1. Save the file to Files
From Mail, Messages or a cloud client, save the .pub into Files or iCloud Drive and let it download fully.
Guide · PUB ON IOS
Best PUB file viewer for iPhone and iPad
PubHarbor previews compatible .pub publications on iPhone and iPad with page thumbnails, 25% to 400% zoom and text search, converting locally with no account.
2. Open the bundled example first
Riverside Notes lets you confirm the viewer works before spending one of the three free document slots.
3. Read the publication
Browse pages as thumbnails, zoom from 25% to 400%, and search recognised text. iPad supports multiple document windows.
4. Export what you need
With Pro, export a searchable PDF, PNG or JPEG pages at 144 DPI, or a ZIP of the embedded raster assets.
What makes this workable on a phone
- Native, offline conversion means no upload step and no waiting on a server.
- A security-scoped recent-document library keeps files you have opened available without copying them everywhere.
- Multiple document windows on iPad let you compare two publications side by side.
- Compatibility warnings are shown in the app rather than discovered later in an export.
Preparing for October 2026? Follow the Publisher retirement walkthrough with an original PUB and actual PDF example.
Compare the conversion before handing it over
Ask the sender for a reference PDF when possible. Check page count, text overflow, substituted fonts, linked pictures and embedded-object warnings. Review a dense page as well as the cover; an attractive first page does not establish complete conversion.
If important content is missing, keep the PUB source and request a PDF from the authoring environment. Renaming .pub to .pdf does not convert it.
Download the publication review checklist
Honest limits
Read this before you rely on an export. PubHarbor reports what it could not convert rather than presenting a partial result as complete.
- iOS or iPadOS 17 or later is required.
- PubHarbor is a viewer and archive converter, not a Publisher editor.
- Results vary with Publisher generation, fonts, linked media and embedded objects.
- Batch folder conversion and Quick Look previews are Mac features.
Questions
Can iPhone open .pub files natively?
No. iOS has no Publisher decoder, so the file shows as a generic document until an app with a .pub parser opens it.
Is there a free way to try it?
Yes. The bundled example is unlimited, and the free preview opens up to three distinct imported documents.
Does it need a connection?
No. Conversion is native and offline. There is no account and no document upload.
Can I search the text of a publication?
Yes. Recognised text can be searched inside the viewer and stays searchable in an exported PDF.