Sign a PDF on Android

How to sign a PDF on Android for free, offline

Short answer: To sign a PDF on Android for free and offline, open the file in Scanly, use the Sign tool to draw or import your signature, place it on the page and save a signed copy. Scanly adds a visual, handwritten-style signature, not a certificate-based digital signature, and the original file is never changed.

Many forms, contracts and receipts only need a handwritten-looking signature added to a PDF. Scanly's Sign tool does that on your phone, with no printer, no scanner and no subscription.

It helps to know the limit before you start. Scanly creates a visual signature: your signature appears on the page, but it is not a certificate-based digital signature and does not carry the cryptographic identity checks those use. If the recipient needs a certified e-signature, use a service built for that.

Install Scanly free on Google Play (Android 10+, no account, no ads)

How to sign a PDF on Android

  1. Open the PDF in Scanly

    Open the file with Reader, or choose "Open in Scanly" from Files, Gmail, WhatsApp or Google Drive.

  2. Open the Sign tool

    Go to Tools → PDF → Sign.

  3. Create your signature

    Draw your signature or initials on the screen, or import a photo of your signature written on white paper.

  4. Place it on the page

    Put the signature on the signature line. Add initials, a date, text or a checkbox if the form needs them.

  5. Adjust the placement

    Move, resize or recolour each item (navy, black, blue or red) until it sits correctly on the page.

  6. Save the signed copy

    Save or share the signed result. The original PDF is not changed.

What Scanly signing is and is not

  • It is a handwritten-style signature image placed on a PDF, with optional initials, date, text and checkbox fields.
  • It is not a certificate-based digital signature. It does not use an identity certificate to prove who signed the document.
  • Your original is safe. Scanly never changes the original file, so the signed version is a separate copy.
  • Your signatures stay on your phone. Saved signatures are kept on the device, not uploaded.

Making a signature that looks right

You can draw your signature with your finger in the Sign tool, or write it on plain white paper and import a photo of it. When you import a photo, Scanly lifts the ink off the background so the signature sits cleanly on the page.

Create a separate initials mark if a form asks for initials. Choose a colour that suits the document: navy, black, blue or red.

Placing and adjusting fields

Place the signature exactly where the signature line is. The same tool can add initials, a date, typed text or a checkbox to any PDF or scan. After you place an item, move it, resize it or change its colour until it lines up with the form.

Questions people ask

Can I sign a PDF on Android for free without internet?
Yes. Scanly's Sign tool is free and works offline. Your signatures and the PDF stay on your phone.
Is a Scanly signature legally binding?
Scanly adds a visual, handwritten-style signature. It is not a certificate-based digital signature. Whether a signed document is accepted depends on the recipient and the rules that apply to it, so check with them if it matters.
Does signing change my original PDF?
No. Scanly never changes the original file. The signed version is saved as a separate copy.
Can I sign a scanned document or a photo?
Yes. You can place a signature on any PDF or scan, including pages you scanned with Scanly.
Can I use my real handwritten signature?
Yes. Import a photo of your signature written on plain white paper. Scanly removes the background so it looks clean on the page, and saved signatures stay on your phone.
Can I add a date next to the signature?
Yes. Scanly can add a date, typed text, initials and checkbox fields to a PDF alongside the signature.

Last checked 2026-10-22. Markdown version