How to Edit, Sign and Fill Out PDFs for Free on Any Device

A lease, a school permission slip, a tax form or an HR document arrives as a PDF, and you need to fill it out, sign it and send it back. Printing, signing and scanning still works, but it isn't necessary. The devices you already own include free tools that handle most PDF jobs. You only need paid software if you regularly rewrite text inside PDFs or manage complex documents.

Which free tool to use

Features change with software updates and app versions, so menus may look slightly different on your device.

On a Mac: Preview does almost everything

Preview, the app that opens PDFs by default on a Mac, is one of the most capable free PDF tools available.

• Fill out forms: click into fillable fields and type. For forms without fields, open the Markup toolbar and use the text tool to place text anywhere.
• Sign: in the Markup toolbar, choose the signature button. You can create a signature by drawing on the trackpad, holding a signature written on paper up to the camera, or using a connected iPhone. Preview saves it for reuse.
• Merge and reorder: show thumbnails in the sidebar, then drag pages to reorder them, drag in pages from another PDF to combine files, or delete pages you don't need.
• Reduce file size: File > Export offers a Quartz filter to shrink files, though it can lower image quality noticeably.

On iPhone and iPad: Markup

Open a PDF in the Files app, or tap an attachment in Mail, then tap the Markup (pen) icon.

• Tap the plus button to add text, a signature, shapes or a magnifier.
• Many fillable forms let you tap directly into fields.
• Saved signatures sync for reuse.
• To scan a paper document into a PDF, use the document scanner in the Notes app or the Files app; it straightens and crops pages automatically.

On Windows: Microsoft Edge

Windows opens PDFs in Microsoft Edge by default, and Edge's viewer covers the basics:

• Type into fillable form fields.
• Use the Draw tool to sign with a mouse, touchscreen or pen, or Add text to type text anywhere on the page.
• Highlight passages and add comments.
• Save or print to a new PDF.

For signatures that look neater than a mouse-drawn squiggle, Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free, can create a typed or image-based signature and reuse it.

On Android

Phones vary by manufacturer, but two free options work almost everywhere:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader fills forms, adds signatures and comments, and is free in the Google Play Store. Some advanced features require a subscription.
• Google Drive includes a scanner that turns paper documents into PDFs and a viewer for reading and, on many devices, annotating them.

In any browser

Chrome, Edge and Firefox all open PDFs and fill most standard forms. This is handy on a shared or work computer where you can't install software. Download the completed file rather than relying on the browser tab, and open it once to confirm your entries were saved. Some older or unusual forms lose typed data unless you use a full PDF app.

When free tools fall short

Free tools excel at adding things on top of a PDF. They are weaker at changing what's already there. Consider paid software, such as the full version of Adobe Acrobat or a comparable PDF editor, if you regularly need to:

• Rewrite or reformat existing text and images
• Convert PDFs to fully editable Word or Excel files with layouts intact
• Run text recognition (OCR) on scanned documents so they become searchable
• Send documents out for signature by several people with an audit trail
• Apply real redaction, password protection or detailed permissions

Before paying, check whether you already have access. Microsoft Word can open many PDFs and turn them into editable documents, and our comparison of Microsoft 365, Google Docs and free office apps explains what each suite includes. Many employers and schools also license PDF software for staff and students.

Are electronic signatures legal?

For most everyday paperwork in the United States, yes. The federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, adopted by nearly every state, generally give electronic signatures and records the same legal standing as paper ones. Exceptions include wills, certain family-law documents and some court papers, and anyone you're dealing with can still require a handwritten signature. For high-stakes documents, a dedicated e-signature service that records who signed and when provides stronger evidence than a pasted image of your signature.

Handle sensitive PDFs carefully

• Prefer built-in tools for private documents. Free online converters and editors require uploading your file to someone else's server. That's a poor trade for tax forms, medical records or anything with your Social Security number.
• Black boxes are not redaction. Drawing a black rectangle over text usually leaves the text in the file, where it can be copied or revealed. Use a true redaction feature, or print and rescan as a last resort.
• Watch for phishing. "Please review and sign" emails with PDF links are a common scam. If a request is unexpected, contact the sender through a channel you already trust before opening it.
• Store finished documents securely. Signed contracts and IDs belong in an account with strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication. Our guide to cloud storage services compares the main options.

A quick routine for any form

1. Open the PDF in your device's built-in tool.
2. Fill in the fields, or add text boxes where there are none.
3. Add your saved signature and the date.
4. Save a copy with a clear file name, then reopen it to check everything stuck.
5. Send it, and keep the signed copy somewhere you can find it next year.

Set up your signature once and most PDF paperwork takes a couple of minutes, with no printer or scanner needed.