How to Sign a PDF on iPhone

Gone are the days when you had to print a document to sign it and scan it before sending. Now you can use your iPhone to fill out and sign a PDF for free using the Markup tool available on all iOS devices. This tutorial shows you multiple ways to sign a PDF on iPhone without installing an extra app.

Tip: add your signature to a Word document without a third-party app.

Using the Files App

If the PDF document is available in the Files app on your iPhone, follow these steps to add a signature to the PDF:

1. Launch the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Open the PDF file to which you want to add your signature.
3. Tap on the “Markup” (pencil) icon at the bottom to open the iPhone markup editor.

4. Tap on the “Add” (+) icon at the bottom right and select “Signature” from the menu.

5. Draw your signature using your finger. (If you mess up, use the “Clear” button to start from scratch.) When satisfied with the signature, tap on the “Done” button in the top-right corner.

6. The signature will be added to your PDF document. Tap on the signature and drag it to where you want it to appear in the document.

7. You can resize the signature by dragging its corners in or out.
8. After the signature is in place, tap on the “Done” button at the top to save the existing PDF with your signature in the Files app.

Note: the signature will be added to the original PDF file only.

Using Safari

If you need to sign a PDF document in Safari on your iPhone, use the steps below.

1. Open the PDF file in the Safari browser.
2. Tap on the “Share” icon in the toolbar at the bottom to open the Share sheet.
3. Scroll down the Share sheet and tap on “Markup.”

4. Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom and select “Signature” from the menu.

5. Draw the signature on the screen and tap on the “Done” button.

6. The signature will show on the PDF. Move it by dragging it to the desired place or resize it by dragging any of the four corners in or out.
7. Tap on “Done” and select “Save File To.”

8. Choose the location where you want to save the signed PDF file, then hit the “Save” button. Save it to iCloud or on your iPhone.

The PDF file can be accessed via the Files app.

From Apple Mail

Follow these steps to sign a PDF document from the Mail app on your iPhone:

1. In the Apple Mail app, open the email containing the PDF file you want to e-sign.
2. Tap on the PDF preview that shows in the email.
3. When the PDF shows on a new screen, tap on the “Markup” icon to open the editor.

4. Tap on the “+” icon and select “Signature.”

5. Draw the signature using your finger and press “Done.”

6. Reposition the signature by dragging it. To resize it, hold one of the corners and drag it in our out.
7. Tap on “Done.”
8. You will be greeted by several options to export the signed PDF: send the signed PDF as a reply, create a new email with the PDF attached, save it to the Files app, or discard your changes. Tap on the desired option.

Tip: learn how to compress PDF files on mobile and PC.

From the Gmail App

If you received the PDF file in the Gmail app, follow these steps to sign a PDF in the iPhone Gmail app:

1. Launch the Gmail app on your iPhone and open the email with the PDF.
2. Tap on the PDF to preview it.

3. Tap on the “Share” icon at the top and select “Markup.”

4. Press the “+” icon at the bottom and choose “Signature” from the pop-up menu.

5. Draw the signature on the screen and press “Done.”

6. Move the signature by dragging it in place; resize it by holding and dragging the corners.
7. Finally, tap on “Done” and select “Save File To” from the menu.

8. Save the signed PDF to your iPhone.
9. Attach the PDF to your email reply if need be.

You can add a signature to Google Docs too!

Using Apple Notes

To sign a PDF on iPhone using the Notes app, follow these steps:

1. Open the note having the PDF document in the Apple Notes app.
2. Tap on the PDF to view it in full-screen mode.
3. Tap on the “Share” icon and select “Markup.”

4. Press the “+” icon and select “Signature.”

5. Draw the signature that you want to add to your PDF and hit “Done.”

6. Resize or reposition the signature as required.
7. Tap on “Done” to save the signed PDF.

Tip: if you want to share the signed PDF, tap on the “Share” icon when the PDF is in full-screen mode and choose an app to export it.

Manage Multiple Signatures in iPhone Markup Editor

The markup editor lets you save more than one signature.

Follow these steps to manage signatures and add a new one to your PDF document:

1. Use any of the above apps to open the PDF document in the markup editor.
2. Tap on the “+” icon in the bottom toolbar and select “Signature” from the context menu.

3. If you have earlier created at least one other signature, it will show up here. Tap on the desired signature to add it to the document.

4. If you want to create a new signature or remove an existing signature, tap on the “Add or Remove Signature” button.

5. To remove a signature, tap on the red “–” (Remove) icon next to the signature and press the “Done” button.

6. To create a new signature, tap on the “+” sign and draw your signature.

Tip: add PDF shortcuts to your phone’s home screen to keep your favorite documents handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign a PDF directly in WhatsApp on my iPhone?

Yes! Open the WhatsApp chat with your PDF file, tap on the PDF file to preview it, then press the Markup icon to open the markup editor. Next, tap on the “+” icon and select “Signature.” Once you draw your signature or select an existing one, save the PDF document to your iPhone, then attach it to the WhatsApp chat without leaving the app.

How can I open the markup editor if the Markup button is missing in the PDF?

If you don’t see the markup tool in your PDF document, tap on the “Share” icon and select “Markup” from the Share sheet.

All screenshots and images by Mehvish Mushtaq.