How to edit PDF on iPhone

The PDF format became a standard on the Internet a few years ago when it comes to sharing reading files. Being a standard, all operating systems allow us to open this type of file natively without having to install any other application as well as the .zip compression format.

However, when it comes to editing this file format, things get complicated, since a special application is needed that allows us to access its content and edit it as if it were a Word file. If you want to know what are the best apps to edit pdf on iphone, I invite you to keep reading.

With the Files app

Whenever I publish some kind of guides, the first option that I always recommend is the one that we can find natively in iOS. In this case, it is not a shortcut. I'm talking about the Files app, the app that Apple includes natively in iOS and iPadOS.

The number of options offered by the Files application to edit files in this format is quite limited:

• Turn left
• Turn right
• insert blank page
• Insert from file.
• scan pages
• Delete

To access the options for editing files in PDF format, we must carry out the steps that I show you below:

• First of all, we go to the Files application where we must previously copy the file that we want to edit.
• Next, we open the document in the application.
• Next, from the left edge of our iPhone, we slide to the right to display the thumbnails of the sheets that are part of the PDF.
• Finally, we press and hold on the sheet that we want to edit so that the 6 options that it offers us are shown.

Although it is true that the number of options that the Files application makes available to us to edit files in PDF format are not very extensive, it is likely that in certain cases, it is the only thing you are looking for, so it is interesting to know the options that it offers us without being forced to install third-party applications.

But, in addition, with the Files application, we can also sign documents, add a text box, add a rectangle, circle, comic speech bubble, an arrow and even a magnifying glass.

If we want to access these additional options offered by the Files application to edit files in PDF format, we must perform the following steps:

• Once we have opened the PDF document, click on the pencil located in the upper right corner of the screen.
• Next, click on the + symbol located in the lower right corner of the screen.
• Finally, a window will be displayed with all the available options.

PDF Expert: create and edit PDF

Although I am not a big fan of apps that require a subscription, depending on the number of features included in the free version, I recommend it or not.

In the case of PDF Expert, we are talking about one of the most complete applications to work with files in PDF format, an application that, with the base version (without subscription), offers us a large number of functions.

Features of the free version of PDF Expert

The base version of PDF Expert allows us to read files in PDF format, perform text searches, zoom in on the document, move freely through it...

It also allows us to highlight the text and add annotations, an ideal function for when we are looking for information for a job, we are reading a book where we want to highlight the most important points...

In addition, it also allows us to use the Apple Pencil (or our finger) to make handwritten annotations on the document. It allows us to fill in PDF forms created in Adobe Acrobat as well as adding stickers and emoticons.

PDF Expert Subscription Features

The Pro subscription to PDF Expert allows us to edit the original files, change the font, size, opacity... In addition, it also allows us to add or replace existing images, sign the documents, add an access password...

This version also allows us to convert files in PDF format to other formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG... scale the document, edit outlines, includes a customizable toolbar...

PDF Expert - Create & Edit PDF is available for free download. It requires iOS 14 and is compatible with both iPhone and iPad and iPod touch.

PDFElement Lite – PDF Editor

With the launch of PDFElement 2.0, the PDFElement Lite application has become completely free and without any purchases within the application, which allows us to access all the editing options in PDF format without having to pay a single euro. nor the subscriptions that if they offer us version 2.0.

With PDFElement Lite we can edit any type of document in PDF format, change the font, size, color, cut and paste text, add text boxes, shapes, draw with a pencil, delete text that doesn't interest us...

In addition, it also allows us to fill in and sign documents in PDF format, export documents in Word, Excel, PPT, EPUB, HTML, Text, RTF, Pages, XML (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .epub formats , .html, .page, .xml, .rtf)…, combine different files, extract pages, rotate them, change their position…

PDFElement Lite requires iOS 10 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

If at the time you read this article, the application is no longer available for download (it was a matter of time before it was withdrawn), you can opt for version 2.0, a version that requires a subscription to take full advantage of the application .

GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer

One of the oldest applications available in the App Store when it comes to working with any type of file, not only with the PDF format, is GoodReader. As its name describes, the application offers us a viewing experience far superior to what we can find in any other application.

Not only can we edit the text of the documents in this format, but we can also add handwritten and text annotations, add rectangles or circles, delete content, sign documents...

It allows us to work directly with files stored in Google Drive, Box, OneDrive, Box WebDAV, SMB, FTP, SFTP... as well as, obviously, with iCloud.

If you work with a large number of video formats on a daily basis, you should give this application a try, an application that costs 5,99 euros.

GoodReader requires iOS 11 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

iAnnotate

iAnnotate offers us a wide range of options when editing documents in PDF format, tools with which we can highlight documents, add stamps, straight lines, images... as well as add text boxes, notes, underline text...

It is compatible with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive as well as allowing us to open PDF files from any other application that we have installed on our device. It includes a powerful file and text browser, working with two documents together, organizing the pages of a document...

iAnnotate is priced at 9,99 euros in the App Store. It requires iOS 12 or higher and is available wearable for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.