How to fill out a PDF on iPhone

If the PDF has form fields, open it in Files, tap Markup and tap a field to type. If you can't type in it, the PDF has no fields – it's just a printed page – and you add the text yourself. Both are free on iPhone. Here's how.

PDFs with form fields

1. Open the PDF from Mail or the Files app. If you're asked to open it in Files, tap Save first.
2. Tap the Markup button (the pen tip), tap an empty field and type.
3. If your iPhone offers to fill several fields at once with AutoFill from your contact card, check the suggestions before you tap Fill.
4. Tap Done and share the PDF.

Apple's guide

Why can't I type in this PDF?

Usually because the PDF has no form fields. It was scanned, or saved from a word processor as a plain page, so there's nothing to tap into. You have two options:

• Markup: tap +, then Add Text Form Box, drag the box onto the line and type. One new box for each spot.
• Udfyld: tap where you want to write. Udfyld finds the printed line and sets your text neatly on it. The date, a tick and a cross are one tap each.

A PDF can also be locked against changes with a password. Then only the sender can unlock it, so ask them for a copy you can fill in.

The recipient can't see what I wrote

Some PDF readers don't show text in form fields the way your iPhone does, so the recipient sees an empty form. The fix is to make the text part of the page before you send it. In Udfyld, turn on Lock the fields when you save. Then every PDF reader shows the same.

Fill out PDFs with Udfyld

Udfyld is a free iPhone app for the forms you get by email. No account, no ads, and nothing is uploaded: the PDF is read and saved on your iPhone.

1. In Mail, tap the attachment, tap Share and choose Udfyld.
2. Tap a field to fill it in, or tap the printed line on a PDF without fields.
3. Sign with your finger if it needs a signature.
4. Save. Udfyld saves a copy and never changes the original unless you choose to.

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