Three ways to sign on iPhone
| Where | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Files app or Mail | A PDF someone sent you that you need to sign and return | Uses Markup; your signature is saved for reuse |
| Preview | Filling in a PDF form, with AutoFill, then signing it | On iPhones that include the Preview app |
| A browser tool in Safari | Typing, drawing or uploading a signature and placing it on every page | No app; the file is not uploaded |
The iPhone steps follow Apple’s guides to filling out forms and signing documents and signing PDF forms in Preview, checked on 6 October 2026. Button icons vary between iOS versions, so the names below are Apple’s.
Sign a PDF in the Files app or Mail
- Open the PDF. If you are asked, open it in the Files app and tap Save.
- Tap the Markup button to fill in any blank fields first.
- Tap the add button, then tap Add Signature.
- Sign your name with your finger and tap Done. Turn your iPhone sideways for more room.
- Drag the signature into place. Drag the blue dots to resize it.
- Tap the share button to export, print or send the signed document.
Sign a PDF form in Preview
- Open the Preview app and open the PDF form.
- Tap the form-filling button, then tap each field and type. AutoFill can suggest details from your contact card above the keyboard.
- To add a signature or a text box where the form has no field, tap the add button and choose it.
Save, add or remove signatures
The first signature you create is saved for next time. In the Markup toolbar, tap the add button, then Add or Remove Signature to create another, such as your initials, or to delete one. If a signature looks wrong while you are drawing it, tap Clear and sign again.
Sign in Safari without an app
Open Sign PDF in Safari, choose the PDF from Files, then type your name, draw your signature or upload a picture of it. Pick the position and size, and download the signed copy. The file is processed in the browser tab, not uploaded. In our automated tests on an emulated iPhone 14 using Safari’s engine, typed, drawn and uploaded signatures were all placed correctly.
Whichever method you use, the result is a picture of your signature on the page. That suits most everyday forms, but not documents that require a certificate-based digital signature. How to sign a PDF explains the difference.
Compress a PDF on iPhone
Apple’s guide to exporting and compressing in Preview lists the options:
- Open the PDF in Preview, tap the menu next to the file name, then tap Export and choose PDF.
- Turn on Optimize Images for Screen or Save Images as JPEG for a smaller file.
- Choose where to save it, rename it if you like, and tap Save.
For an upload form with a fixed limit, open a target-size compressor in Safari instead, such as compress PDF to 200 KB or 1 MB.
Combine PDFs on iPhone
In Preview, open the first PDF, tap the page count to show thumbnails, touch and hold a thumbnail, then tap Insert from File and choose the PDF to add. Touch and hold a thumbnail and drag it to change the order. In Safari, Merge PDF lets you add several files at once and see the whole order; how to merge PDFs on a phone covers that in detail.
Before you send it
- Open the signed copy and zoom in to check the signature landed on the right line and page.
- Check whether the recipient needs every page signed or only the last one.
- Keep the unsigned original in case you need to sign again.
Related: combine, compress and sign PDFs on a Mac and how to compress a PDF.
People also ask
Common questions
How do I sign a PDF on my iPhone for free?
Open the PDF in the Files app or Preview, tap the Markup or form button, choose Add Signature, sign with your finger and drag the signature into place. These apps come with iPhone, so there is nothing to buy.
Does iPhone save my signature?
Yes. After you create a signature, iPhone saves it for the next time you add one with Markup. You can save several, such as your full name and your initials, and delete ones you no longer need.
Is a signature added on iPhone legally binding?
It adds an image of your signature, which is accepted for many everyday forms. Some contracts require a certificate-based digital signature or a specific e-signature service, so check what the recipient accepts.
How do I compress a PDF on iPhone?
In Preview, export the PDF and turn on Optimize Images for Screen or Save Images as JPEG. For a specific size limit, use a target-size compressor in Safari.
Can I combine PDFs on iPhone?
Yes. In Preview, open a PDF, show the page thumbnails, touch and hold one, then tap Insert from File and choose the other PDF. A browser merge tool also works in Safari.
Do browser PDF tools work on iPhone?
Yes. FreePDFKit’s sign, merge and compress tools pass our automated tests on an emulated iPhone using Safari’s engine. Very large files can run out of memory on a phone.