Convert GIF to PDF on Mac
Select the GIF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PDF and press Return. FileFlip saves each PDF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert GIF to PDF with FileFlip
Select the GIF files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from GIF. Type “PDF” to jump to it.
Choose PDF and press Return
The PDF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The GIF files stay as they are.
GIF and PDF
GIF is limited to 256 colors and makes large files. 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.
| Property | GIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graphics Interchange Format | Portable Document Format |
| Made by | CompuServe | Adobe; an ISO standard since 2008 |
| Introduced | 1987 | 1993 |
| Best for | Short animations and simple graphics | Sharing, printing and archiving documents |
| Opens in | Everywhere, including browsers and chat apps | Every browser, Preview, Acrobat and every phone |
| File extension | .gif | |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens 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 GIF 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 animation.gif \
--out animation.pdfBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about GIF and PDF
Can I convert many GIF 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 GIF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PDF back to GIF?
No, FileFlip doesn’t convert PDF to GIF.
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