If you get a PDF or another type of digital document that needs your signature, you can quickly sign it with your phone. Regardless of whether you use an
iPhone
or an
Android phone
, both include built-in options for adding a quick signature to a document, saving a new copy and sending it off.

These tools suffice for quick tasks, but they aren’t ideal for complex documents needing numerous signatures and extensive text entry. For such cases, consider using more sophisticated software like DocuSign or Microsoft 365, which are better suited for these needs. If you’re dealing with important forms—like leasing an apartment—it’s advisable to use a larger device, such as a desktop computer or tablet.

Many documents requiring your signature tend to be quite brief and straightforward. If you encounter such a document, both Apple’s Markup tool and the Google Drive application offer easy methods for completing and sending these papers swiftly.

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Sign in using your Google Drive account on an Android device or iPhone.

The
Google Drive app
— available on all Android devices and can also be downloaded for iPhones — comes with annotation features that simplify the process of signing documents.

When you’re signing a document with Google Drive on an Android device, start by opening the PDF file you wish to sign.

When opened, depending on the file, you’ll either get an

Edit

Option indicated with a pencil or an

Annotate

Option indicated by a pen with wavy lines. If you have the

Edit

you have the option to subsequently choose

Form Filling

To add your further details. If you possess solely the

Annotate

Optionally, you can tap it to access a pen tool, which allows you to quickly sign your document.

Nevertheless, Google Drive does not always recognize PDFs that require the Form Filling feature, and if you wish to add plain text by editing the document, you might prefer using a more advanced alternative service. Should the aforementioned steps achieve your desired outcome with the document, you can subsequently tap

Save

In the upper right corner, you can save your modifications. Should you wish to create an independent duplicate incorporating these adjustments, simply tap the option.

More

button with the three vertical dots, then tap

Save as

.

The Google Drive app on iPhones offers limited versatility. Once you open a PDF, you will find an option labeled “Fill out form” at the bottom; this indicates whether Google Drive supports filling out forms within the file. If not, there isn’t an alternative annotation feature available. Instead, Apple provides its native tool for signing documents as an alternative solution.

Use Apple’s Markup tool on your iPhone to sign documents.

The Markup feature provided by Apple enables you to annotate documents and pictures using text, graphics, emoticons, and signatures. This utility can be accessed throughout iOS; you may use it immediately when looking at a PDF or via the Share menu offered by Apple.

First, you should open the PDF file that needs signing—whether this document comes as an email attachment or was downloaded from a website. The interface for viewing and editing may vary based on which application you’re using; some apps automatically display the options needed for adding your signature.

Markup

Tool located at the lower-right corner of the screen, indicated by a pen tip inside a circle. If not present, tap the

Share

The icon depicted as a square containing an upward-pointing arrow appears; when you open the popup menu, scroll upwards to locate and then tap it.

Markup

.

Once Markup is activated, you will initially have the choice to draw directly on the document using various pen tools; however, do not use these for signing the document. Rather, tap the

Signature icon

indicated by a rectangle drawn with a pencil, and this option should typically appear in the first row of the Markup menu. Activating this will open up additional options.

+

Icon at the lower right corner of the screen, and upon tapping it, you will then choose.

Add Text Form Box

or

Add Signature

The first option is suitable for inputting printed text via typing, whereas the second one is intended for signing through handwritten inputs.

When you choose to include a text box, you will have the option to relocate it by dragging and adjust its size according to your preference. Afterward, clicking inside the text box will activate the keyboard so you can input your text. Once done, simply touch an area beyond the text box to dismiss the keyboard followed by tapping again.

Done

In the upper right corner, you can save your modifications.

When you’re ready to add a signature, start by utilizing the popup menu to write your name with your fingertip. This signature will be stored and available for subsequent documents. Once this signature is configured, simply tap.

Done

To transfer it into a text box within the document. Afterward, you can utilize your finger for dragging, dropping, and resizing as necessary.

Regardless of whether you choose the text box option or the signature option, you have the ability to make further modifications to each individual box by selecting the corresponding icon next to it; these icons are represented by three dots.

…

This popup will allow you to Cut, Copy, Duplicate, or Delete the box as required.

Once you have completed your modifications, you can choose

Done

To preserve your modifications or utilize the Share icon to dispatch the updated document to another application such as your email or cloud storage.

Initially released on May 2, 2025 at 3:24 PM Pacific Time.