Well, you could scout around for an app, download and figure out how to use it. Or just edit the PDF on your iPhone. Yes, there is a way in which you can edit a PDF on your iPhone without having to install any additional apps. And not just “Markup and Highlight” editing options but options that allow you to change orientation, add text, and even your signature to a PDF. With the release of iOS 15, Apple added the ability to edit PDFs on iPhone, and it can be done by using one of the native apps on the phone – Files.
How to Edit PDF on iPhone Using Files App
Files is an app that comes pre-installed on iOS devices. As its name indicates, it is basically a file organizing tool. But it has a number of other abilities as well, one of which is to let you edit PDFs. You do not have to install any third-party app, and the editing process is pretty simple as well. All you have to do is follow these steps:
Step 0: Make sure your iPhone has iOS 15
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is that this is an iOS 15 feature which means you have to make sure that your iPhone is updated. It is a massive plus point that Apple delivers new updates to even older generation iPhones which means iPhones as old as iPhone 6s and iPhone SE (first generation) are eligible for the update.
Step 1: Open PDF in Files app
Open the PDF you wish to edit in the Files app on your iPhone. For this, go to Files, which comes pre-installed in iPhones, search for the PDF by name and tap it open. Incidentally, you can save any PDF received by you on your iPhone in the Files app.
Step 2: Tap on the ‘marker’ icon
Once opened, the PDF will have a small ‘marker’ icon on the top left side of the display. Tap on the icon. This will present you with a number of editing tools, including different markers like pens, pencils, scales, and highlighters.
Step 3: Press the “+” to do more
If you wish to add text, magnify a part, add a signature or a box to the PDF, tap on the tiny “+” icon present on the bottom right side of the editing tools school. This will give you another set of options, including the ability to add text, signature, and different shapes to the PDF. You can select the one which suits your needs.
Step 4: Use the sidebar to view multiple pages
Apart from these editing options, there are a few more that one can use to edit PDFs using the Files app on the iPhone. To access these options, you have to swipe right from the top left side of the screen. Doing this will open a sidebar that will show all the pages in the PDF, one below the other. Using this sidebar, you can simply select the page you want to edit by tapping on it.
Step 5: Change orientation, insert a page, and more
Once you have selected the page that you wish to edit, you can, of course, tap on the ‘marker’ icon on the top right corner of the screen. But there’s more: tapping on the ‘three dots’ on the page in the sidebar will offer you five new editing options. These options include the ability to change the orientation of the page – you can choose to rotate the page Left or Right using the first two options present in the list. You can also add a new blank page to your PDF by selecting the “Insert Blank Page” choice, or you can select and insert another document from the Files app. There is also an option in the list to scan a document and add it to the PDF directly.
Step 6: Merge multiple PDFs to make a single PDF
You can also select and merge two or more PDFs and bring them into a single PDF. To do this, in the Files app, you have to tap on the ‘three tiny dots’ icon on the top right side of the screen. You can then press “Select” from the list and then tap and select the PDFs you wish to merge. After selecting the files, you have to head to the same ‘three tiny dots’ icon, but this time it will be on the bottom right side of the screen. Tap on it, and you will find the option to “Create PDF.” You simply have to click on the option, and Voila! A single PDF will be created. And Done! After you are through with your edits, you can simply tap on “Done” on the top left side of your screen, and the edited version of the PDF will be saved on your device. You can tap on the name of the PDF to rename it if you wish. Related Read: How to Split PDF Online without Downloading any App
How to Edit PDF on iPhone online
Another alternative to the Files app are the online PDF editors, which also let you edit PDFs on iPhone without having to download any app. We suggest PDF Candy which is free and easy-to-use tool. Here’s how you go about it. Step 1: Open the PDF Candy website on your browser of choice and tap on the “Add File” button.
Step 2: Select the PDF you want to edit. You get options for adding text, arrows, images, shape highlights, signatures, and more.
Step 3: Make the edits as you like and tap the Export File button on the bottom.
Step 4: That’s it! Your edited PDF is ready to use.
On Mac, you can use the Preview app which lets you edit pdf documents for free. But ensure you are using macOS Catalina and above. In case you are looking to electronically sign PDF document on iPhone, we have a guide for that as well.
