The three ways to edit PDFs on iPad, and which one matches your workflow
You can edit PDFs on iPad using the built-in Notes app, Apple's free PDF markup tool in Files, or a dedicated PDF editor from the App Store. The built-in options work for adding comments, highlighting, and signing — they cost nothing and sync across your devices. Dedicated apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Notability, or GoodNotes give you more control over text, images, and form fields, but they cost money or require a subscription.
Your choice depends on what you actually need to do. If you're marking up a document someone sent you, the free tools are enough. If you're filling forms, editing text, or working with PDFs daily, a paid app saves time and frustration.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's built-in markup tools in Notes and Files let you highlight, draw, add text boxes, and sign PDFs at no cost.
- The Files app's markup feature works on any PDF without installing another app, and changes save directly to your file.
- Dedicated PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Reader (free tier) and Notability (one-time purchase) handle form-filling and text editing that the built-in tools cannot do.
- Notability and GoodNotes sync across iPad and Mac, so edits appear on both devices if you own both.
Using Apple's built-in markup tool in the Files app
Open the Files app, find your PDF, and tap it once to select it. Tap the three dots in the top right, then choose "Quick Look". Once the PDF opens, tap the markup button — it looks like a pen tip in a circle at the bottom right of the screen. You can now highlight text, draw, add text boxes, and sign the document.
When you finish, tap "Done" and the changes save directly to your file. This method works offline and does not require any app downloads. The markup tools are basic but reliable: you get a pen, highlighter, magnifier, and signature tool. You cannot edit the text itself or rearrange pages, but you can add comments and visual marks.
Marking up PDFs in the Notes app
Open Notes, create a new note, and tap the camera icon at the bottom. Choose "Scan Documents" and either take a photo of a printed page or select a PDF from your files. The PDF appears in your note as an image you can mark up with the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools built into Notes.
This approach works well if you're collecting multiple PDFs in one place or mixing handwritten notes with document markup. The downside is that Notes converts your PDF into an image, so you cannot search the text or edit it later. Use this method when you want to annotate and keep everything in one notebook, not when you need to preserve the original PDF structure.
Using Adobe Acrobat Reader for form-filling and text editing
read Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store — the basic version is free. Open your PDF, tap the pencil icon at the bottom, and you can add text, draw, highlight, and fill form fields. The free version handles most everyday tasks: signing documents, filling in blanks, and adding comments.
Adobe's paid subscription (Acrobat Premium) unlocks features like editing existing text, compressing files, and converting PDFs to Word documents. For most people, the free tier is enough. The app syncs with your Adobe account, so if you also use Acrobat on a computer, your files appear in both places.
Notability and GoodNotes for handwriting and note-taking
Notability and GoodNotes are iPad apps designed for people who write by hand or take notes on their screen. Both cost money upfront (Notability is a subscription, GoodNotes is a one-time purchase), but they sync across iPad and Mac automatically. You import a PDF, write on top of it with the Apple Pencil, and the app preserves your handwriting as a layer on top of the original document.
These apps are built for students and professionals who annotate documents heavily. They handle pressure sensitivity from the Apple Pencil, organize pages into notebooks, and let you search your handwritten notes. If you do not use an Apple Pencil or do not need handwriting recognition, the free built-in tools are usually sufficient.
Comparing the tools side by side
| Tool | Cost | Best for | What it can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files app markup | Free | Quick comments and highlighting | Highlight, draw, add text boxes, sign |
| Notes app | Free | Mixing handwritten notes with PDFs | Highlight, draw, erase (converts to image) |
| Adobe Acrobat Reader | Free (basic), subscription (premium) | Filling forms, signing | Fill forms, sign, highlight, add text |
| Notability | Subscription | Heavy annotation with Apple Pencil | Handwriting, pressure sensitivity, search notes |
| GoodNotes | One-time purchase | Note-taking and annotation | Handwriting, pressure sensitivity, organization |
When to use each tool: real scenarios
Your boss sends you a contract to review. Open it in Files, tap markup, highlight the sections you want to discuss, and email it back. No app needed, no subscription.
You're a student taking notes on lecture slides. Import the PDF into Notability or GoodNotes, write directly on the slides with your Apple Pencil, and search your notes later. The free tools cannot handle this workflow well.
You need to fill out a tax form or insurance process. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader's free version to type into the form fields and sign. The Files app markup tool cannot fill forms properly.
You're reviewing a design mockup and want to leave quick feedback. Use Files markup to draw arrows and add text boxes. It is the fastest route and the file stays in your normal folder structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit the actual text in a PDF on iPad without paying?
No. The free tools (Files markup, Notes, Adobe Acrobat Reader free) let you add text on top of a PDF, but they cannot change or delete the original text. To edit existing text, you need Adobe Acrobat Premium or a third-party app like PDF informed. If you only need to add information, the free tools work fine.
Do my edits save automatically?
In the Files app, yes — changes save the moment you tap Done. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, you must tap Save. In Notability and GoodNotes, changes save as you work. Always check that your file saved before closing the app, especially if you are using a subscription service.
Can I use these tools offline?
The Files app markup and Notes app work completely offline. Adobe Acrobat Reader works offline but syncing to your Adobe account requires internet. Notability and GoodNotes sync over the internet, but you can edit offline and they will sync when you reconnect.
What is the difference between Notability and GoodNotes?
Notability is a subscription ($11.99 per year) and GoodNotes is a one-time purchase ($7.99). Both sync across iPad and Mac. GoodNotes is simpler and cheaper if you only use it occasionally. Notability has more features like audio recording during note-taking. Try both free trials to see which feels better with your Apple Pencil.
If I edit a PDF on iPad, can I open it on my computer?
Yes, if you save it to iCloud Drive or email it to yourself. Files app edits save directly to the file, so any device can open it. Adobe Acrobat Reader syncs through your Adobe account. Notability and GoodNotes sync automatically across iPad and Mac if you own both devices.