How to Sign a PDF for Free on Any Device

Before exploring methods for signing PDFs, it’s essential to understand which type of signature suits your needs:

If your document doesn’t require strict security or legal standards, e-signatures are a practical choice. The following methods focus on how to sign PDFs easily using e-signatures.

For a visual guide, watch this video for a detailed walkthrough of signing PDFs on different devices.

How to Sign PDF Online for Free

Signing PDFs online is quick and easy, with no need for downloads. While most platforms require accounts, PDFgear offers a free, ad-free, and watermark-free solution.

Compatible with Linux, Windows, macOS, and mobile browsers, you can sign PDFs anytime, on any device.

Step 1. Access the PDFgear online editor in your web browser. And click “Select PDF File” to open a PDF.

Step 2. Click the “Add or Edit Annotations” icon, then select the Pen icon to add a signature.

Choose from three signature options: upload, type, or draw. Adjust the signature’s position, size, and alignment as needed.

Step 3. Click “Downloaded file” to save the signed PDF to your device.

How to Sign PDF on Windows

PDFgear is a free, watermark-free PDF signing app that allows you to add signatures quickly and easily. Its intuitive interface makes it ideal for filling out and signing PDFs on Windows.

Step 1. Download PDFgear and open a PDF.

Step 2. Go to the “Edit” toolbar, select “Signature,” and click “Create Signature.”

Step 3. Upload a signature image, type your name, or draw your signature.

Step 4. Position the signature in the desired location. Use the “Place on Multiple Pages” option if needed, then flatten it to complete the process.

Additionally, you can add a signature to a PDF on Windows with many methods, such as using Microsoft Edge.

How to Sign PDF on Mac

While the built-in Preview app allows you to add signatures on Mac, PDFgear takes it further by offering features like PDF form filling, text editing, batch printing, and PDF sharing—all in one tool.

Additionally, PDFgear is compatible with all macOS devices, making it easy to sign PDFs on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air.

Step 1. Download PDFgear on your Mac and open the PDF with PDFgear.

Step 2. Navigate to the “Fill & Sign” toolbar, click “Signature”, and select “Create Signature”.

Three signature methods are available: Type, Trackpad, and Image.

Step 3. Place the signature in your desired position and click on it to select “Apply Signature” to finalize it.

Bonus Tip: If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can use Preview to sign PDFs via your iPhone or iPad. Just ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and logged in with the same Apple ID.

How to Sign PDF on iPhone/iPad

Signing with the iPhone’s built-in function doesn’t ensure the security or integrity of the signed file.

However, PDFgear offers a more secure and reliable option for signing on your iPhone or iPad. It not only flattens your signature to prevent unauthorized alterations but also allows you to fill in forms and complete documents with ease.

Step 1. Download PDFgear from the App Store and open your PDF file in the app.

Step 2. Tap “Edit” in the top-right corner, select Fill & Sign from the toolbar, tap the Signature icon, and choose “Create Signature” to add your signature by typing, drawing, uploading, or taking a photo.

Step 3. Place the signature anywhere on your PDF, then tap it to flatten and secure it.

What’s more, compared to using built-in apps to sign PDFs on an iPhone, PDFgear offers additional editing features, such as filling out PDF forms, adding fillable text boxes, and inserting stamps into PDFs, among others.

How to Sign PDF on Android

PDFgear is a piece of versatile PDF editing software available on all platforms, enabling you to sign PDFs on Android for free.

You can sign documents in four simple ways: type your name, draw it, upload a signature image, or take a photo.

Step 1. Download PDFgear from Google Play and open a PDF.

Step 2. Tap “Edit”, choose “Fill & Sign” from the top selectable tab, and click the “Signature” button.

Step 3. Tap “Create Signature” to draw, type, or upload your signature, then position it on your PDF.

In addition, PDFgear works across all devices, allowing you to sign PDFs even on Android tablets.

FAQs

Can I place the same signature on multiple pages?

Yes, in PDFgear, after creating your signature, you can right-click on it and select “Place on Multiple Pages” to apply it to all pages, odd pages, even pages, or a custom page range.

How do I flatten or lock my signature?

To flatten or lock your signature in place so it cannot be modified, click on the signature and select “Flatten”. This operation cannot be undone.

Can I sign PDFs online with PDFgear?

Yes, PDFgear provides an online editor that allows you to upload, sign, and download PDF files without installing any software. Just go to the PDFgear online PDF editor, upload your PDF, add your signature, and download the signed file.

Is PDFgear free to use?

Yes, PDFgear is free to sign PDFs and perform other PDF editing tasks, with no watermarks or restrictions on the downloaded files.

Can I save my signature in PDFgear for future use?

Yes, when creating a new signature, there is an option to “Save Signature,” which stores it in PDFgear’s signature library for easy access later.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a simple way to sign or fill in your PDF documents, PDF signers are the way to go.

The top recommendation is PDFgear. It lets you sign your PDFs seamlessly without any platform restrictions or costs. Whether you prefer an online or offline solution, PDFgear consistently delivers excellent performance.