How to Change a PDF into a PNG on Windows, Mac, and Mobile
I remember the first time someone asked me how to change a PDF into a PNG on different devices - I rattled off three different methods for Windows, completely forgetting they were on a Mac. That taught me something important: the "best" method totally depends on what device you're using. After helping hundreds of people across every platform imaginable, I've figured out the easiest path for each one.
Quick Answer
To change a PDF into a PNG: Windows: Use Adobe Acrobat, Paint 3D, or online tools. Mac: Use Preview (built-in), Automator, or online converters. Mobile: Use dedicated apps like PDF to Image Converter or online tools through your browser. Each platform has free native options that work excellently.
Platform Quick Guide:
Windows
Adobe Acrobat or Paint 3D
Mac
Preview (free & built-in)
Mobile
PDF to Image apps
But here's the thing - each platform has multiple options, and some are way better than others. Let me walk you through the exact steps I use on each device, plus the insider tricks that make everything faster and easier.
Why Your Device Choice Actually Matters
Here's something most guides won't tell you: the "best" way to convert PDFs isn't universal. I learned this the hard way when I gave Windows instructions to a Mac user, and they spent an hour trying to find software that doesn't exist on their system.
💡 The Platform Reality Check
Each operating system was designed with different philosophies. Mac includes powerful built-in tools that Windows users need to download separately. Windows has broader software compatibility but requires more setup. Mobile devices excel at simple, touch-friendly operations but struggle with complex tasks.
Understanding these differences will save you hours of frustration and help you choose the right approach for your situation.
Windows Strengths
- • Huge software library
- • Multiple free options
- • Great for batch processing
- • Adobe integration
Mac Advantages
- • Powerful built-in Preview
- • Automator for workflows
- • No additional downloads needed
- • Consistent user experience
Mobile Benefits
- • Always in your pocket
- • Simple, intuitive apps
- • Cloud integration
- • Touch-optimized interfaces
Windows: Your Complete Conversion Toolkit
Windows gives you the most options, which can be both a blessing and a curse. I'll show you three methods - from the professional-grade solution to the completely free alternative that's probably already on your computer.
Method 1: Adobe Acrobat Pro (Premium Option)
If you already have Adobe Acrobat Pro (or the free trial), this is hands-down the best method. The quality is unmatched, and it handles complex PDFs like a champ.
📝 Step-by-Step Process:
- 1Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
- 2Click "Export PDF" in the right-hand panel
- 3Select "Image" from the format options
- 4Choose "PNG" from the dropdown menu
- 5Click "Export" and choose your save location
✅ Pros:
- • Highest quality output
- • Handles complex PDFs perfectly
- • Batch processing available
- • Professional color management
❌ Cons:
- • Requires paid software
- • Large file size and slow startup
- • Overkill for simple conversions
- • Learning curve for beginners
Method 2: Paint 3D (Free & Built-in)
This is my secret weapon for Windows users who don't want to install anything. Paint 3D comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, and it can handle PDF to PNG conversion better than you'd expect.
📝 Step-by-Step Process:
- 1Open your PDF in any PDF viewer (Edge works fine)
- 2Take a screenshot using Windows + Shift + S
- 3Open Paint 3D and paste the screenshot (Ctrl + V)
- 4Crop and adjust as needed using the selection tools
- 5Save as PNG by going to Menu → Save As → Image → PNG
Pro Tip: For multi-page PDFs, use the scroll feature to capture each page individually. It's a bit manual, but perfect for occasional use.
Method 3: Online Converters (Universal)
Honestly? For most Windows users, I recommend online tools like our PDF to PNG converter. They're fast, reliable, and work identically across all your devices.
📝 Universal Online Process:
- 1Visit a reliable converter (like PDFtoPNG.co)
- 2Drag and drop your PDF file or click to upload
- 3Click "Convert" and wait for processing
- 4Download your PNG files individually or as a ZIP
Mac: The Built-in Powerhouse
Mac users, you've won the lottery here. Apple included incredibly powerful conversion tools right in the operating system. No downloads, no subscriptions, no hassle - just pure, elegant functionality.
Method 1: Preview (The Mac Way)
Preview is arguably the best PDF to PNG converter ever created, and it comes free with every Mac. I've used $500 software that doesn't work as smoothly as Preview.
