Click the links below to open the support pages for major camera manufacturers. Using their search tools you can find and download your camera manual to your computer. If you'd like to add your camera manual to your phone like an "app" scroll down for instructions!
When you are out on location and suddenly can't remember how to change shutter speed, you can have your manual at your fingertips! Download and save your camera manual on your phone like an "app."
Instructions for Apple/iOS To save your camera manual to your phone as an "app" you must first navigate to this page in your phone's browser. Then open the manufacturer's site and using their tools find your camera manual for download. When the PDF opens in the viewer for previewing, look at the bottom of the screen for the box/arrow symbol. This opens a window of options. Scroll down and select "Add to Home Screen." Type in a name for it. Click "Add" in the top right. It will now appear as an "app icon" on your phone and you can move it and place it where you want to keep it.
Instructions for Android/Google To save your camera manual to your phone as an "app" you must first navigate to this page in your phone's browser. Save the file to Google Drive. Open the file in the Drive app on your Android phone. Tap "Add to Home Screen" to create a file shortcut. Check the "Available Offline" option so the file will work even when you are outside coverage areas!
Stuck? Can't Find Your Model? It Isn't Working? If you find that you cannot get a file to open or unzipped -- there are other uploads of most camera manuals in PDF. Just do a Google search for your camera model and the terms "user manual pdf" to find one that hopefully will work. For example here is one from a website I found for my old 300D which isn't listed on Canon's website because it was a UK version of the Rebel: http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/4/0900000274/01/EOSDR300DIM-EN.PDF
In some cases the files may be zipped and you may be able to send them to Google Drive or other locations like Dropbox to unzip first.
I have tested this process on iPhone and it does work (screenshots below). I do not have an Android phone but I have been assured this works by others. If you find it is not working please let me know so I can update the directions! Email me at [email protected]