The three ways to edit PDFs on iPhone

You can edit PDFs on iPhone using the built-in Files app and Notes app, Apple's Books app, or third-party apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Notability, or GoodNotes. The method you choose depends on what you need to do — mark up a document with notes and highlights, fill in form fields, or make structural changes like reordering pages.

The Files app and Notes app come free with every iPhone and handle basic markup: adding text boxes, drawing, highlighting, and signing. If you need to fill PDF forms or make more detailed edits, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free version available) works well. For handwriting-heavy work like annotating documents or taking notes on PDFs, Notability and GoodNotes are popular paid options.

None of these methods let you edit the original text inside a PDF the way you would in a Word document — that requires converting the PDF to another format first, which most iPhone users do not need to do.

Key Takeaways

  • The Notes app is the fastest way to mark up a PDF with highlights, text boxes, and signatures without installing anything new.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader's free version lets you fill form fields, add text, and sign PDFs, then save the marked-up version to your Files app.
  • If you write or draw on PDFs regularly, Notability or GoodNotes offer better handwriting recognition and organization than the built-in tools.
  • You cannot edit the original text inside a PDF on iPhone — you can only add notes, highlights, and signatures on top of it.

Using the Notes app to mark up a PDF

Open the PDF in Safari or the Files app, tap the share button (the square with an arrow), scroll down, and select Notes. This creates a new note with the PDF embedded. You can then highlight text, add text boxes, draw with your finger, and sign the document using the markup tools at the bottom of the screen.

To access the markup tools, tap the pen icon in the bottom right corner of the note. You will see options for a pen, highlighter, eraser, and shape tools. Tap the + button to add a text box or signature. When you are done, the note saves automatically to your Notes app.

This method works well for straightforward tasks like highlighting important sections, adding comments, or signing a document. The downside is that the marked-up PDF stays inside Notes — you cannot easily send the edited version to someone else without taking a screenshot or exporting the note as a PDF.

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill forms and add text

read Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store (the free version is sufficient for most people). Open the app, tap the + button, and select the PDF from your Files app or iCloud Drive. Once the PDF is open, tap the pencil icon at the bottom to enter edit mode.

You can now add text by tapping where you want to type, fill in form fields by tapping on them, draw or highlight with the pen tool, and add your signature by tapping the signature icon. Adobe Acrobat Reader recognizes form fields automatically, so if you are filling out a standard form, the fields will be clickable and ready for input.

When you finish editing, tap Done, then tap the three-dot menu and select Save a Copy or Share. Saving a copy stores the edited PDF in your Files app so you can send it via email or messaging apps. This is the most straightforward way to fill out PDF forms on iPhone.

Using Notability or GoodNotes for handwriting and annotations

Both Notability and GoodNotes are paid apps (around $10 to $15 each) designed for taking notes and annotating documents with a stylus or your finger. If you have an Apple Pencil and an iPad, these apps are more powerful, but they also work on iPhone.

Open either app, create a new note, and import your PDF by tapping the import button and selecting the file. You can then write directly on the PDF, highlight text, add typed notes in the margins, and organize pages. Both apps convert your handwriting to searchable text, so you can find notes you wrote weeks ago by searching for keywords.

The main advantage over Notes or Adobe Acrobat Reader is that these apps are built for annotation work — they have better pen pressure sensitivity, more brush styles, and tools for organizing multiple documents. The main disadvantage is the upfront cost and a steeper learning curve if you are new to digital note-taking.

Exporting and sharing your edited PDF

How you share your edited PDF depends on which app you used. If you marked it up in Notes, take a screenshot of the page, or export the entire note as a PDF by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting Collaborate or Share Note as PDF (the exact option varies by iOS version).

If you used Adobe Acrobat Reader, tap the three-dot menu after editing and select Share. Choose your method — email, Messages, AirDrop, or saving to Files. The edited PDF will be sent as a file that the recipient can open and edit further if needed.

For Notability or GoodNotes, tap the share icon (usually a square with an arrow), select Export as PDF, and choose your destination. Both apps let you export individual pages or the entire document, and you can choose whether to flatten the document (merge all your notes into the background) or keep layers separate.

When to convert a PDF to edit the original text

If you need to change the actual text inside a PDF — not just add notes on top of it — you will need to convert the PDF to a Word document or Google Doc first. On iPhone, the easiest way is to use a free online converter like Smallpdf or ILovePDF, or use Google Docs.

To use Google Docs: open Google Drive on your iPhone, tap the + button, select Upload, and choose your PDF. Once uploaded, open the file in Google Docs. Google Docs will convert the PDF to an editable document, though the formatting may shift depending on how complex the original PDF is. You can then edit the text directly, read it as a Word file, or export it back as a PDF.

This process works best for straightforward PDFs with mostly text. Complex layouts, images, or special fonts may not convert perfectly. For professional document editing, most people do this work on a computer rather than an iPhone.

Choosing between built-in tools and third-party apps

Use the Notes app if you only mark up PDFs occasionally and do not need to fill forms. It is free, fast, and requires no new app installation. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader if you regularly fill out PDF forms or need to add typed text and signatures. Use Notability or GoodNotes if you annotate documents frequently and want better handwriting tools and organization.

The built-in tools are sufficient for most people. Third-party apps become worth the cost only if you spend significant time annotating PDFs — for example, if you are a student marking up lecture slides daily, or a professional reviewing documents with detailed notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the text inside a PDF on iPhone without converting it?

No. iPhone PDF apps can only add notes, highlights, and signatures on top of a PDF. To change the actual text, you must convert the PDF to a Word document or Google Doc first, edit it there, and export it back as a PDF if needed.

Is Adobe Acrobat Reader free on iPhone?

Yes, the basic version is free and includes form filling, text boxes, highlighting, and signatures. Adobe offers a paid subscription (Acrobat Premium) for more advanced features like converting PDFs to Word documents, but most people do not need it.

What is the difference between Notability and GoodNotes?

Both are handwriting-focused annotation apps with similar features. Notability is slightly cheaper and syncs across devices via iCloud. GoodNotes has a larger community and more template options. Try the free trials or read recent reviews to see which interface you prefer.

Can I edit a PDF in Safari without downloading an app?

Safari does not have built-in PDF editing tools on iPhone. You can view PDFs in Safari, but to mark them up, you must either open them in Notes, Files, or read a dedicated app like Adobe Acrobat Reader.

How do I add a signature to a PDF on iPhone?

In Notes, tap the pen icon, then tap the + button and select Signature. Sign on the screen with your finger, and it will be added to the PDF. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, tap the signature icon and sign the same way. Both apps save your signature so you can reuse it on future documents.