How to sign a PDF on an iPhone

iOS has a good built-in way to sign a PDF: the Markup tool in Files, Mail and Safari stores a drawn signature and drops it onto the page. It is the right answer for most people; the browser tool adds typed and uploaded signatures and finer placement.

The built-in way on an iPhone or iPad: Files and Markup

  1. 01

    Open the PDF in the Files app (or tap the attachment in Mail) and tap the Markup pen-tip icon.

  2. 02

    Tap + at the bottom right and choose Signature.

  3. 03

    Draw your signature with a finger, or pick one you saved before. Tap Done.

  4. 04

    Drag the signature into place, pinch to resize, then tap Done to save it into the PDF.

Where it falls short

  • Drawing with a finger is coarse; there is no typed or uploaded signature option.
  • Saved signatures are stored on the device and are not synced everywhere.
  • Markup writes straight into the file, so keep a copy if you need the unsigned version.

Do it in the browser instead

The same Sign PDF tool as the main page, running in Safari on an iPhone or iPad. Nothing is installed and the file is processed on your device.

Processed in your browser. This file never leaves your device.

  1. 01

    Open the PDF

    Open the tool in Safari, tap Choose file, and pick the document from Files or Photos.

  2. 02

    Create a signature

    draw it, type it in a signature font, or upload a photo of one

  3. 03

    Download the result

    Tap Download. The signed PDF is saved to Files, ready to send back.

Files and Markup or the browser tool?

 Files and MarkupPDF Spree
CostFree, built inFree, no account
Text stays selectableYesYes
File leaves your deviceNoNo — processed in the browser
Works on other devicesNo, this platform onlyYes, any modern browser

Sign PDF on an iPhone or iPad: questions

The same task on other devices

More PDF tasks on an iPhone or iPad

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