The fastest way to edit a PDF on iPhone
You can edit PDFs directly on your iPhone using the built-in Files app and Markup tools, or by opening PDFs in apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader, GoodNotes, or Notability. The method you choose depends on what you need to change — adding signatures and straightforward annotations work in the Files app, while filling forms or making substantial edits usually requires a dedicated PDF app.
The Files app is free and already on your phone. It handles basic tasks like signing documents, adding text boxes, and drawing. If you need to fill form fields, reorder pages, or make more complex changes, a third-party app gives you more control and usually works faster.
Key Takeaways
- The Files app on your iPhone can sign documents, add text, and draw annotations without installing anything else.
- To access Markup in Files, open a PDF, tap the pencil icon, then tap Markup to add signatures, text, or drawings.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader and GoodNotes let you fill form fields, add comments, and make changes that the Files app cannot handle.
- Changes you make in the Files app save directly to the PDF file, while some third-party apps save to a separate version unless you export.
Editing PDFs using the Files app and Markup
Open the Files app on your iPhone and navigate to the PDF you want to edit. Tap the PDF to open it, then tap the pencil icon in the bottom right corner. A menu appears — tap Markup to enter editing mode.
Once in Markup, you see a toolbar at the bottom with several tools. The pen tool lets you draw or write by hand. The text tool (the "A" icon) adds typed text anywhere on the page — tap where you want the text to appear, type your message, then tap outside the text box to finish. The signature tool captures your handwritten signature from a previous save or lets you create a new one by signing on the screen. The magnifying glass zooms in for precise work.
When you finish editing, tap Done in the top right. The changes save directly to the PDF file. If you want to keep the original unchanged, duplicate the PDF first by pressing and holding it in Files, then selecting Duplicate.
Using Adobe Acrobat Reader for form filling and complex edits
Adobe Acrobat Reader is free on the App Store and handles form fields that the Files app cannot fill. Open the app, tap the plus icon to open a PDF from your Files, iCloud, or email, then tap the pencil icon to enter edit mode.
In edit mode, you can fill text fields by tapping them and typing, select checkboxes and radio buttons, and add comments or annotations. The app recognizes form structure automatically, so you do not have to manually place text boxes. When you finish, tap Save and choose whether to save to Files, iCloud, or email the completed PDF directly.
Adobe Acrobat Reader's free version covers most form-filling tasks. The paid version (Adobe Acrobat Premium) adds the ability to edit text that is not in a form field, merge PDFs, and rearrange pages — features you may not need for basic editing.
Using GoodNotes or Notability for handwriting and note-taking
GoodNotes and Notability are paid apps ($7.99 and $11.99 respectively) designed for handwriting and note-taking on PDFs. Both let you import a PDF, write or draw on it with a stylus or your finger, and save your work as a new file.
GoodNotes works well if you want to annotate a PDF with handwritten notes, highlight sections, or add typed comments. Notability offers similar features plus audio recording — you can record yourself speaking while you write, and the app syncs your writing to the audio timeline. Both apps preserve the original PDF and save your edits as a separate file, so you always have the original to reference.
Choose GoodNotes if you primarily write by hand and want a straightforward interface. Choose Notability if you want to combine handwriting with audio notes or need more advanced annotation features.
Comparing the four main approaches
| Tool | Cost | Best for | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files app + Markup | Free | Signing, straightforward text, basic drawing | Cannot fill form fields or edit text in the PDF itself |
| Adobe Acrobat Reader | Free | Filling forms, adding comments | Cannot edit text outside of form fields without paid version |
| GoodNotes | $7.99 | Handwritten annotations, highlighting | Saves edits as a separate file, not in the original PDF |
| Notability | $11.99 | Handwriting plus audio notes | Saves edits as a separate file, not in the original PDF |
How to send your edited PDF after making changes
If you edited the PDF in the Files app, the changes are already saved to the file. Open Files, find the PDF, press and hold it, then tap Share. Choose email, Messages, or another app to send it.
If you used Adobe Acrobat Reader, tap Save after editing, then choose Share to email the PDF or save it to Files. If you used GoodNotes or Notability, export the file by tapping the share icon, then choose PDF as the format before sending or saving.
When you share a PDF that you edited in GoodNotes or Notability, you are sending the version with your annotations. The original PDF remains unchanged in your Files app, so the person receiving it sees only your edits on top of the original document.
Troubleshooting common editing problems
If the Markup pencil icon does not appear when you open a PDF in Files, the file may be read-only or stored in a location you cannot edit (like a shared iCloud folder with view-only access). Try duplicating the PDF first, then editing the copy. If the problem persists, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader instead.
If form fields do not appear when you open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader, the PDF may not have interactive form fields — it might be a scanned image or a PDF created without form structure. In that case, use the Files app Markup tools to add text boxes manually, or use GoodNotes to write directly on the PDF.
If your edits in GoodNotes or Notability do not appear when you open the PDF elsewhere, remember that these apps save your annotations as a separate layer. Export the file as a PDF to flatten your edits into the document itself before sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a PDF that someone sent me via email on my iPhone?
Yes. Open the email, tap and hold the PDF attachment, then select Save to Files. Once saved, open Files, find the PDF, and edit it using Markup or a third-party app. If the email sender marked it as read-only, you may need to duplicate it first before you can make changes.
Will my edits save automatically, or do I need to manually save?
In the Files app, edits save automatically when you tap Done. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, you must tap Save explicitly. In GoodNotes and Notability, edits save as you work, but you need to export as PDF if you want to flatten the annotations into the document.
What is the difference between annotating and editing a PDF?
Annotating means adding notes, drawings, or comments on top of the PDF without changing the original content — like writing in the margins of a printed document. Editing means changing the actual text, removing sections, or filling form fields. The Files app and GoodNotes annotate; Adobe Acrobat Reader and Notability can do both depending on the PDF type.
Can I edit a scanned PDF on my iPhone?
A scanned PDF is an image, so you cannot edit the text directly. You can annotate it by adding text boxes, drawings, or comments using Markup or GoodNotes. If you need to change the actual text in a scanned document, you would need optical character recognition (OCR) software, which is not built into iPhone tools.
Do I need to pay for Adobe Acrobat to edit PDFs on iPhone?
No. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and handles form filling, comments, and basic edits. You only need the paid Adobe Acrobat Premium subscription if you want to edit text outside of form fields or perform advanced tasks like merging or rearranging pages.