eSign PDF Guide
You got a PDF that needs your signature. You don't have a printer. Here's how to sign it right from your iPhone in under a minute.
Signing PDFs on iPhone used to mean printing the document, signing with a pen, scanning it back in, and emailing it. That's four steps too many. Modern iOS apps let you draw your signature directly on the PDF, add dates and text fields, and export a tamper-proof document. All from your phone. The whole process takes less than 60 seconds. Apple's built-in Markup tool can handle basic signatures, but it falls apart on multi-page documents and can't add dates, checkboxes, or text fields. A dedicated e-signature app like eSign PDF gives you the full toolkit.
Apple Markup lets you draw a signature on a PDF. That's it. It sounds fine until you need to sign page 3 of a 10-page lease and your signature disappears when you save. Or you need to add today's date next to your signature. Or you need to check a box that says 'I agree.' Markup can't do any of that. Markup signatures are also just image annotations. Anyone with a PDF editor can select and delete them in 3 seconds. There's no flattening, no tamper protection, no audit trail. For a permission slip, maybe that's fine. For a lease, a contract, or an NDA, you need something better. eSign PDF handles all of this on-device. Draw, type, or import your signature. Add dates, checkboxes, text fields, and stamps. Export a flattened PDF where signatures are permanent and can't be removed. And your document never leaves your iPhone.
You can import your PDF from the Files app, Photos, or scan a physical document with your camera. If someone sent you a PDF via email or Messages, open it and use the Share Sheet to send it to eSign PDF. The app handles multi-page documents without any issues.
You have three options. Draw with your finger or Apple Pencil using Fountain, Ballpoint, Monoline, or Marker pen styles. Type your name and pick from handwriting fonts. Or take a photo of your real signature and import it. Your signature is saved for reuse across all future documents.
Tap the signature tool and drag it onto any page. Pinch to resize. Then add dates, text fields, checkboxes, initials, or stamps as needed. AI smart detection highlights where signatures and dates should go, so you don't have to hunt through pages.
Preview your signed document. Tap Sign & Export to create a flattened PDF where your signature is permanently embedded and can't be removed. Share via email, AirDrop, Messages, or save to Files. The whole process takes under 60 seconds.
eSign PDF was built for exactly this. Import from anywhere, sign with your preferred method, fill form fields, and export a tamper-proof document. Everything happens on your device. No account, no server uploads, no internet required. Your signature is saved so next time you need to sign something, it's even faster. Most people finish their first signed document in under 60 seconds.
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (US) and eIDAS (EU). A drawn or typed signature on a PDF carries the same legal weight as a pen signature in most situations. eSign PDF also flattens the document so signatures can't be tampered with.
Yes. Unlike Apple Markup, which has bugs with multi-page signatures, eSign PDF lets you place signatures, dates, and text on any page of any length document. Navigate between pages using thumbnails.
No. eSign PDF is 100% on-device. Your documents never leave your iPhone. No server uploads, no cloud processing, no account required. Perfect for sensitive documents like NDAs, medical forms, and financial contracts.
Yes. Create your signature once and it's saved in the app. Every time you need to sign a new document, just tap the signature tool and place it. No redrawing needed.