Step by step
- 01
Use Markup for a quick one-off
If drawing with your finger is acceptable, open the PDF in Preview, Files, or Mail and use Markup to add a signature.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 01 - 02
Use PDF Sign for paper handwriting
Scan the signature you actually write, then remove paper texture and shadows on the device.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 02 - 03
Choose based on reuse
A named signature library helps when you sign PDFs regularly or keep separate full signatures and initials.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 03 - 04
Follow the recipient’s requirement
Neither route replaces a requested certificate, identity check, witness, or organization-specific signing portal.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 04
The short version
- Markup: built in, quick, good for a finger- or stylus-drawn signature.
- PDF Sign & Scan: paper capture, background cleanup, named reuse, precise placement, and PNG export.
- Certificate signing: a different workflow; use it only when the document requires it.
Questions
Do I need an app to sign every PDF on iPhone?
No. Apple’s built-in Preview or Markup tools can handle many simple PDFs. A dedicated app is most useful when its capture, cleanup, or reuse features solve a specific need.
Does PDF Sign & Scan create a certificate-based digital signature?
No. It places a visible handwritten electronic signature and exports a flattened PDF.
