How to Sign a PDF on iPhone (2026 Guide)

Sign a PDF on iPhone in Under a Minute

Your iPhone is one of the most capable PDF signing devices you own. The touchscreen lets you draw a signature that looks natural, and with the right tool, you can go from receiving a document to sending back a signed copy in under sixty seconds.

This guide covers two proven methods: using SigPDF in Safari (no app download required) and using Apple's built-in Markup tool. We will walk through each step by step and help you decide which one fits your situation.

Method 1: SigPDF in Safari (Recommended)

This is the fastest way to sign a PDF on your iPhone. SigPDF is a browser-based signing tool that runs entirely in Safari. You do not need to download an app, create an account, or give any permissions. Your PDF never leaves your device.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Safari on your iPhone and go to sigpdf.com
2. Tap the upload area to select your PDF. You can choose from Files, iCloud Drive, recent downloads, or any connected cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox
3. Your PDF loads in the viewer. Scroll to find the page where your signature is needed
4. Tap "Add Signature" and choose how you want to create your signature:
   • Draw — use your finger to sign directly on the screen. This produces the most natural result on a touchscreen
   • Type — enter your name and pick from several handwriting-style fonts. This is the fastest option and always looks clean
   • Upload — select a saved image of your signature from your photo library
5. Position your signature on the document. Tap where it should go, then drag to adjust. Pinch to resize until it fits the signature line
6. Add extra details if the form requires them. Use "Add Text" for your printed name, job title, or date
7. Tap "Confirm & Download" to save the signed PDF to your iPhone. From there you can email it, AirDrop it, or share it through any app

Why SigPDF Works Best on iPhone

No app download needed. You do not have to find, install, and authorize yet another app. Safari handles everything. This also means SigPDF uses zero storage on your phone.

Complete privacy. Your PDF is processed entirely inside Safari on your iPhone. The file is never uploaded to any server. This matters when you are signing contracts, financial documents, or anything with personal information.

Multiple signature types. Unlike Apple's Markup tool, SigPDF offers typed signatures and image uploads in addition to drawn signatures. If your finger-drawn signature looks shaky on a phone screen, the typed option gives you a clean, professional alternative.

Works with any PDF source. Whether the PDF came from an email attachment, a download link, a messaging app, or cloud storage, you can upload it to SigPDF and sign it.

Method 2: Apple Markup (Built Into iOS)

Every iPhone has a built-in Markup tool that can add signatures to PDFs. It is accessible from Mail, Files, Messages, and any app that supports Quick Look previews.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the PDF on your iPhone. You can tap a PDF attachment in Mail, open one in the Files app, or preview one in Messages
2. Tap the Markup icon — it looks like a pen tip inside a circle, usually in the top-right corner of the preview
3. Tap the "+" button in the Markup toolbar at the bottom of the screen
4. Select "Signature" from the menu that appears
5. Draw your signature using your finger. If you have previously saved a signature, you can select it from the list instead of drawing a new one. Tap "Done" when you are satisfied
6. Position the signature on the document. Drag it to the correct spot and use the corner handles to resize it
7. Tap "Done" to save the signed PDF

What Markup Does Well

• It is already on your iPhone with no setup required
• Your saved signatures sync across all Apple devices through iCloud
• It works completely offline
• Integration with Mail makes it easy to sign and reply in one flow

Where Markup Falls Short

• No typed signatures. You can only draw. On a small iPhone screen, drawing a clean signature with your finger is difficult, especially for signatures with fine detail
• No text fields or date stamps. If the form asks for your printed name, date, or other typed information alongside your signature, you cannot add those through Markup
• Limited positioning control. On smaller iPhone screens (iPhone SE, iPhone mini models), precisely placing and resizing a signature can be frustrating
• Apple-only. If you also use a Windows computer or Android tablet, your Markup signatures do not follow you to those devices

SigPDF vs. Apple Markup: Side-by-Side Comparison

| Feature | SigPDF (Safari) | Apple Markup | |---|---|---| | App download required | No | No (built-in) | | Account required | No | No | | Drawn signatures | Yes | Yes | | Typed signatures | Yes | No | | Image upload signatures | Yes | No | | Add text and dates | Yes | No | | Works offline | Needs initial page load | Yes | | Privacy (local processing) | Yes | Yes | | Signature saved for reuse | No (by design) | Yes (iCloud sync) | | Works on non-Apple devices | Yes | No |

When to Use SigPDF

• You need to fill in text fields, dates, or other information alongside your signature
• You prefer a typed signature for a cleaner look
• You want privacy with no cloud storage of your signature
• You work across iPhone, Android, and desktop devices

When to Use Markup

• You need to sign a PDF attachment in Mail and reply immediately
• You are offline with no internet connection
• You only need a quick drawn signature with nothing else added
• You prefer having your signature saved for instant reuse

Tips for Better iPhone Signatures

Hold Your iPhone in Landscape Mode

Turn your phone sideways when drawing your signature. The wider screen gives your signature room to breathe. Most signatures are wider than they are tall, so landscape orientation matches the natural shape.

Use the Pad of Your Finger

Press gently with the fleshy part of your fingertip, not your nail. The iPhone's capacitive screen registers the pad of your finger more accurately. Slow, deliberate strokes produce smoother lines than rushed ones.

Consider a Typed Signature

There is no legal requirement for your electronic signature to look like your handwritten one. A typed signature in a script font is perfectly valid and often looks more professional than a finger-drawn attempt on a small screen. SigPDF offers several font options that produce natural-looking results.

Zoom In Before Placing

Pinch to zoom into the signature area of the document before positioning your signature. This helps you place it precisely on the line rather than guessing at the right spot on a full-page view.

Check Before Sending

Open the downloaded PDF and scroll through it to confirm the signature is properly positioned, correctly sized, and clearly visible. This takes ten seconds and prevents having to re-sign and re-send.

Is an iPhone PDF Signature Legally Valid?

Yes. An electronic signature created on your iPhone is legally binding under the ESIGN Act (United States), eIDAS (European Union), the Electronic Communications Act (United Kingdom), and equivalent legislation in most countries. The device you use to create the signature does not affect its legal standing. What matters is the intent to sign and the association of the signature with the document.

For a deeper look at e-signature law, see our guide on whether electronic signatures are legally binding.

Sign Your PDF on iPhone Now

Open SigPDF in Safari on your iPhone and sign your document in under a minute. Draw with your finger for a natural signature or type your name for a clean result — no app download, no account, no files leaving your device.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign a PDF on iPhone without downloading an app?

Yes. SigPDF runs entirely in Safari, so there is nothing to install. Open the website, upload your PDF, add your signature, and download the signed version. Apple's Markup tool is also built into iOS and requires no download.

How do I sign a PDF attachment from an email on iPhone?

The quickest way is to save the attachment to your Files app, then open sigpdf.com in Safari and upload it. Alternatively, you can tap the attachment in Mail, use the Markup icon to add a signature, and then share the signed version. SigPDF gives you more options (typed signatures, text fields) while Markup is faster for a simple drawn signature.

Does my iPhone signature look professional enough for business documents?

If you use a typed signature through SigPDF, it will look clean and professional every time. If you prefer a drawn signature, using landscape mode and signing slowly with your fingertip produces good results. For the highest quality drawn signatures on a mobile device, consider an iPad with Apple Pencil — see our iPad signing guide.

Can I sign multiple pages of a PDF on my iPhone?

Yes. With SigPDF, you can scroll through a multi-page PDF and add signatures, text, or dates to any page. Apple Markup also allows you to navigate between pages and add annotations to each one, though it is more limited in what you can add.