Skip to content
AdawatAdawat
العربية
Adawat

How to Sign a PDF on Your Phone

4 min read

To sign a PDF on your phone, open the Sign PDF tool, add the file, draw your signature with your finger, drag it to the signature line and tap “Sign and download”. No printer, scanner or app is needed.

The tool adds a visual electronic signature, like signing on paper. It is fine for everyday approvals and agreements between people who accept that, but it is not a certified digital signature, which some documents legally require.

Steps

You need the PDF on your phone, for example in your Downloads or Files app, and a few minutes. A stylus helps but a finger works well.

  1. 1

    Open Sign PDF and add your file

    Go to Sign PDF and tap the drop area. Choose the PDF from your phone. Its pages appear in the editor.

  2. 2

    Create your signature

    Tap “Create or change signature”. On the Draw tab, sign with your finger or a stylus. Choose the ink color and thickness, undo a stroke if you slip, then tap Use. You can also type your name in a handwriting font, or upload a photo of a signature written on white paper.

  3. 3

    Place it on the page

    Tap Signature to add it to the page you are looking at, then drag it onto the signature line. Use the zoom buttons to see the page more closely while you position it.

  4. 4

    Resize and fine-tune

    Select the signature and drag a corner handle to resize it. Keep it about the same height as handwriting on the line, so it looks natural.

  5. 5

    Add initials, a date or text

    Use the Initials, Date and Text buttons for the rest. For initials on every page, place them once and choose “Apply to all pages”. The date can be shown in the Hijri calendar if you prefer.

  6. 6

    Tap “Sign and download”

    The button shows how many items you placed. The signed PDF is saved with “-signed” in its name. Open it from your Downloads and check each page before you send it.

Before and after signing

If you are putting a pack of papers together, merge the documents and fix the order with Organize PDF first, then sign the final file once. If the document arrived as a Word file, convert it with Word to PDF before signing.

To sign something you only have as photos, build a PDF from them with JPG to PDF. The signing tool places items on top of the pages; it does not fill in interactive form fields, so type text into the page where the form needs it.

Tips for a signature that looks right

Place the signature so that it slightly touches the signature line, like real ink, rather than floating above it. Keep its size in proportion to the printed text around it: a signature that is far larger than the form looks out of place and may cover other details. Use the same signature across a pack of documents so that it looks consistent.

Choose a date format your recipient expects. Many documents in the Gulf use the Gregorian date, while some also show the Hijri date, and the tool can show either. Always keep a copy of the unsigned file, and open the signed PDF at the end to confirm that every item sits where you meant it to before you send it.

Common problems

  • My signature looks jagged or thin

    Draw it larger and slower on the pad, choose a thicker line, and use Undo to redraw. A bigger drawing scales down more smoothly than a small one scales up.

  • I can’t move the signature

    Tap it once to select it, then drag. If the page scrolls instead, zoom in a little and touch the signature itself rather than the page behind it.

  • The signature has a white box behind it

    That happens with uploaded photos. Use “Remove background” in the upload tab, or sign on plain white paper in good light so the paper is removed automatically.

  • The receiver says it isn’t a “real” digital signature

    Correct: this is a visual signature. If the document must carry a certified digital signature, ask the sender which accredited provider to use.

Merge PDF

Frequently asked questions

How do I sign a PDF on iPhone or Android for free?

Open the Sign PDF tool in your phone’s browser, add the PDF, draw your signature and place it. It is free and adds no watermark.

Is a drawn signature legally valid?

It depends on the document and the country. A visual signature is widely accepted for ordinary agreements, but it is not a certified digital signature, and we do not claim legal validity.

Can I sign in Arabic?

Yes. Draw it, or type your name in an Arabic calligraphy font. Text and date items also support Arabic and the Hijri date.

Related guides