How to sign a PDF on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Got a PDF that needs your signature ASAP? Thanks to the miracles of modern technology, you can sign it in a couple of minutes with no printing or scanning necessary. 

That said, how you can do it depends on the device you have at hand right now. We’ll walk you through how to sign a PDF online on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.

Three ways to sign a PDF (draw, type, upload)

Most tools that let you create a reusable signature offer three options: draw one, type in your name, or upload an image. All of them are legally recognized. They just vary in convenience and similarity to your ink signature. Let’s compare them:

Sign a PDF on Windows

If you’re sitting in front of your Windows 10/11 laptop or PC, you have three options: a browser tool, Microsoft Edge, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Let’s explain when and how to use each of them. (Spoiler alert: CreateMySignature is often the fastest option.)

1. Use CreateMySignature in your browser (recommended, ~90 seconds)

In most cases, this is the quickest and most convenient way to sign PDF online. Here’s how to use CreateMySignature, no account required:

1.Select the input type: draw, type, or generate with AI.

2.Create your signature, choose its color and, if you type or generate it, its font.

3.Upload the PDF you need to sign; drag and drop the signature from the right sidebar to the appropriate spot in the document.

4.Click “Download document”, wait for the download to start, and save the signed PDF (it’ll open in a new tab).

2. Use Microsoft Edge’s built-in PDF signing

In 2021, Microsoft added a Draw tool to its browser’s PDF viewer — and you have that browser installed on every Windows 10/11 machine. Here’s how to quickly sign PDF files with it:

1. Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge.
2. Select the “Draw” tool at the top; pick the color and thickness.
3. Use the mouse or touchpad to draw the signature.
4. Click “Save As” to save the signed PDF as a separate file.

3. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader’s Fill & Sign

If your document has Acrobat-specific signature fields, this approach is often best: Acrobat Reader’s Fill & Sign tool will automatically match them. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat and select the Fill & Sign tool in the left sidebar.
2. Click “Add signature” in the left sidebar.
3. Type your name, draw your signature, or upload a PNG with it.
4. Put the signature in place.
5. Click “Save a certified copy” in the left sidebar.

Sign a PDF on Mac

If you’re looking for the fastest way to create an electronic signature on Mac, Preview’s Markup tool lets you draw or capture one.

1. Use Preview’s Markup signature tool

Preview comes pre-installed on every Mac, and it’s a good choice if you want to sign a file without sending it to a third-party server.

Here’s how to add a signature to PDF files with the Markup tool:

1. Open the PDF with the Preview app.
2. Click the signature icon in the Markup toolbar.
3. Do one of the following:
4. 1. Draw one with a finger using the trackpad.
   2. Take a photo of your signature with the built-in camera.
   3. Draw your signature on your iPhone or iPad.
4. Drag the signature to where it belongs in the document.
5. Save your file or create a copy of it.

2. Use CreateMySignature in your browser

While Preview is the fastest option for signing a document locally, the browser tool is its cross-device match. The process is the same as on Windows:

1. Head to CreateMySignature.
2. Use the canvas to draw a signature with your trackpad or generate one by typing your name.
3. Upload the PDF file and drag the signature to where you need it.
4. Download your signed PDF.

3. When to reach for Adobe Acrobat Reader 

Preview is a convenient option if you need to create a signature on the spot. But Acrobat Reader will work better if:

• You want to use a PNG with your signature.
• The sender added Acrobat-specific fields to the document.

Sign a PDF on iPhone

Great news: starting with iOS 26, your iPhone also comes with Preview pre-installed. Its Markup tool lets you create an electronic signature on iPhone by drawing it using your finger.

1. Use Markup in Preview, Files, or Mail

Markup can handle about 95% of iOS users’ PDF-signing needs, no extra downloads necessary. Here’s how to use it on a file open in Preview, Files, or Mail:

1. At the bottom, tap the Pencil icon, then the plus icon, then “Add Signature.”
2. Use your finger to draw the signature.
3. Drag it to its rightful place and adjust its size if needed.
4. Save changes.

2. Use CreateMySignature in Safari

If you received your file via Slack, WhatsApp, or cloud storage, a browser tool tends to be a faster option.

To sign a PDF with CreateMySignature on iOS:

1. Open CreateMySignature in Safari.
2. Draw a signature using the touchscreen or type your name to create one.
3. Click “Sign Your Document Online” and upload the file.
4. Add your signature to the page(s).
5. Tap the icon in the top-right corner to save or share the signed document.

Sign a PDF on Android

Unfortunately for non-iOS users, Android doesn’t have a Preview/Markup equivalent, but you still have three options to choose from.

1. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader (Android app)

That’s right: Adobe’s free Android app is equipped with the same Fill & Sign tool you can find in Acrobat Reader on Windows. To sign a PDF with it:

1. Open your PDF with the Adobe Acrobat Reader (Android) app.
2. Tap the pen icon in the bottom-right corner, then “Fill & Sign.”
3. Draw your signature, import an image, or type your name.
4. Drag the signature to its rightful spot on the page.
5. Tap the Save icon to store it on your device or share it right away.

2. Use Google Drive’s built-in annotation

If your PDF is already in Google Drive, you can use the app’s built-in tools. Open your Google Drive app and:

1. Locate the PDF and open it.
2. Tap the Annotate icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Pick the Marker tool from the bottom toolbar
4. Use your finger to draw the signature.
5. Tap Save at the top of the screen.

3. Use CreateMySignature in Chrome

Signing a PDF with CreateMySignature on Android is no different from doing it on iOS, Windows, or macOS. To do so:

1. Open CreateMySignature in Google Chrome.
2. Create your signature using your preferred method.
3. Tap “Sign Your Document Online” and upload the file.
4. Place the signature where it’s supposed to go.
5. Tap the Download icon at the top right and save your signed file.

Make your signed PDF look professional

Small touches like the ink color and placement make all the difference in the world. Here’s how to make your signed PDF look professional:

• Adjust the size. Make sure your signature doesn’t extend beyond the printed line and sits snugly in the space above it. Don’t let it overflow or dominate the page.
• Use black or blue color. Colors other than black and dark blue may look out of place. Whichever color you choose, stick to it throughout the PDF.
• Repeat the signature when needed. Long multi-page documents may require you to sign every page to indicate you’ve read its contents.
• Pay attention to alignment. Don’t let your signature drift too much to the right: have it start roughly along the same line as other fields. Put the signature above the line, too.
• Make your signature recognizable. Use your first and last name as your signature. While it’s not mandatory, it’s often a standard option for documents. For a quick professional look, use an AI signature generator to create a handwritten, one-of-a-kind signature. It creates original strokes instead of using stock fonts.

Is a signed PDF legally binding?

In most U.S. contexts, a signed PDF tends to hold up as long as everyone shows consent to conduct business electronically and you have the intent to sign. It’s all thanks to the ESIGN Act, which governs how electronic signatures work in the US on a federal level. Most states also enacted the UETA; check whether your state has it on the books using this tracker.

Here’s what 15 U.S.C. § 7001(a) says about electronic signatures:

Notwithstanding any statute, regulation, or other rule of law (other than this subchapter and subchapter II), with respect to any transaction in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce-

(1) a signature, contract, or other record relating to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form; and

(2) a contract relating to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because an electronic signature or electronic record was used in its formation.

Sign your first PDF in your browser

You don’t need an account to sign your PDF with CreateMySignature. And your file stays on your device until you confirm you want to generate a signed PDF.

Sign your PDF in ~90 seconds for free with CreateMySignature.

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