How to Download PDF from Link (4 Easy Methods)

Ever clicked a PDF link only to hit a "Download Restricted" wall? Whether it’s a Google Drive file, a webpage, or a hidden document, this guide reveals 4 foolproof ways to download PDFs from any link—no paid tools required.

You’ll learn how to:
- Grab PDFs from restricted Google Drive links (even "view-only" files).
- Save webpages as PDFs with one click.
- Bypass paywalls or embedded viewers using browser tricks.

For polishing downloaded PDFs, tools like PDF Agile can help compress, edit, or merge files.

Need to Save a PDF from a Link? Here’s How!

Method 1: Download PDF from Link Using an HTML-to-PDF Converter

An HTML to PDF converter is required if you wish to save a URL in PDF format. Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor is one such tool. Best for: Saving webpages/articles as editable PDFs

Why Use This Method?

• Preserves webpage layout (images, text formatting).
• Allows post-download editing (unlike browser prints).
• Works for dynamic content (JavaScript-rendered pages).

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get Converter: Download and install an HTML-to-PDF converter.

2. Convert URL: Open the software, choose "From HTML," paste the webpage link, and click "Create" or “Convert.”

3. Edit & Save: Edit the PDF if needed (crop, annotate, compress), then save it.

Method 2: Download the PDF from the Link Using Online Converters

Best for: Quick conversions without software installation.  
Online URLs to PDF converters allow you to download a PDF from a link. One such tool is web2pdfconvert.com, which offers Web-to-PDF, Web to Image, HTML to PDF, and HTML to Image conversion. To download a PDF with a URL, use their free Web to PDF tool or opt for their paid plan for unlimited usage.

Why Use This Method?

• No downloads required – Works directly in your browser.
• Free tier available – Suitable for occasional use.
• Customizable output – Control page layout before conversion.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Converter: Open a website that converts URLs to PDF.

2. Paste Link: Enter the webpage address you want to save as a PDF.

3. Adjust (Optional): Some sites let you change page settings or remove elements.

4. Convert & Download: Click "Convert" and then "Download" the PDF to your computer.

Method 3: Download PDF from Link Directly in Browsers

Best for: Quick saves of openly accessible PDF links.

While downloading a file from a PDF link is often straightforward, this process might be new to some. Therefore, this article provides detailed steps on how to download PDFs through links. The following steps serve as a guide.

Why Use This Method?

• Zero extra tools – Uses your browser’s native functionality.
• Universal – Works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari.
• Instant – Bypasses intermediate conversion steps.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Click the link. The PDF will either open in your browser or start downloading automatically.

2. If it opens in your browser: Look for a download button (usually an arrow pointing down) and click it. Or, you can right-click on the PDF and choose "Save as...".

3. If it starts downloading: Your browser will usually show you where it's saving the file.

Method 4: Download the PDF from Google Drive Link (Even When "View-Only")

Best for: Bypassing download restrictions on shared Drive files.

While you can view files (PDF, video, Google Sheets, etc.) from Google Drive links, downloading may be restricted if the sender disabled it. A disabled download button and print options indicate this. However, Coding Cat's JavaScript trick can download these view-only PDFs by converting pages to JPGs (with potential text preservation, tested in Opera). Zoom out to view the entire document if needed before running the script. Download steps follow.

Method A: For Files with Download Permissions

1. Open the Google Drive link.

2. Check for the download icon (⤓) in the top toolbar.

3. If visible: Click it → Save the PDF directly.

Method B: For "View-Only" Files (JavaScript Workaround)

Tested on Opera/Chrome

1. Open the PDF in Google Docs Viewer: Replace /view?usp=sharing with /export?format=pdf in the URL. Example:

Original: https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/view?usp=sharing  
Modified: https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/export?format=pdf  

2. Press Enter → Auto-downloads as PDF.

3. Alternative Developer Tools Method: Open the PDF in Chrome → Press F12 (Dev Tools). Go to the Console tab → Paste these codes: 

javascript
Copy
window.open(document.querySelector('embed').src.replace('/view', '/export?format=pdf'));  

4. Press Enter → The PDF downloads.

Final Thoughts: Download & Master Your PDFs

Whether you're saving reports, articles, or restricted files, these 4 methods have you covered. But the journey doesn’t end at download— PDF Agile helps you:

• Edit downloaded PDFs (text, images, pages)  
• Compress large files for easy sharing  
• Secure sensitive docs with passwords  
• OCR scanned PDFs into searchable text

Downloading PDFs from links shouldn’t feel like hacking the Pentagon. Here’s how to pick the right tool for the job: