Convert AVIF to PDF on Mac

Select the AVIF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PDF and press Return. FileFlip saves each PDF next to its original and works without an internet connection.

Coming soon for MacComing soon · macOS 14 Sonoma or later
Example: IMG_4021.HEIC selected in Finder with FileFlip open next to it, suggesting JPEG, PNG and AVIF, with TIFF, PDF, GIF and ICNS under Other formats.

How to convert AVIF to PDF with FileFlip

  1. Select the AVIF files

    In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.

  2. Press ⌥ F

    FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from AVIF. Type “PDF” to jump to it.

  3. Choose PDF and press Return

    The PDF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The AVIF files stay as they are.

AVIF and PDF

AVIF is still new, so plenty of apps and upload forms can’t open it. A PDF looks the same on every device and is the safest way to send something to be read or printed.

What changes when you convert

  • The image is placed on a PDF page, which is handy for sending, printing or attaching to forms.
AVIF compared with PDF
PropertyAVIFPDF
Full nameAV1 Image File FormatPortable Document Format
Made byAlliance for Open MediaAdobe; an ISO standard since 2008
Introduced20191993
Best forSmall, high-quality images on the webSharing, printing and archiving documents
Opens inCurrent versions of Chrome, Firefox and Safari; macOS 13 and later; many apps can’t open it yetEvery browser, Preview, Acrobat and every phone
File extension.avif.pdf
In FileFlipOpens and savesOpens and saves

Other ways on a Mac

For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.

Preview

Open the AVIF in Preview, choose File → Export, pick PDF from the Format menu and click Save. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.

Good for a few files now and then.

Terminal

The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.

sips -s format pdf image.avif \
  --out image.pdf

Built into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.

Questions about AVIF and PDF

Can I convert many AVIF files at once?

Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose PDF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.

Where is the PDF file saved?

Next to the original, with the same name and the .pdf extension. The AVIF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.

Can I convert PDF back to AVIF?

No, FileFlip doesn’t convert PDF to AVIF.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.

Convert a whole folder of images at once

FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Coming soon for Mac