How to Sign a PDF on Mac: 3 Free Online and Offline Methods

Signing a .pdf document electronically allows for quick approvals for documents, contrasts, etc, without the need for printing, manually signing, or scanning.

This post outlines how to do electronic signature on Mac using the built-in PDF editing tool, Preview, and a free, comprehensive PDF editor, PDFgear, which offers both online and offline solutions.

How to Sign a PDF on Mac in a Free PDF Editor

To efficiently add electronic signatures to PDF files on Mac, including handwritten names, typing names or image signatures, you can bypass the built-in Preview, but you can not overlook the comprehensive free PDF signer – PDFgear for macOS.

PDFgear works on all macOS devices, which allows for easy signing a PDF on MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. You can also use it to electronically sign a PDF on Windows and iOS devices.

Aside from adding signatures to PDFs, PDFgear also lets you fill in a PDF form, edit text in a PDF, print multiple PDFs at once, share a PDF, and more.

Step 1. Download and install PDFgear, open this app on your Mac, and click Open File to open a PDF.

Step 2. Navigate to Fill & Sign, select the Signature icon, and hit Create Signature.

Step 3. Choose the signature type from Keyboard, Trackpad, and Image from the signature window. You can type your name with Keyboard (numorious fonts available), create a handwritten name, or upload a image signature. After you set the signature, click Done.

Step 4. When you click Done, the mouse will automatically drag the signature, and then you drop it to the desired position of the PDF.

How to Sign a .pdf Document in Preview

On macOS devices, the preinstalled app Preview offers an easy way to make and insert electronic signatures into PDF files. This program eliminates the need to install additional software to hand PDF signatures, although it does have some drawbacks.

Typically, it offers 2 methods for adding signatures: using the Trackpad or the Camera.  Only if your iPhone or iPad is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your macOS device, you can use your iPhone/iPad to add a handwritten signature to a PDF.

Additionally, Preview does not allow users to type a name to add to a PDF, which may be less appealing to those who require formal signatures.

Step 1. Double-click a PDF to open it in Preview if you have set Preview the default PDF viewer on your Mac. Alternatively, right-click file, select Open With, and choose Preview to open the PDF.

Step 2. Click the Show Markup Toolbar (like a pencil) button to show the tools. Click the Signature icon and select the Create Signature option.

Step 3. Select the Trackpad or Camera option.

If you choose Trackpad, hit Click Here to Begin, and use your figner to sign your name on the trackpad.

If you prefer to Camera, you need to first sign your name on a white paper, then hold it to be visible to the camera. One drawback of using the Camera is that photos taken with a Mac camera may result in unclear signatures due to lighting and other reasons.

Step 4. Hit Done when you create the signature and it is automatically saved. Click the Signature icon again, and select the signature to insert it into the PDF.

How to Sign a PDF in Preview using iPhone or iPad

Ensure your iOS and macOS devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and are in close proximity for this feature to work seamlessly.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General >  Handoff > Toggle it ON to turn on all continuity features on your iPhone and iPad.

Step 2. Sign in to the same Apple ID on your macOS device, iPhone, and iPad.

Step 3. Then in the Create Signature window, you can see an option: iPhone or iPad.

Step 4. Select iPhone or iPad, and a prompt will appear on your iPhone or iPad asking you to sign your name using your finger or Apple pencil.

Step 5. Sign your name on your iPhone or iPad screen, and it will instantly appear as a signature in the document on your macOS device.

Add Signature to PDF on Mac Online for Free

Signing PDF documents online is very convenient. Compatible with any device, online editors require no software download and save storage space of your device.

If you want to create a PDF signature online for free, PDFgear online PDF editor has everything you need.

The PDFgear online PDF editor is easy to use with an intuitive interface. It allows you to upload image signatures to PDFs without quality loss.

Step 1. Go to PDFgear online editor, and click Upload PDF files to upload a file.

Step 2. Navigate to Add or Edit annotations, click the Add Signature button, and select ADD SIGNATURE or ADD INITIAL.

Step 3. Familiar with PDFgear software, 3 types of signatures for your options: Draw with your mouse, Type on the ketboard, or Upload an image signature. After the signature is set, click Create to fill out and sign on PDF documents online for free.

Apart from signing a PDF, PDFgear is a full-featured PDF editing solution that enables you to edit signed PDF online and offline. You can also reach all other PDF online tools for free, without registeration, ads, or watermarks.

Bonus: How to Sign PDF with Digital Signature Certificate Mac

Mac users can utilize the built-in Keychain Access to create a self-signed certificate, and then use Adobe Acrobat to insert digital signature into a .pdf file.

Here are detailed steps to follow:

Step 1. Run Keychain Access on your Mac, navigate to Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Create a Certificate.

Step 2. Type the Name for the certificate and set the Identity and Certificate type of the signature. Click Create and then hit Done to save the self-signed certificate. The self-signed certificate will be automatically sync to Adobe Acrobat.

Step 3. Open a PDF file with Adobe Acrobat, go to the Protect tool, and select Encrypt with Certificate. Select the one you need to digitally protect the PDF with a digital signature certificate.

FAQs

Can I add a signature to a PDF without printing and scanning the document?

Yes, you can add a signature directly to a PDF on a Mac without printing it. Use the Preview app to add your signature electronically.

Is it possible to save multiple signatures on a Mac?

Yes, Preview allows you to save multiple signatures. When you create a signature, it is stored in Preview so you can reuse it without having to create it again.

How do I use my iPhone or iPad to sign a PDF on my Mac?

With macOS Catalina or later, you can use your iPhone or iPad to create signatures for Preview on your Mac. In the Preview app, click on the Markup Toolbar, then the Sign button, and choose to create a signature. You will have an option to use your iPhone or iPad to sign.

What if I need to send a signed PDF to someone else?

After signing the PDF on your Mac, you can share it via email or any other method you prefer. The signature will be embedded in the PDF, and the recipient will be able to view it without any special software.

Can I protect my PDF with a signature from being edited?

After signing a PDF, you can save it as a flattened copy, which can make it harder for others to edit. However, to truly protect the document, you should use PDF security features such as password protection or certificate-based digital signatures that offer more robust protection against unauthorized changes.

Conclusion

Preview is a functional PDF editing tool for Mac users to add signature to PDF on MacBook. It allows for basic PDF editing and signing.

To work with PDFs more efficiently, a dedicated PDF editor – PDFgear will be recommended. Whether you want to add electronic signatures or a digital signature certificate image, PDFgear integrates seamlessly with PDF files.