DottieSign

How to Sign a PDF on iPhone and Android

tutorials

Sign PDF documents from your phone in seconds. No app downloads needed — works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

The Fastest Way: Browser-Based Signing

The easiest way to sign a PDF on your phone is through a browser-based e-signature link. When someone sends you a document to sign through a platform like DottiSign, you receive an email with a link. Tap the link, and the document opens in your mobile browser. No app download, no account creation.

Signing on iPhone

Via E-Signature Link (Recommended)

  1. Open the signing email in your Mail app
  2. Tap the "Sign Document" link
  3. The document opens in Safari with signature fields highlighted
  4. Tap each field to fill it in — draw your signature with your finger
  5. Tap "Sign Document" to complete

This works in Safari, Chrome, and any other mobile browser on iOS.

Using Apple's Built-In Markup Tool

If you have a PDF file saved locally and just need to add a quick signature:

  1. Open the PDF in the Files app or a PDF viewer
  2. Tap the Markup icon (pen tip) in the toolbar
  3. Tap the "+" button and select "Signature"
  4. Draw your signature with your finger
  5. Place and resize the signature on the document
  6. Save or share the signed PDF

Note: Apple's Markup doesn't provide an audit trail or email the document to others — it's a local-only solution.

Signing on Android

Via E-Signature Link (Recommended)

  1. Open the signing email in Gmail or your email app
  2. Tap the signing link
  3. The document opens in Chrome with fields ready to fill
  4. Draw your signature with your finger on the signature field
  5. Submit to complete the signing

Using Google Drive

Google Drive's PDF viewer has limited annotation support. For reliable mobile signing, browser-based e-signature platforms are the better choice — they're designed for the mobile signing experience.

Tips for Better Mobile Signatures

  • Use your finger, not a stylus — Unless you have a good stylus, your finger usually produces a more natural-looking signature on a phone screen
  • Sign in landscape mode — Rotating your phone gives you more space to draw
  • Draw slowly — Quick swipes result in angular, unnatural-looking signatures
  • Use the "Type" option — If drawing feels awkward on a small screen, most platforms let you type your name in a signature font instead

Why Browser-Based Signing Wins

The main advantage of platforms like DottiSign for mobile signing: recipients don't need to download anything. They tap a link, sign in their browser, and they're done. No app store visits, no account creation, no storage used on their device.

Ready to try DottiSign?