How to Fill Out a PDF Form on iPhone or iPad

Filling a PDF form on an iPhone used to mean squinting at tiny boxes. Recent iOS versions made it much easier, especially with AutoFill for forms. Here is how to complete both fillable and non-fillable PDFs.

Step 1: check whether the form is fillable

Open the PDF in the Files app and tap a blank box. If a cursor appears and the keyboard pops up, the PDF has real form fields. If nothing happens, it is a flat form and you will need to add text boxes on top.

Filling a fillable form in Files

1. Save the PDF to Files (from Mail, tap the attachment, then the share icon, then Save to Files).
2. Open it from Files.
3. Tap each field and type. Use the arrows above the keyboard to jump between fields.
4. Tap checkboxes to tick them.
5. Tap Done. The values are saved in the PDF.

Use AutoFill for forms

Recent iOS versions can detect form fields in PDFs and offer to fill them with information from your contact card, such as name, address, phone and email. When you open a form in Files or Preview, look for the AutoFill suggestions above the keyboard, or an AutoFill Form option in the Markup toolbar on supported versions. Always check the result; AutoFill sometimes puts a work address where a home address is expected.

Filling a non-fillable (flat) form

1. Open the PDF in Files and tap the Markup icon.
2. Tap + and choose Text.
3. Drag the text box over the first blank and type.
4. Repeat for each field. Use Add Signature where a signature is needed.
5. Tap Done.

This is fiddly on a phone. On an iPad, or for longer forms, a browser editor gives more control.

Using a browser editor

1. Open Docento.app in Safari.
2. Choose the PDF from Files or iCloud Drive.
3. Click into fillable fields to type, or use the text tool on flat forms.
4. Add a signature and date where required.
5. Download the completed PDF.

The file is processed in the browser on your device rather than uploaded for editing.

When fields will not accept typing

• It is an XFA form. Some government and insurance forms use XFA, which Apple's viewer does not support. You will see a message like "Please wait…" or a blank page. You need a desktop reader. See XFA forms explained.
• The form is secured. If filling is restricted, ask the sender for a fillable copy. See PDF permissions explained.
• The values vanish after saving. Some apps do not save form data properly. Save in Files, close and reopen to check, or flatten the form before sending. See fillable PDF form not saving.

Before you send it

• Scroll through every page for missed fields.
• Check dates use the format the form asks for.
• Rename the file sensibly, such as Application-Smith-2026.pdf.
• If the recipient will print it, flatten it so values cannot shift. See how to flatten a PDF.

Takeaway

For fillable forms, the Files app plus AutoFill is fast and free. For flat forms, Markup works, and a browser editor is easier for longer documents. For signatures, see how to sign a PDF on iPhone.