While using a macOS or Windows computer is one way to sign PDF documents electronically, if you need to do it more often—and while you’re on the go—you’d want to do it on a mobile device. So in this guide, we’ll demonstrate the different ways to sign PDF documents on Android and iOS/iPadOS devices.
How to Electronically Sign PDF Documents on iPhone or iPad
One of the easiest ways to sign a PDF document on an iPhone or iPad is to use the Files app. Files is Apple’s default file management app for devices running iOS and iPadOS that lets you access all your files from local and cloud storage services all in one place. Since it comes pre-installed on iOS and iPadOS, you can follow the steps below right away to sign your PDF documents on your iPad or iPhone electronically: As soon as you do that, Files will save your signature and add it to your document. You can then click and drag it to move it to the signature field on the form or PDF. Similarly, you can also resize the signature by dragging the box around it outward or inward. Besides, you have the option to change the signature color as well. For this, click on the color picker icon and select a color from the color palette. Finally, when you’re satisfied with your signature, hit Done on the top-left to save the signed PDF document.
Other iPhone and iPad Apps to Sign PDF Documents
DocuSign Signeasy Adobe Fill & Sign Adobe Acrobat Reader
How to Sign a PDF Document on Android
Unlike an iPhone or iPad, the default file manager that comes pre-installed with most Android skins doesn’t offer a built-in PDF signing feature. And therefore, if you need to sign a PDF form or document on your Android phone or tablet, you need to use a third-party PDF editor. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, which is a free app—for the most part—that lets you sign PDFs for free. So head over to the link below to download Adobe Reader on your Android from the Play Store. Download: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC With the app installed on your phone or tablet, use the steps below to sign your PDF documents using the Acrobat Acrobat Reader: Adobe Reader will now save your signature/initials and ask you to tap on an area in the document to add them. With your signature added, you can then move it around or use the arrow to increase or decrease its size.
When you’re happy with your signature, tap the tick button on the top-left to save the document.
Other Android Apps to Sign PDF Documents
Adobe Fille & Sign PDFelement DocuSign signNow
Sign PDF Online for Free – Non-app Solutions
Besides using dedicated PDF eSign apps on your iPhone or Android phones, you can also use free (or paid) online PDF tools for signing PDFs electronically. Below are some of the best online PDF tools to sign a PDF:
PDF Filler Smallpdf SignNow Adobe Acrobat Online
One of the biggest advantages of these tools is that they work irrespective of your mobile device and its operating system, and you don’t need to install them on your machine to use them. While this adds convenience, you must be wary of using these tools as using them requires you to upload your PDF. So if it’s some sensitive piece of document that you want to sign, you must avoid using online tools and stick to the offline ones instead.
Easily Sign PDF Documents on the Go
If your work involves working with lots of PDF documents in a day, knowing how to sign them from anywhere can prove to be really helpful. And using this guide, you should be able to easily sign PDFs electronically while you’re on the go, no matter what mobile device you’re using. Although you’ll also find a bunch of other PDF editing apps on the App Store and Play Store, we feel the apps we’ve mentioned in this guide should suffice most of your document signing requirements. In general, as long as the electronic signature adheres to the requirements of regulations established by the country, it has the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. One thing to note with electronic signature, however, is that it’s not to be confused with digital signatures, which are a type of cryptographic mechanism used to verify the authenticity and integrity of messages, documents, and other online entities. Of course, there are other PDF editing tools—including online PDF signing tools—to sign PDFs too that you can use to sign a PDF. A few such PDF tools include:
Adobe Fille & Sign PDFelement Smallpdf SignNow Adobe Acrobat Online
Digital Signature, on the other hand, is a secure signature that relies on public key infrastructure and works with Electronic Signatures. In other words, it is an electronic fingerprint that encrypts and identifies an individual. Digital signatures are preferable to electronic signatures because they are more secure and authentic.
