Does Acrobat Fill & Sign on iPad Support Certified Signatures?
Question details
The user wants to know if certificate-based digital signatures can be used within the Acrobat Fill & Sign application on an iPad.
- Product
- Acrobat Fill & Sign App
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to apply a certified cryptographic digital signature to a PDF document using a mobile tablet app.
- Observed behavior
- The Acrobat Fill & Sign app only allows drawn or typed signatures and lacks support for applying or verifying certificate-based digital signatures.
Verify whether your organization strictly requires a cryptographic digital certificate for compliance, or if a standard electronic signature (drawn or typed) is legally sufficient for your document.
Use Electronic Signatures in the Fill & Sign App
Since digital certificates are not supported in the iPad Fill & Sign app, you can use the built-in electronic signature tools as an alternative if strict cryptography is not required.
The Fill & Sign app is designed for quick, standard electronic signatures rather than high-security certified digital signatures. You can easily draw your signature or type it out.
Launch the Acrobat Fill & Sign app on your iPad and select the PDF document you need to sign.
Tap the 'Signature' icon (usually shaped like a fountain pen) located in the toolbar.
Choose 'Create Signature' or 'Create Initials' from the dropdown menu.
Draw your signature using your finger or Apple Pencil, or type it out. Tap 'Done' to place it on the document, then drag to reposition it as needed.
Apply a Certified Signature Using Desktop Software
If a certified digital signature is strictly required, you must transfer the document to a desktop environment that supports certificate-based signing.
Easily Sign and Certify PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a complete suite of PDF tools across platforms. Whether you need a quick handwritten signature on your mobile device or a fully certified digital signature on your desktop, WPS Office offers a seamless, highly compatible alternative to expensive PDF editors.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Download and launch WPS Office, then open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Insert an Electronic Signature: To add a standard signature, navigate to the 'Insert' tab and click on 'Sign' to draw, type, or upload an image of your signature.
- 3. Use Digital Certificates (Desktop): For cryptographic certified signatures, go to the 'Protect' tab and select 'Sign Document'.
- 4. Select Your Digital ID: Choose your secure digital certificate from the list, draw the signature box, and apply it to finalize and secure the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a certified digital signature?
An electronic signature is a simple digital representation of a handwritten signature, such as drawing on a screen or inserting an image. A certified digital signature uses a cryptographic digital certificate (Digital ID) to cryptographically bind your identity to the document, ensuring it has not been altered since it was signed.
Can I use digital certificates on any PDF app for iPad?
Most standard or lightweight PDF viewer apps on the iPad, including Acrobat Fill & Sign, do not support cryptographic digital certificates. To use a Digital ID, you typically need specialized enterprise mobile signing apps or a full-featured desktop PDF editor.
Does WPS Office support certified digital signatures?
Yes, the desktop version of WPS Office fully supports applying, managing, and verifying certificate-based digital signatures, making it an excellent tool for handling official and legally binding documents.
How do I get a digital certificate for signing PDFs?
You can purchase a high-assurance digital certificate from a trusted third-party Certificate Authority (CA). Alternatively, for internal use, you can generate a self-signed digital ID directly within capable desktop PDF software like WPS Office.
