Edit PDF on iPhone: Step-by-Step Instructions & Best Tools

You can edit PDFs right on your iPhone using built-in tools and third-party apps—no computer needed. The native Files app actually gives you a lot: form filling, text, signatures, annotations, and page tweaks, all for free.

That means you can handle most document stuff while you’re out and about. Pretty handy, honestly.

Modern iPhones have a few ways to edit PDFs, depending on what you need. The Files app is great for basics like filling contracts, signing, and marking things up.

If you want to do things like add images, redact sensitive info, or reorganize pages in a big way, you’ll want a third-party PDF app.

So whether you’re signing a lease, scribbling notes on a report, or rearranging a document, your iPhone’s got the tools. The trick is knowing which method fits your document and your mood.

Key Takeaways

• The Files app offers free PDF editing—form filling, signatures, and annotations—no extra downloads needed.
• Third-party apps unlock more: image insertion, text redaction, advanced page management, and other pro features.
• Always make backup copies before editing, just in case you need the original.

How to Edit PDF on iPhone Using the Files App

The Files app lets you edit PDFs right on your iPhone, no additional software required. You’ll find options to add text, signatures, shapes, and annotations using Markup.

Opening and Locating PDF Files

Files comes pre-installed and is your go-to for PDF editing. It’s either on your home screen or hiding in the App Library.

Open Files, then dig through your folders for the PDF you want. Could be in iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or even a cloud service like Google Drive.

Once you spot your PDF, tap to open it. It’ll fill the screen in Files.

Can’t find your PDF? Try the search bar at the top—just type part of the name or a keyword.

Accessing Markup and Annotation Tools

With your PDF open, look for the Markup icon at the top. It’s usually a pen tip or pencil symbol.

Tap it, and the editing tools pop up at the bottom. Now you’re in business.

The Markup toolbar gives you:

• Pen tool for freehand doodles or notes
• Highlighter for calling out key text
• Pencil for finer sketches
• Eraser to fix mistakes
• Plus (+) icon for more editing stuff

You can edit, fill, and mark up PDFs with these. Each tool lets you tweak thickness and opacity, which is a nice touch.

Adding Text, Signatures, and Shapes

Tap the plus (+) icon to see more options: Text, Signature, Magnifier, and Shapes.

Adding Text:
Pick Text, tap where you want it, and type away. You can change font size, color, and alignment.

Creating Signatures:
Choose Signature to add your John Hancock. First time? You’ll need to draw it out—either on-screen or with your camera. Your signatures stick around for future use.

Inserting Shapes:
Pick Shapes to drop in arrows, rectangles, circles, whatever you need to call out a section.

When you’re done, hit Done. Your changes save automatically in Files.

Editing PDF Pages and Managing Documents

You can shuffle PDF pages and manage the document structure using built-in tools or third-party apps. Files does the basics, but for merging or splitting, you’ll need something extra.

Inserting, Removing, and Rotating PDF Pages

Files lets you rotate pages—open your PDF, tap the markup button, and use the rotation controls.

For actually adding or removing pages, you’ll need a third-party app like iLovePDF. The iLovePDF app is free and integrates with Files.

To remove pages:

• Open iLovePDF and pick “Organize PDF”
• Import your file from Files
• Select the pages you don’t want, tap the minus
• Save back to Files

Adding new pages is similar—just hit plus in iLovePDF to add blanks or pages from other PDFs wherever you want.

Merging and Splitting PDF Files

Files can’t merge or split PDFs. For that, you’ll want apps like PDF Merger or iLovePDF.

To merge PDFs:

1. Select files from Files or cloud storage
2. Drag to arrange them in order
3. Combine into one PDF
4. Export back to Files

Splitting works about the same. You can pull out specific pages or ranges to create new PDFs, which is perfect if you only need to send a few pages.

Most apps save the edited PDFs straight back to Files, so you don’t have to hunt them down later.

Filling Forms, Signing, and Customizing PDFs

Your iPhone’s got what you need to fill out forms, sign, and tweak PDFs. You can handle official documents without ever touching a laptop.

Filling Out Forms and Using Autofill

Files usually picks up on form fields in PDFs. Tap any text box, checkbox, or dropdown to start typing.

Autofill is a lifesaver here. Tap a name or address field, and your iPhone suggests info from your contacts. No more typing your email for the hundredth time.

For dropdowns, tap and pick from the list. Checkboxes? Just tap to check or uncheck.

