Edit PDFs in the Files App with Markup

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

On an iPhone or iPad, the Files app has a built-in Markup feature for making quick changes to a PDF: open the file, tap the Markup button, and add handwriting, highlights, shapes, or text. You can then save the edited copy in Files without installing a separate PDF editor.

What the hidden feature does

Markup is Apple’s on-device annotation tool, available from the PDF preview in Files. It is useful for tasks such as circling a line, highlighting a passage, adding a brief note, drawing a signature, or filling in a simple form. It is “hidden” mainly because the editing controls appear after you open the PDF rather than as a prominent Files toolbar option.

Markup is not a full document-layout editor. It generally places annotations on top of the page; it does not let you rewrite the original PDF text as if it were a word-processing document. For substantial text changes, rearranging pages, or advanced form processing, you may need a dedicated PDF app or the source document.

How to annotate a PDF in Files

Open Files and find the PDF. It may be in On My iPhone, iCloud Drive, or another location shown in Browse.
Tap the PDF to open its preview. If it opens in another app, return to Files and try pressing and holding the file, then choose a preview or sharing option that opens it in Files.
Tap the Markup button, usually shown as a pen tip inside a circle. Depending on the device and interface, it may be at the top or bottom of the screen. If you do not see it, tap the screen once to reveal the controls.
Choose a pen, marker, or pencil tool and select a color or line thickness if those controls are available. Draw with a finger or, on supported devices, a stylus.
Use the plus button for additional items such as text, a signature, shapes, or a magnifier when those options are offered. Drag items to position them; use the available handles to resize them.
Tap Done to save your changes. If prompted to choose whether to save or discard, select the option that keeps the edits.

For example, to call attention to a deadline, open the PDF, select a translucent marker, and swipe across the date. To add a quick note, insert a text box and place it in a blank margin. Zoom in before marking small print so your stroke lands where you intend.

What you can and cannot change

Markup is designed for visual annotations. You can normally draw, highlight, add text boxes, place a signature, and use shapes. The exact tools can vary with the operating-system version, the way the PDF was opened, and whether the document supports the relevant feature.

Good fit: highlighting a paragraph, pointing to a chart, signing a line, or adding a short comment.
Not the same as editing PDF text: a text box covers or supplements the page; it does not necessarily replace existing words or reflow paragraphs.
Not every form behaves alike: some PDFs have interactive fields you can tap and type in, while others are flat scans that need text boxes or handwriting layered over the page.
Page management is separate: Files may offer page-related actions in its PDF interface, but available options differ. Markup itself is for annotations, not complete document restructuring.

A common misconception is that a signature added with Markup makes a document a certified digital-signature file. It is generally an image-like annotation placed on the page. If a recipient requires a particular signing process or identity verification, follow that organization’s instructions.

Saving, copies, and finding the edited file

When you finish, tap Done and allow the save operation to complete before closing the preview. If the PDF is stored in iCloud Drive, edits may sync to other devices signed in to the same account, but syncing can take time and depends on connectivity and available storage.

To preserve an untouched original, make a copy before editing. In Files, press and hold the PDF and look for Duplicate in the context menu; wording and menu placement can vary. Rename the copy so it is easy to distinguish, then annotate that version. You can also use the Share sheet to save or send a copy, where available.

After saving, reopen the document and check the pages you edited. This confirms that the marks remain visible and that you saved the intended file. When sharing sensitive documents, review the recipient and destination first: annotations may reveal private notes, signatures, or information written in a margin.

Common problems and fixes

No Markup button: Tap the preview to show its controls. Confirm that you opened the PDF itself in Files, rather than viewing a thumbnail or a document inside another app.
Changes seem to disappear: Tap Done, wait for saving or syncing, and reopen the file. If it is a shared or cloud-stored document, check that you have a connection and that you are editing the copy you expect.
Cannot write in a form field: Tap the field first. If it is a scanned or flattened page, use a text box or handwriting instead; Markup cannot turn a scan into a properly structured form.
Marks are misplaced: Zoom in and make shorter strokes. Use undo if available, or select an annotation and delete it before trying again.
PDF opens in another app: Return to Files and use the file’s context menu or Share sheet to choose a way to preview or open it in Files. Options depend on installed apps and system version.

When to use a different PDF tool

For a quick signature or highlight, Files’ built-in Markup is often enough and avoids an extra app. Choose another editor when you must change existing text, run optical character recognition on a scan, combine or reorder many pages, redact content securely, or use specialized form or signing workflows.

Be careful with the word redact: drawing a black shape over text may only hide it visually, leaving underlying content recoverable in some files. Use a tool that explicitly removes or sanitizes content when genuine redaction is required, then verify the result before sharing. Do not rely on a visual cover-up for confidential information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a PDF in the Files app on iPhone?
Yes. Open the PDF in Files and use Markup to add annotations such as highlights, handwriting, text boxes, shapes, or a signature. It is not a general editor for replacing existing PDF text.

How do I save a PDF after using Markup?
Tap Done and choose the save option if prompted. Reopen the file afterward to confirm the changes were kept.

Can I undo or remove a Markup annotation?
Use the undo control while editing, or select an annotation and delete it if that option appears. If you have already saved and cannot remove a mark, use an untouched copy or restore from an available earlier version.

Can I fill out a PDF form in Files?
Tap an interactive field to type if the PDF has fillable fields. For a flat scan, add text or handwriting with Markup; the result may not function as a structured form.

Does Markup change the original PDF?
It saves annotations to the PDF you are working on, so treat that file as changed. Duplicate it first if you need to preserve the original unchanged.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.