How to sign a PDF document on your Android phone
All too often, when you need to sign a PDF, you’re forced to physically print out the file, sign it with a pen, and scan it back onto your computer again. It’s a waste of time, paper, and ink. If you own an Android device, know that you can sign your PDF directly from your device.
One solution is to download a third-party app, but if you can’t or don’t want to do that, there are other options you can rely on. In this tutorial, TheGhanaTech.com will be taking you through some options.
How to sign a PDF document on your Android phone
- Use a Dedicated Web Tool
If there’s no Wi-Fi in your vicinity, and you don’t want to use up data to download an app, just use one of the websites that offer the option to sign your documents. One of these sites is SmallPDF, which boasts a collection of tools, including “eSign PDF.”
- Open your mobile browser and navigate to the eSign PDF tool from SmallPDF.
- Tap on the “Choose File” button or press the upward arrow to upload it from Dropbox or Google Drive
- Your PDF will be displayed on the screen, and you have a few options when it comes to signing. You can opt to draw or upload your signature by pressing on the first icon at the top, then “Your Signature” at the bottom.
- On the next screen, use your finger to draw your signature.
- Alternatively, tap on “Upload” on the left and upload a file featuring your signature.
- You can also opt to add just your initials. Tap on the second button from the left at the top of the menu, then “Your Initials.” You’ll get the same two options to draw and upload.
- If you want to have a digitally written signature, this is also possible by tapping on the third button at the top.
- Input your name and customize the text. For example, you can change its color.
- You can add a date next to your signature by pressing the relevant button.
- Once you’ve added the signature to the document, use your finger to drag the text where you want it positioned.
- You can enlarge or shrink the signature by pinching it with your fingers.
- When everything is the way you want it, tap on the “Finish & Sign” button at the bottom.
- Wait a few seconds for your document to be ready. Press “Download” to save it to your phone.
- It’s possible to add multiple signatures to the document. Tap the “Signature” button again and select “Add Signature.”
- Both signatures will be available to you as long as you do not terminate the session. If you want to save these signatures, you’ll need to make an account with SmallPDF.
- Use your Phone’s Built-in Options
Some Android phones, for instance, Samsung phones come with a built-in option that allows you to sign a PDF. Here’s how to use that function:
- Find the PDF in question on your device (via the Files app) and open it using Samsung’s preinstalled Notes app (PDF reader).
- Press on the “Pencil” icon in the upper-right corner.
- You’ll notice a menu of markup options at the bottom. Tap on the first icon to select the type of pen you’d like to write with, as well as the pen’s color and thickness.
- Use your finger to handwrite the signature directly where you want it on the PDF.
- You won’t be able to resize the signature once you’ve created it, so make sure you are careful when drawing it, or else you will have to start the process all over again.
- Press “Save” to save your signed document.
- If your PDF has arrived via Gmail, you can go straight to adding a signature directly from the mail app.
- Press on the File icon and select the Samsung Notes (PDF Viewer) option to go straight to the app. Follow steps #2 through #4 to create a signature for your document.
