iCloud Drive keeps your PDFs on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The processing layer is the missing piece — Apple's built-in tools handle some PDF work but not all. Flint fills the gap.
Here's the workflow.
iCloud Drive structure
`/iCloud Drive/Archive/<year>/<category>/`, `/iCloud Drive/Working/<project>/`, `/iCloud Drive/Inbox/PDFs/`. Mirror your local structure. iCloud syncs across all your Apple devices automatically.
For cross-platform team work, iCloud is less ideal (Windows access is limited) — but for solo Apple users, it's the smoothest sync.
Mac for processing, phone for viewing
Process PDFs on the Mac via Flint in any browser. The Mac has the keyboard and the screen for real work. iPhone and iPad are for viewing, signing on the go, and quick captures.
The iPhone's scan-to-PDF feature (Notes app or Files) is excellent — feed scanned documents into the iCloud inbox folder and process on the Mac later.
Sign on iPad with Apple Pencil if you want
iPad signing with Apple Pencil gives the most authentic-looking signature. Open the PDF in the iPad's Files app, mark up, save back to iCloud. For most professional contexts, Flint's signing on the Mac is faster — but the Pencil option is there if you want it.
For flattening after Pencil signing, run the PDF through Flint to ensure the signature is locked.
Share via iCloud links
Right-click a file in Finder → Share → Copy iCloud Link. The recipient gets a link, no attachment, no size limit issues. They can view in browser without an Apple ID.
For sensitive sharing, password-protect the PDF before sharing the link.
FAQ
Is iCloud Drive reliable for important PDFs?
Yes for personal use, with the usual caveat: have a second backup. iCloud doesn't have the same uptime guarantees as enterprise cloud storage but is solid for most users.
What about iCloud's built-in PDF tools (Preview)?
Preview on macOS is good for basic edits, annotations, and signature placement. For merge, compress, redact, and serious editing, browser tools are more capable.
How does iCloud handle large archive folders?
Optimize Storage keeps older files cloud-only on devices with limited space. Useful for years-deep archives without filling up your Mac.
Can I share iCloud files with non-Apple users?
Yes via the share link, which opens in any browser. No Apple ID required to view.
iCloud syncs your PDFs everywhere; Flint processes them in the browser. The clean pairing for Apple ecosystem users. Open your next iCloud PDF in Flint.