How to Type on a PDF on iPhone (3 Methods)

In today’s digital world, PDFs have become an essential format for sharing and storing documents. From contracts and invoices to resumes and academic papers, PDFs are widely used due to their compatibility and fixed formatting. 

As more people rely on their iPhones for productivity, it’s crucial to have efficient tools and techniques for typing on PDFs directly from your device. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to type on a PDF on iPhone, empowering you to handle various tasks with ease.

First and foremost, we will explore the seamless process of typing on Fillable PDF forms, which is incredibly straightforward. Additionally, we will delve into two distinct methods: typing PDFs on an iPhone without relying on third-party apps and leveraging the capabilities of third-party apps for the same purpose. 

By shedding light on these approaches, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively type on PDFs using your iPhone. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and unlock the secrets to efficient PDF typing on your iPhone!

How to type on a Fillable PDF on iPhone

Fillable PDF forms are interactive forms that allow users to enter and edit text within specific fields directly on the document. These forms often include various types of fields, such as text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdown menus. By typing on these forms using your iPhone, you can provide the necessary information and complete the form digitally.

This type of PDF document is widely used for a variety of purposes, such as job applications, surveys, and registration forms. Being able to fill out these forms directly from your iPhone can save time and improve productivity. 

Whether you need to complete a form for personal or professional reasons, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to do so efficiently.

Thus, to type on a fillable PDF on iPhone, obey the instructions below:

• Open the Files app on your iPhone.
• Locate the fillable PDF form you want to type on.
• Tap on the PDF form to open it.
• To activate the form fields, tap on any text field or interactive element within the PDF.
• A keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap on a text field to activate it and start typing the required information.
• If the form contains checkboxes, radio buttons, or dropdown menus, tap on them to make selections.
• Continue typing and selecting options as required by the form.
• If needed, you can navigate to different sections or pages of the form by scrolling or using the navigation buttons within the PDF.
• After you have completed filling the form, tap “Done” or close the keyboard.
• To save your changes, tap the “Back” arrow in the top-left corner of the screen.
• If prompted, choose to save the form as a new file or overwrite the existing file.

The filled-out form will be saved with your typed information.

By following these steps, you can easily type on fillable PDF forms using the Files app on your iPhone.

How to Type on a PDF on iPhone Without Using Third-Party Apps 

While there are numerous third-party apps available for editing and typing on PDFs on an iPhone, did you know that you can accomplish this without relying on additional software? 

In this section, we will explore the built-in methods and tools provided by the iPhone’s native features to enable you to type on a PDF document seamlessly. This method comes with some limitations though. For this reason, later we will then show you how to seamlessly edit and type on any PDF document on iPhone using third-party apps.

Without any further ado, let’s get started.

Using Markup Tools in the Files App on iPhone

One of the most convenient ways to type on a PDF document without using third-party apps is by utilizing the markup tools available in the Files app. 

Follow these steps to get started:

• Open the Files app on your iPhone.
• Navigate to the location where your PDF document is stored.
• Tap on the PDF file to open it.
• Once the document is open, tap on the screen to reveal the toolbar at the bottom or at the top depending the version of ios you are using.
• Locate and tap on the Markup icon (looks like a pen tip within a circle).

• Select the Text tool from the Markup toolbar. Depending on your ios version, you may not see the text tool yet. If that happens, tap on the + button to reveal the Text tool.

• After taping on the + button, the text tool should appear. Tap on it as well.

• The text box should appear. Click and drag it to the area of the PDF where you want to insert text.
• Then tap inside the box and start typing your desired text.

• You can adjust the font style, size, and color by tapping on the Aa icon in the Markup toolbar.

• After typing your text, tap outside the text box to apply the changes.
• Use the handles on the text box to resize or reposition it as needed.
• Repeat the process to add more text to the PDF document.
• Once you have finished typing on the PDF, tap Done in the top-right corner to save your changes.

By following these steps, you can easily type on a PDF document using the Markup tools in the Files app on your iPhone.

