How to sign a PDF on your iPhone
Quick answer
Open the PDF in the Files app, tap the Markup button (a pen tip), tap +, then Add Signature. Or open ShushPDF Sign PDF in Safari, choose the PDF, tap Sign and draw with your finger.
Someone emailed you a form, a lease or an offer letter and needs it signed today. You do not need a printer, a scanner or a paid app. Your iPhone can do it in under a minute.
Way 1: The built-in Markup tool
- Save the PDF to your phone. In Mail or WhatsApp, open the attachment, tap the Share button and choose Save to Files.
- Open the Files app and tap the PDF.
- Tap the Markup button. It looks like the tip of a pen.
- Tap + and choose Add Signature. Sign with your finger and tap Done.
- Drag the signature into place and pinch its corners to resize it. Tap Done to save.
This works well for a quick signature. It is harder when the form also needs typing into boxes, ticks and a date, because Markup is mainly a drawing tool.
Way 2: ShushPDF in Safari (also fills in the form)
- Open shushpdf.com/sign-pdf in Safari.
- Tap Choose PDF to sign and pick the file from Files, iCloud Drive or your downloads.
- Tap Sign. Draw your signature, type your name in a handwriting style, or upload a photo of your signature on paper.
- Drag it into place. Need more? Use Text to type into the form, Tick for checkboxes and Date for today's date.
- Tap Download, or Share to send it straight back by email or WhatsApp.
The file is opened by Safari on your iPhone. It is never uploaded, so nobody else can see your document. You can even switch on airplane mode after the page loads and it still works.
Tips for a signature that looks right
- Turn your phone sideways while you draw. The bigger space makes a smoother signature.
- Sign slowly. A slow finger gives a neater line than a quick swipe.
- Keep it in proportion. A real signature is usually about as tall as two lines of text.
- Save it for next time. ShushPDF can remember your signature on your phone only, so the next document takes seconds.
Is a signature like this legally valid?
In most countries, including the US, the UK, the EU and India, a simple electronic signature is valid for everyday documents like forms, rental agreements and job offers. Some documents, such as wills or certain government filings, need a witnessed or certified signature. If you are unsure, ask whoever sent you the document.