How to Digitally Sign a PDF on iPhone and iPad
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to apply certificate-based digital signatures to a PDF document using an iPhone or iPad.
- Product
- PDF Mobile App
- Device & OS
- iOS / iPadOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to legally or securely sign a PDF document requiring verification while on a mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- Users need clarification on whether certificate-based digital signatures are supported on mobile apps like Acrobat, as opposed to basic drawn electronic signatures.
Determine if your document strictly requires a certificate-based digital signature for verification, or if a standard drawn electronic signature is sufficient for your needs.
Use Fill & Sign for Basic Electronic Signatures on Mobile
While certificate-based digital signatures aren't supported on mainstream mobile PDF apps, you can still add a standard electronic signature using the Fill & Sign feature.
Most mobile PDF applications, including Acrobat Mobile, do not support full certificate-based digital signatures due to system limitations. However, for everyday documents, you can safely apply a basic electronic signature.
Launch your preferred mobile PDF application (such as Adobe Fill & Sign or your main PDF viewer) and open the document you need to sign.
Tap on the 'Fill & Sign' icon, usually located in the bottom tool menu or by tapping the edit button.
Select the signature icon to create a new signature. You can draw it with your finger or an Apple Pencil.
Tap anywhere on the document to place the drawn signature. You can then drag to reposition or resize it as needed.
Apply Certificate-Based Digital Signatures on Desktop
If your document strictly requires a verified digital ID or certificate, you must process the signature using a desktop application.
Add Electronic Signatures and Annotations with WPS Office
WPS Office provides robust PDF editing capabilities on both mobile and desktop. You can easily draw, type, or import your signature on your iPhone or iPad, and handle advanced PDF security settings seamlessly on your PC.
- 1. Install WPS Office Mobile: Download and install the WPS Office app directly from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Locate and open your PDF file within the WPS Office app.
- 3. Access Signature Tool: Tap 'Tools' at the bottom, switch to the 'PDF Edit' or 'Annotation' tab, and select 'Signature'.
- 4. Sign and Save: Create your signature, place it on the document, and tap 'Done' to finalize and save your signed PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is a digital image or representation of your handwritten signature used to agree to terms. A digital signature is a more secure type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic certificates to verify the signer's identity and ensure the document hasn't been tampered with.
Can I use third-party apps to add certificate-based signatures on iOS?
While mainstream PDF viewers currently restrict certificate-based signing to their desktop versions, some specialized enterprise or government applications do support mobile certificate-based signatures, often requiring specific hardware tokens.
How do I create a digital ID for signing PDFs securely?
You can create a self-signed digital ID directly within desktop PDF software like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat. For greater security, you can purchase a verified certificate from a trusted third-party Certificate Authority (CA).
Will signatures added on my iPad show up correctly on a PC?
Yes, standard electronic signatures added using tools like Fill & Sign or WPS Office on an iPad are embedded directly into the PDF format. They will display correctly when opened on any standard PDF viewer on a Mac or PC.