📝 Step-by-Step Process:
- 1Double-click your PDF to open it in Preview
- 2Select pages in the sidebar (Cmd+A for all pages)
- 3Go to File → Export Selected Images
- 4Choose PNG format from the dropdown
- 5Click "Choose" to save all pages as PNG files
Mac Magic: Preview automatically names your files logically (document-1.png, document-2.png, etc.) and maintains perfect quality. It's faster than most paid software.
Method 2: Automator (For Power Users)
If you regularly convert dozens of PDFs, Automator can create a workflow that converts entire folders with a single click. It's like having a personal assistant for file conversion.
📝 One-Time Setup Process:
- 1Open Automator (in Applications folder)
- 2Choose "Workflow" and click Choose
- 3Drag "Render PDF Pages as Images" into the workflow area
- 4Set format to PNG and choose quality settings
- 5Save as Application for easy future use
Pro Tip: Once set up, just drag PDF files onto your Automator app icon and watch them convert automatically. Perfect for processing client files or batch jobs.
Mobile: Conversion in Your Pocket
Mobile PDF conversion used to be terrible. Now? Some of the best tools are actually on your phone. Whether you're on iOS or Android, I've found solutions that work beautifully with touch interfaces.
iPhone & iPad
📱 Best App: PDF to Image Converter
Free download from the App Store, works offline, no ads in the basic version.
Quick Steps:
- 1. Open the app and tap "Select PDF"
- 2. Choose your file from Files, Photos, or cloud storage
- 3. Select pages to convert (or all)
- 4. Tap "Convert to PNG"
- 5. Save to Photos or share directly
🌐 Online Alternative:
Safari works great with online converters. Visit PDFtoPNG.co, upload via the browser, and download results to Files app.
Android
📱 Best App: Image Converter
Free on Google Play, supports batch conversion, integrates with Google Drive.
Quick Steps:
- 1. Install and open Image Converter
- 2. Tap "PDF to Image"
- 3. Select your PDF from storage
- 4. Choose PNG as output format
- 5. Tap convert and save to gallery
☁️ Google Drive Workflow:
Store PDFs in Google Drive, convert on mobile, automatically sync PNG results back to Drive for access anywhere.
📱 Mobile Pro Tips:
- Use cloud storage: Keep PDFs in Google Drive or iCloud for easy access across devices
- Batch when possible: Mobile apps often process multiple pages faster than individual conversions
- Check output quality: Mobile screens can hide quality issues - test on a larger screen if precision matters
- Share directly: Most apps can share converted PNGs to email, messaging, or social media without saving locally
Platform Showdown: Which Method Should You Choose?
After using every method across all platforms, here's my honest recommendation for different scenarios:
| Scenario | Best Option | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Quick single file (Mac) | Preview | Fast, free, perfect quality |
| Professional work (Windows) | Adobe Acrobat | Unmatched quality control |
| Batch processing (Any) | Online Tools | Handle 20+ files easily |
| On the go (Mobile) | Dedicated Apps | Touch-optimized, offline capable |
| Occasional use (Windows) | Paint 3D | Free, already installed |
🏆 Overall Winner: Mac Preview
If you're on Mac, nothing beats Preview. It's fast, free, intuitive, and produces excellent results. Apple got this one right.
🌐 Universal Choice: Online Tools
For consistency across all your devices, online converters work identically everywhere and often have the best batch processing features.
💡 Surprise Winner: Mobile Apps
Modern mobile apps are incredibly polished and perfect for quick conversions when you're away from your computer.
When Things Go Wrong: Platform-Specific Fixes
Every platform has its quirks. Here are the most common issues I see and how to fix them:
Windows Issues
Solution: Use the screenshot method instead - open PDF in Edge, screenshot with Win+Shift+S, then paste into Paint 3D
Solution: Use the 7-day free trial for one-time projects, or switch to online tools for regular use
Mac Issues
Solution: Make sure you've selected pages in the sidebar first - click on thumbnails to select them
Solution: Check that "Render PDF Pages as Images" is set to PNG format, not JPEG
Mobile Issues
Solution: Use online tools through your browser instead - they handle large files better
Solution: Save PDFs to your device's default file manager app first, then access from conversion apps
The Bottom Line for Every Platform
The best PDF to PNG conversion method isn't the same for everyone - it depends on your device, your needs, and your workflow. Mac users have Preview (lucky!), Windows users have options, and mobile users have surprisingly good apps.
What platform are you using? Which method worked best for you? I'm always curious to hear about real-world experiences with these tools.