Limitations of Using Markup Tools in the Files App

Although this method provides convenience, there are certain limitations to be aware of:

1. The major limitation of this method is that it only allows you to add new text to the document but does not provide the ability to edit existing text. This means that you can’t make changes or modifications to that existing text using Markup Tools. The tools are primarily designed for inserting new text and annotations rather than directly editing the content that is already present in the PDF. Therefore, if you need to make edits or modifications to the pre-existing text within the PDF, you may need to explore alternative methods or specialized PDF editing apps that offer more robust editing capabilities. We will talk about all these in the upcoming sections.
2. Limited annotation options: While Markup Tools allow you to type on PDFs on iPhone, the annotation options may be limited. You may not have access to features like highlighting, underlining, or adding comments to the text. This can hinder your ability to annotate and mark up the PDF effectively.
3. Inability to handle complex PDF elements: Markup Tools in the Files app may not support certain complex PDF elements, such as interactive forms, multimedia elements, or complex layouts. If the PDF contains these elements, you may not be able to interact with or modify them using the Markup Tools.
4. Lack of OCR capabilities: Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a technology that converts scanned or image-based text into editable and searchable text. Markup Tools in the Files app typically lack OCR capabilities, making it challenging to edit and type on PDFs that contain non-editable or scanned text.
5. Limited organization and management features: The Markup Tools in the Files app primarily focus on annotation and simple adding of basic text. However, they may not provide robust organization and management features, such as rearranging pages, merging or splitting PDFs, or creating bookmarks. This can make it more difficult to efficiently organize and navigate through PDF documents.

While Markup Tools in the Files app offer basic functionality for typing on PDFs, it’s important to consider these limitations when working with more complex or feature-rich PDF documents. If you require advanced editing, annotation, or organization capabilities, exploring specialized PDF editing apps may provide a more comprehensive and tailored experience.

Typing on PDF with Third-Party Apps on iPhone (Specialized PDF Editing Apps for iPhone)

While iPhones come with a native PDF viewing capability, their built-in apps have limitations when it comes to typing directly on PDF documents. 

To overcome these limitations, specialized PDF editing apps offer a range of features and functionalities tailored specifically for efficient PDF editing. 

Understanding the differences and advantages of these apps will help you choose the right one for your needs.

Before diving into the intricacies of typing on PDFs on iPhone, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the user interface and tools provided by PDF editing apps. 

We will guide you through the best apps, and how to go about the whole process with one of these apps on your iPhone. 

Best Apps for Editing and Typing on PDF on iPhone

When it comes to editing PDFs on an iPhone, there are several exceptional third-party apps available that provide robust features and a seamless user experience. 

Here are some of the best third-party apps for editing PDFs on iPhone:

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader is a highly popular and feature-rich PDF editor that allows you to view, edit, type, annotate, and sign PDF documents. With its comprehensive set of tools, you can easily add or modify text, insert images, highlight text, draw shapes, and even fill out forms. The app also offers advanced features like OCR, password protection, and seamless integration with cloud storage services.
2. PDF Expert: PDF Expert is an award-winning PDF editor that offers a wide range of editing capabilities on your iPhone. It enables you to type, annotate, highlight, and underline text, add or delete pages, merge or split PDFs, and fill out forms. The app provides a user-friendly interface, smooth navigation, and seamless synchronization with cloud storage services. It also supports password protection and offers advanced document management features.
3. GoodReader: GoodReader is a versatile PDF editor that offers comprehensive editing and annotation tools. Along with basic editing features, such as adding text and images, you can also highlight text, draw shapes, and create bookmarks. GoodReader supports various file formats and provides advanced file management options, including organizing files into folders and syncing with popular cloud storage services.
4. Notability: While primarily known as a note-taking app, Notability also offers powerful PDF editing capabilities. It allows you to type, annotate, highlight, and underline text, as well as add images, audio recordings, and handwritten notes to your PDF documents. The app offers a smooth writing experience and seamless integration with cloud storage platforms.

These third-party apps offer extensive features and a user-friendly experience for editing and typing on PDF on iPhone. 

Each app has its own unique strengths, so consider your specific requirements and preferences when choosing the one that best suits your needs.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering PDF typing on your iPhone is essential in today’s digital world. PDFs are widely used for document sharing and storage, and with more people relying on iPhones for productivity, it’s important to have efficient editing tools. 

This guide provided step-by-step instructions for typing on fillable PDF forms and explored methods both with and without third-party apps. By using the built-in Markup tools or specialized PDF editing apps, you can enhance your PDF typing experience on your iPhone.