How to sign a PDF on your phone without printing it

Printing a document, signing it with a pen, scanning it and sending it back is slow, and you need a printer. For most everyday documents you can sign right on your phone in under a minute.

Step by step

1. Open the Sign PDF tool in your phone's browser and choose the document. If you received it by email or WhatsApp, save it to Files or Downloads first.
2. In “Draw”, sign with your finger in the white box. Turn your phone sideways if you want more room.
3. Go to the page where the signature belongs and tap “Place on this page”.
4. Drag the signature into place and adjust its size with the corner button.
5. If needed, tap “Add date”. Then “Sign and download”.

Tips for a good-looking signature

• Sign bigger than usual and then shrink it: the strokes look cleaner.
• If you have a stylus, use it: the signature will look more like your paper one.
• If you prefer your usual signature, sign on white paper, take a photo and upload it with the “Image” option. The white background is removed automatically.
• Before sending it, open the PDF and check every page you needed to sign.

Is it legally valid?

In the European Union, the eIDAS regulation recognizes several types of electronic signature. A handwritten signature placed on a PDF is a simple electronic signature: it works for many private agreements, authorizations, delivery notes or forms, and can be used as evidence if both parties accept it.

Some procedures with government agencies, banks or notaries require an advanced or qualified electronic signature, made with a digital certificate such as a national electronic ID. If the document explicitly asks for it, you'll need to use that certificate. When in doubt, ask whoever requested the signature which type they need.

By Siegfried · Updated September 26, 2026