01
Open your PDF
Choose it from Mail or Files.
Open the attachment from your mail app
Every mail app hides the Share button in a slightly different place.
| Mail app | Open the PDF | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Mail | Tap the attachment | Tap the Share button, choose eSign PDF |
| Gmail | Tap the attachment preview | Tap the Share or ⋯ button, choose eSign PDF (or Save to Files first) |
| Outlook | Tap the attachment | Tap the Share button, choose eSign PDF |
| Anything else | Save the PDF to Files | Open Files, touch and hold the PDF, tap Share |
The whole flow in one take: Mail, Share, eSign PDF, date, signature, signed.
No cuts in the signing. The app timed it at 20 seconds.
After signing, Email hands the signed copy to your mail app to reply with.
Open your PDF. Add your signature. Send it back.Sign it, then reply in the same thread
1
Sign where they asked
Tap the signature spot, add your signature, and fill in the date if there's a date line.
2
Export the signed copy
Tap export. Export locks the signature into the page, so it shows on their computer too.
3
Reply, don't start a new email
Go back to their email, tap Reply, and attach the signed PDF from Files. People often miss a new email with no subject.
A reply you can copy
"Hi, I've attached the signed copy. Let me know if you need anything else." Short is fine. Keep the original file name so they can match it.
Why people get asked to send it again
- ✕They attached the original, unsigned file by mistake. Check the file name and open it once before you send.
- ✕They signed but missed the date or initials on page 2.
- ✕The signature shows on their iPhone but not on the other person's Windows laptop. That one has its own fix: can't sign a PDF on iPhone.
- ✕They sent it from a different email address than the one the request went to.
Free first, if it's simple
For a one-page form going to someone on an iPhone or Mac, Apple's Markup is enough. Tap the attachment, tap the pen, tap +, then Add Signature. Mail then offers to reply with it. The full walkthrough is in how to sign a PDF on iPhone. If the PDF is a long form with boxes to fill, see how to fill out and sign a PDF form.
Long form, or they're on Windows?
Sign it and reply in a minute
eSign PDF finds the signature and date spots, locks your signature into the page, and hands the file back to your mail app.
Sign the PDFFirst export free, then $59.99 once (US). No account.
FAQ
Should I reply or forward the signed PDF?+
Reply. It keeps the signed copy in the same thread as their request, so they can find it.
I can't find the Share button in Gmail.+
Open the attachment preview, then look for the Share or ⋯ button. If it's not there, choose Save to Files and open the PDF from Files.
Do I have to print it out to sign it?+
Usually no. If the sender asks for ink on paper, do what they ask.
They said my signature is missing.+
Their computer probably didn't show it. See our page on fixing a signature that doesn't show up.