Guide · Updated September 2026
How to Sign a PDF (Free, on Any Device)
Most devices can already sign a PDF without paid software. This guide covers the general process, then links to device-specific walkthroughs for iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
Step by step
- Open the PDF in a tool that supports annotations. On a Mac use Preview, on iPhone or iPad use the Files app, and on Windows or Android use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Any of these can add a signature.
- Find the signature option. In Preview it is the Sign button in the Markup toolbar. In the Files app it is Markup, then the + button, then Add Signature. In Acrobat Reader it is Fill & Sign.
- Create your signature. Draw with a mouse, trackpad or finger, type your name, or use an image of your handwritten signature, depending on what the app offers.
- Place and resize it. Drag the signature onto the signature line and resize it so it fits the space. Add the date or your printed name with a text field if the document asks for it.
- Save a copy. Save or export the signed file. Keep the original unsigned version too, in case you need to correct something.
Signing it yourself vs. collecting signatures
Adding your own signature to a PDF is a quick edit you can do in any of the apps above. Getting another person to sign is different: you need to send the file, track whether it was signed and keep a record of who signed and when.
For the second case, an e-signature service that records an audit trail is usually the better fit. eSignSimple lets you send documents for signature with an audit trail (currently in early access).
A browser-based option
If you would rather not install anything, eSignSimple's free Sign PDF tool (/tools/sign-pdf) runs in your browser: the file is processed on your device and is not uploaded. You can draw or type a signature, add the date, and download the signed PDF.
Device-specific guides
See our step-by-step guides for signing a PDF on iPhone, on Android, on Mac and on Windows, and for signing a PDF without printing it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to sign a PDF?
Yes. Preview (Mac), the Files app (iPhone and iPad) and Adobe Acrobat Reader all let you add your own signature for free, as does eSignSimple's Sign PDF tool.
Is a signature added this way legally valid?
In many countries, including the US under the ESIGN Act and the EU under eIDAS, electronic signatures are generally valid for most everyday documents. Some documents have special requirements, so check if you are unsure.
Can I sign a scanned PDF?
Yes. A signature can be placed on any page, scanned or not, because it is added as a layer on top of the page.
Do I need to print and scan?
No. All of the methods above sign the file digitally, so there is no need to print it.
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