Already dreading to print, sign, scan and possibly repeat — then you realize there’s no printer at hand? On an iPhone, there’s a quicker and easier way. Find out here how to set up a signature for adding to PDF files on an iPhone ⤓.
First, Senatorial Sweetness
All desks are not equal, nor are all drawers the same. One drawer in particular stands out in the U.S. Senate as the sweetest of them all.
When Senator George Murphy began doling out lozenges to colleagues left and right, the tradition stuck. The desk nearest a busy door became known as the “candy desk,” always stocked with signature sweets from the Senator’s home state for all to enjoy.
Now, you’ve got a sweet signature, right? Let’s give it the candy desk treatment — always stocked and ready to share on forms and PDFs:
How to Set up a Signature for PDF Documents in Preview on an iPhone
Time needed: 3 minutes
To add a new signature to Preview on iPhone (to insert into PDF documents):
- Open the Preview app.
- Tap New Document.
Something old: You can also open an existing document, of course.
- Choose New Empty Image.
- Move your phone to landscape orientation.
Here’s why: This will give you more space to write your signature later; you cannot switch to landscape orientation in the signature editor.
- Open the markup toolbar.
Here’s how: Tap the circled pen.
- Tap + in the markup toolbar.
- Select Add Signature.
- Choose Add or Remove Signature.
- Tap +.
- Use your finger to sign on the line.
- Optional: Add a label to the signature.
Here’s how: Click New Signature, then select a label or choose Custom Label to add a new label.
- Tap the checkmark ✔.
Their word: Apple include information on adding signatures in the Preview User Guide.
- Optional: Delete the temporary document.
Here’s how: Tap ＜ to close the Untitled document, tap and hold the temporary document on the Recents tab and select Show in Enclosing Folder; now tap and hold the temporary document again and select Delete from the context menu.
Now and then: The signature is automatically saved, and you can insert it into PDF documents as you go in Preview for iPhone.
Went for the original digitus?
Tips help fuel these email and tech how-tos.
How to Set up a Signature for PDF Documents in Preview on an iPhone: FAQ
Can I scan a signature with Preview?
No.
You can use Preview on a Mac to scan a handwritten signature on paper. Signatures from macOS Preview will synchronize with Preview on iPhone and iPad, so you can add them to documents on these devices.
Will the signature added on iPhone also appear on Macs and iPads?
Yes.
Signatures synchronize automatically across all devices signed into the same Apple account with iCloud enabled for Preview.
Can I use a pen to sign?
Yes.
You can use a capacitative stylus to jot your signature on an iPhone instead of your finger’s tip.
(Tested with iOS 26.0–26.4; first published October 2025, last updated April 2026)