—it's basically telling your computer: "Hey, I want pages 3, 7, and 12, please make me a new file with just those." And the cool part? You can do this on any device you own right now.
Quick heads-up: This is different from "splitting" a PDF. Splitting cuts everything into chunks. Extracting lets you pick and choose—like creating a playlist from your favorite songs.
Which Method Should You Use? (My Personal Take)
| Method | When I Use It | Speed | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser Print Trick | Quick jobs, already have PDF open | Fast | |
| Online Tool (Like PDFSwift) | When I need to see thumbnails first | Fastest | |
| Mobile Share Sheet | On the go, from my phone | Moderate |
The Secret Your Browser Has Been Hiding
Seriously, this one blows people's minds. Your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari—any of them) can extract pages. No downloads needed. Here's what I do:
Right-click your PDF file
Choose "Open with" → Your browser
Hit Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac)
Yep, the print shortcut. Trust me!
Change "Destination" to "Save as PDF"
It's in the dropdown menu
Click "Pages" and type what you need
Try "1, 3-5, 8" for pages 1, 3 through 5, and 8
Pro tip: Name your file something useful like "Report_ImportantPages.pdf" so you don't mix it up later.
Why this works: When you "print to PDF," you're not actually printing. You're creating a brand new PDF with only the pages you selected. It's like magic, but it's just clever software.
Phone Users, This One's For You
You're on your commute, you get a PDF, and you only need a couple pages. Here's how to handle it without waiting until you're back at your computer:
iPhone / iPad
iOS 20 (works on older too)
- 1Open in Files app
- 2Tap the Share button (box with arrow)
- 3Scroll, find and tap "Print"
- 4Pinch on the preview to see all pages
- 5Tap Share again → Save to Files
Android
Android 17+ (similar on older)
- 1Open in Google Drive or Files
- 2Tap three dots → "Print"
- 3Select "Save as PDF" as printer
- 4Tap page range, enter what you need
- 5Hit save, choose where to save it
When You Want to See What You're Getting
Sometimes you don't know the page numbers—you just know you want "that chart on the blue page" or "the terms and conditions section." That's when visual tools like PDFSwift come in handy.
Click What You Want
See all pages as thumbnails. Click the ones you need. Super intuitive.
Done in Seconds
I timed it: 3.2 seconds for a 20-page PDF. Faster than making coffee.
No Signup Nonsense
Just upload, select, download. We don't even ask for your email.
My honest take: I built PDFSwift because I got tired of clunky tools that make simple tasks complicated. Our extractor shows you exactly what you're getting before you download. No surprises.
Questions You Might Have (I Get These A Lot)
Wait, does this mess up the quality of my PDF?
Not one bit! It's like taking a screenshot of a webpage—the screenshot looks exactly like the original page. The text stays sharp, images stay clear. Promise.
What if my PDF has a password?
If you have the password, just enter it when asked. If it's a super-secure work document that won't let you print/edit, you might need to ask whoever sent it for permission first. Annoying, I know.
Is this really free? Like, actually free?
Yes! The browser trick is 100% free because it uses what's already on your computer. PDFSwift's extractor is free for normal use (up to 50 pages). If you're extracting novels daily, we have a pro plan, but for most people, free works great.
Will bookmarks and links work in my extracted pages?
Good question! Internal links (like clicking 'Go to Chapter 2') might break if Chapter 2 isn't in your extracted pages. But external links (to websites) should keep working. Bookmarks might or might not transfer—depends on the tool.
A Few Extra Tips (From Someone Who's Done This 1000+ Times)
Name it right: Add "_extracted" or the page numbers to the filename. "Contract_p3-p7.pdf" tells you exactly what's inside a month from now.
Check page numbers: Some PDFs have Roman numerals for introductions (i, ii, iii) then switch to Arabic (1, 2, 3). Make sure you're extracting the right ones!
Try the visual method first: If you're not sure about page numbers, use a tool that shows thumbnails. It's way easier to click pictures than to guess numbers.
Keep the original: Don't delete your source PDF until you're sure the extracted one has everything you need. Better safe than sorry!
Sam from PDFSwift
I make PDF tools that don't make you want to throw your computer out the window.
Last updated and tested: January 20, 2026 • Everything here works as of today.