Filling out and signing forms using just your iPhone is easier than you think .
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Sometimes you need to sign or fill out PDF forms while away from your Mac. Here's how to complete these documents on your iPhone or iPad.
The need to fill out a form is an unavoidable fact of life, and digital forms are still based on their paper counterparts. The Mac has long had tools for managing, filling out, and signing forms, but sometimes where you are, only an iPhone or iPad is available.
Recent iOS and iPadOS updates have made it much easier to fill out these documents on smaller device screens without the need for third-party apps. If you regularly fill out a lot of forms, one of these apps may be even more useful.
Filling out a PDF form on your iPad or iPhone
Before you get started, there's a simple step that will save you a lot of time and hassle the more often you fill out forms.
Before you begin, make sure your Contacts card has all the usual information. Name, date of birth, current address, phone numbers and more can be filled in automatically if they are present in the My Card contact in the Contacts app.
If you have been sent a form that you need to fill out in PDF format, simply click on it on your iPhone or iPad. It will open on the markup screen.
Then tap one of the fields on the form, such as Last Name or Address. You may see a pop-up window asking you to get this information from the contact card.
You can also see contact information displayed in the predictive text field on the on-screen keyboard. If none of them are available, tap the small three dots and pen icon at the bottom of the screen and enter the correct answer.
You can use information already in the Contacts app to quickly fill out forms.
If you are filling out the form on behalf of a family member or friend, add their information to Contacts first. When you click on a field, click Select Other to enter someone else's information.
You may need to move the page or go to other pages in the PDF to complete additional fields. When all required fields are completed, click the “Done” button in the upper right corner of the screen if a signature is not required.
When a signature is required
Many forms, especially those , which are based on paper originals, require a signature to ensure completeness. You can create a signature in advance or while filling out the form.
First, open the PDF form on your iPhone or iPad by tapping on it. If you're just creating a signature for future use, any PDF file will do.
The PDF will open with markup. Click the plus sign in the bottom right corner of the screen and select Add signature from the pop-up window.
This will create a blank area where you can sign with your finger or stylus. To best match your written signature, use an iPhone and Apple Pencil stylus or another iPad stylus.
Using an iPad with Apple Pencil provides a more accurate signature
You can label your signature with predefined labels, such as “Legal Name,” or create your own label. You can have more than one signature for future use.
When you are happy with the created signature, click the Done button. You can then resize and place the signature in the PDF document in the desired location.
Click Done once your signature is in the correct location, and the PDF will be resaved to include all of your completed form responses and your signature. The completed form can now be submitted via email or text message, saving a copy for future reference.
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