Your iPhone has built-in tools to sign PDF documents without downloading any additional app. Using Markup mode, you can draw a handwritten signature, add typed text, or place a saved signature anywhere on a PDF. This guide covers signing through the Files app, Safari, and the Mail app, along with tips for saving and managing your signature.
1. Sign a PDF Using the Files App (Recommended)
- Open the Files app and locate the PDF you want to sign.
- Tap the PDF to open it in preview.
- Tap the Markup button (pencil tip icon ✏️) in the top-right corner to enter Markup mode.
- Tap the + button in the Markup toolbar.
- Select Signature from the menu.
- First time only: draw your signature with your finger on the screen, then tap Done to save it.
- For saved signatures: tap the signature from the list to insert it directly into the document.
- Drag the signature to the correct position and drag the corner handles to resize it.
- Tap Done in the top-right corner to save the changes.
2. Tips for Drawing a Good Signature
- Use an Apple Pencil if available — it produces the most natural, pen-on-paper feel.
- When using your finger, slow down and make larger strokes for better legibility.
- Tap Clear to erase and redraw until you are satisfied with the result.
- You can save multiple signatures — for example, one in your native language and one in English — and choose between them each time.
3. Sign a PDF Opened in Safari
- Open a PDF link in Safari; it previews directly in the browser.
- Tap the Share button (box with an arrow) in the top-right.
- Select Markup from the share sheet.
- Follow the same steps as the Files app to insert your signature.
- Tap Done, then choose Save to Files to save the signed PDF locally.
4. Sign a PDF Attachment in the Mail App
If you receive a PDF via email, you can sign it without leaving the Mail app:
- Open the email in the Mail app and tap the PDF attachment.
- Tap the Markup and Reply button (pencil and box icon) in the lower-right corner.
- The full-screen Markup interface opens. Insert your signature, add text, or draw annotations as needed.
- Tap Done. Mail automatically creates a reply email with the signed PDF attached.
- Review the reply and tap Send, or save it as a draft.
5. Add Text to Fill PDF Form Fields
Markup mode also lets you type text on top of any PDF area:
- In Markup mode, tap + → Text.
- A text box appears on the document. Double-tap it to type your content.
- Adjust the text box position, font size, and color using the toolbar controls.
- This method works for non-interactive PDFs where form fields are not tappable.
Note: If the PDF is an interactive form (with fillable fields), simply tap each field to type directly — no Markup mode needed.
6. Save the Signed PDF
- Edited via Files app: Tapping Done saves changes directly to the original PDF (overwriting it). Make a copy of the original first if you want to keep an unsigned version.
- Save as a new file: After tapping Done, tap Share → Save to Files and choose a different filename or folder.
- Share directly: From the share sheet after signing, send via AirDrop, Mail, or Messages without saving locally.
7. Manage Your Saved Signatures
- Enter any Markup mode → tap + → Signature.
- Tap Add or Remove Signature.
- Delete old signatures or create multiple ones for different contexts.
8. Troubleshooting
- Markup button is grayed out: The PDF may be password-protected or have editing restrictions. You will need a desktop PDF tool or to contact the sender to unlock it.
- Signature drifts after placement: Long-press and drag it in Markup mode, or use two fingers to resize before repositioning.
- Signature looks blurry: Draw the signature as large as possible, then scale it down after insertion for better resolution.
iPhone’s built-in Markup tools handle everyday PDF signing with zero cost and no setup required. For further PDF tasks — compressing, merging, or converting — use the free online tool below.
Do it in your browser — the file never leaves your device: PDF Tools