Form Field Types:

• Text fields for names and addresses
• Checkboxes for yes/no
• Dropdowns with preset choices
• Date fields with calendar picker
• Signature fields for digital signing

The Files app makes editing PDFs straightforward. Your progress saves as you go.

Signing Documents and Creating Signatures

Markup lets you fill forms, sign, and send docs all from your iPhone.

To create a signature, open Markup, tap “Add Signature,” and draw with your finger. You can save a few versions—full name, initials, whatever you use most.

Signature Steps:

1. Open PDF in Files
2. Tap Markup
3. Select “Add Signature”
4. Pick type (full name, initials, etc.)
5. Draw with your finger
6. Tap “Done”

If you’ve got old signatures you don’t want, just delete them from the menu.

Customizing Fonts, Colors, and Formatting

When you add text, you can play with font size, color, and style. Tap the color picker for presets or custom shades.

Want bold or italics? Tap the text menu. Font size is adjustable too—small for notes, big for headlines.

Formatting Options:

• Colors: Black, blue, red, green, yellow, custom
• Styles: Regular, bold, italic
• Sizes: Small to extra large
• Drawing: Pen, highlighter, pencil

Drag text boxes to move them, or grab a corner to resize. It’s not perfect, but it keeps your layout tidy.

Advanced Editing with Third-Party Apps

If you need more than basic markup, third-party apps like Microsoft Word or PDF Expert open up a whole new world. You get advanced text editing, form creation, and collaboration—your iPhone becomes a pocket office.

Recommended Free and Paid PDF Editors

PDFgear is a top pick for all-around PDF editing. It’s free, lets you annotate, sign, and manage pages—no subscription.

You can add text boxes in any style, plus use built-in stamps like “Approved” or “Confidential.” Custom signatures are easy too.

PDF Expert is speedy and great for organizing files. The paid version (starts at $9.99) adds scroll mode, two-page view, and cloud sync with Dropbox or Google Drive.

Foxit PDF Editor is more pro-level, with audio/video insertion, custom toolsets, and XFA forms. Subscriptions start at $10.99/month.

pdfFiller is cloud-based, strong on collaboration. You can make QR codes for sharing and even link with Salesforce.

Benefits and Features of Popular PDF Apps

With these apps, you’re not just scribbling on top of a PDF—you can actually edit the text, move paragraphs, change fonts, the works.

Form creation is way easier, too. PDFelement Pro lets you extract, reorder, and rotate pages while keeping everything clean.

Collaboration is a big plus. You can invite others to edit, track changes, and manage signature workflows—even authenticate with LinkedIn or Facebook.

Cloud sync means your edits show up everywhere. Most pro PDF apps link to major cloud services for easy backup.

Security’s not bad either. You get password protection and real redaction (not just hiding stuff).

Tips for Efficient PDF Editing on iPhone

Always back up before making changes—trust me, it’s worth the extra step. And double-check your export format so your edited PDFs look right when you send them off.

Best Practices for Preserving Originals

Always create a backup copy before you edit PDF files on your iPhone.

Save the original PDF to a separate folder in the Files app, or just duplicate it right there if that’s easier.

Backup Methods:

• Tap and hold the PDF in Files, then hit Duplicate.
• Save copies to different iCloud Drive folders if you’re the organized type.
• Export originals to cloud storage services before you start fiddling with anything.

Name your files in a way that actually makes sense—something like “Document_Original” and “Document_Edited_Date” usually does the trick.

This keeps you from mixing up versions later (and trust me, it happens).

Think about how much editing you really need to do.

Minor annotations? iOS markup tools are fine. But if you’re planning big changes, you might want a dedicated app like Adobe Acrobat.

Try edits on a small section first.

That way, you can see how the PDF reacts and avoid any formatting messes across the whole file.

Sharing and Exporting Edited Documents

Pick a file format that actually fits your needs before sending out your edited PDF. The usual PDF format works just about everywhere, so you’re rarely going wrong there.

Export Options:

• PDF: Keeps original formatting and your notes intact.
• Images: You can turn pages into JPG or PNG files if that’s more your style.
• Print: Send it straight to a printer from your iPhone—pretty handy sometimes.

Tap the Share button in the Files app or whatever editing app you’re using. You can shoot documents over email, Messages, or drop them in cloud storage. If you’re sending something official, email is still often the safest bet.

Watch out for file size headaches. PDFs with tons of highlights or comments can get huge, and email might just refuse to send anything over 25MB. In those cases, just send a cloud link instead.

After sharing, double-check your edits show up the way you want. Some email apps or old devices can mangle annotations or just drop them entirely—never fun.