How To Edit a PDF on an iPhone for Free

But there’s a catch. Not every app can edit existing text inside a PDF. Most native tools only let you annotate (highlight, draw, or add new text boxes), while real text editing requires specialized tools that recognize and modify the original text.

We’ll show you three easy methods to edit PDFs on iPhone:

• the built-in Files app
• the Smallpdf mobile app
• and Smallpdf’s browser-based PDF Editor

Each works a little differently, depending on what kind of edits you need to make.

Annotate PDFs on iPhone with the Built-in Files App

You can make quick markups and add notes to a PDF using tools built right into your iPhone. These tools are great for annotating, not editing existing text.

Here’s how to edit a PDF on an iPhone using the Files app: 1. Open your PDF through the Files app on your iPhone. 2. Tap the markup icon (pen tip) to access the PDF editing tools. 3. Use the built-in tools to highlight and add text to your PDF. 4. Tap ‘Done’ to save your changes.

With the Files app, you can:

• Highlight words or phrases
• Draw or write with your finger
• Add text boxes or shapes
• Insert your signature
• Rotate or add new pages

However, you can’t change the original text inside the PDF. That requires OCR technology, which isn’t included in the iPhone’s built-in markup tools.

Edit and Annotate PDFs on iPhone with the Smallpdf App

The Smallpdf All-in-One PDF App lets you both annotate and, with the right tools, edit existing text. You can fill in forms, sign documents, and use OCR-based features (available with Pro access) to change text directly in your PDF.

It’s the most flexible option if you regularly work with PDFs on your iPhone.

Here’s how to edit a PDF document on your iPhone with the Smallpdf app: 1. Download and install the Smallpdf PDF App from the App Store . 2. Open the app and tap the + button to select your PDF from Files or iCloud. 3. Edit your PDF using the pen, highlighter, text tools, and other markup tools. 4. Save or share your edited PDF directly from the app.

What you can do for free (with some daily limits):

• Annotate with pen, highlighter, and text tools.
• Fill out PDF forms.
• Add signatures and stamps.
• Compress, merge, and split PDFs.
• Convert between file formats.
• Work offline without internet connection.

If you need to make multiple edits per day, or if you want to try paid features like PDF OCR, you’ll need to sign up for a Pro account.

Key advantages:

• The user-friendly interface is easy to navigate.
• Includes powerful PDF features for advanced editing needs.
• Offline mode allows PDF editing without an internet connection.

And it’s not just for editing PDFs. You can also convert between numerous file types, as well as compress , sign , and merge PDFs right from your iPhone. As thousands of App Store reviewers attest, this will save you lots of PDF headaches.

We also understand that not everyone wants another app on their phone. If that’s your case, the next browser-based option lets you edit PDFs on your iPhone with no download needed.

Edit PDFs on iPhone Online (No App Download)

For people who don’t want to download additional apps, but still want a powerful, user-friendly option, Smallpdf also offers a browser-based PDF editor.

Works on any browser and it’s fast, free, and works perfectly on any iPhone. The best part: you don’t have to sign up or provide any personal information to use it.

Here’s how to edit a PDF on an iPhone with Smallpdf: 1. Open any web browser and go to the Smallpdf PDF Editor. 2. Click to choose your image, or drag and drop it into the box. 3. Add textboxes, shapes, images, signatures, and more in the Annotate tab. 4. Edit existing PDF document text in the Edit tab (Pro feature). 5. Click to Download your PDF, or Export it to Word, Excel, or other common formats.

Before downloading your edited PDF file, you’ll also have options to convert, compress, and flatten your PDF if desired. Flattening a PDF merges your new edits with the original document into a single uneditable layer.

Files automatically deleted: When you’re done, all files are deleted from Smallpdf’s servers. So, you can rest assured your documents are safe and secure.

All of this can be done for free, and it works on any device, so keep it in mind when you’re back on your Mac (or PC).

The biggest limitation of this method is that you need an internet connection to edit your PDFs. If that’s not a problem for you, then your iPhone has access to the most user-friendly PDF superpowers on the planet, without downloading new software or signing up for a new service.

How To Edit Existing Text in a PDF on iPhone

If your goal is to change the actual words or sentences inside a PDF—not just add new text—your iPhone can do this using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) through the Smallpdf PDF Editor. OCR converts scanned or image-based PDFs into editable text.

Here’s how to edit existing text in a PDF on iPhone using Smallpdf: 1. Open the Smallpdf PDF Editor in your iPhone browser. 2. Upload your PDF. You can drag and drop it or tap to select from Files or iCloud. 3. Go to the “Edit” tab. This lets you change existing text directly. 4. Make your edits. Fix typos, adjust layout, or reformat text. 5. Save and download. Export the edited file back to your device or share it via link.

Smallpdf uses secure, one-hour file deletion and Swiss-grade encryption to keep your documents private.

For even more control—like offline access and unlimited edits—you can use the Smallpdf app from the App Store.

Start Editing PDFs on iPhone Free Today

If you need to edit a PDF on your iPhone, you now know three free ways to do it.

You may have noticed that this is a Smallpdf article recommending Smallpdf tools. Yeah, we admit we’re biased, but not without reason. Smallpdf has been around for over 10 years and trusted by over 1.7 billion people, so we know we’re offering best-in-class PDF performance.

But you don’t need to take our word for it. Just have a look at those App Store reviews. Or go try it out yourself—I’m pretty sure we mentioned it’s free.

Ready to unlock all PDF editing features? Start your free trial to access all Smallpdf tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit PDF text on iPhone for free?

You can’t edit existing PDF text for free using native iPhone tools, but you can add new text boxes. For editing existing text, you’ll need OCR features available in Smallpdf’s Pro plan.

How do I fill out a PDF form on iPhone?

Use the Smallpdf app or Files app to tap on form fields and type directly. The Smallpdf app offers the most comprehensive form-filling tools for complex documents.

Can I sign PDFs on iPhone without paying?

Yes! Both the Files app and Smallpdf’s free version let you add signatures to PDFs. Just tap the + icon in the Files app or use the signature tool in Smallpdf.

What’s the best free PDF editor for iPhone?

It depends on your needs. For quick annotations, use the built-in Files app. For comprehensive editing with offline capabilities, try the Smallpdf app. For occasional use without downloads, use our online editor.