The PDF format has become a standard on the Internet for several years 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 continue reading.
With the Files app
Whenever I publish some kind of guides, the first option that I always recommend is the one that can be found natively in iOS. In this case, it is not a shortcut. I’m talking about the Files app, the app that Apple natively includes in iOS and iPadOS.
The number of options offered by the Files application for editing files in this format is quite limited:
- Turn left
- Turn right
- insert a blank page
- Insert from file.
- scan pages
- To delete
To access the options for editing files in PDF format, we must perform 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.
- Then we open the document in the application.
- Then, from the left edge of our iPhone, we swipe 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 displayed.
While it is true that the number of options that the Files application makes available to us for editing files in PDF format is not very extensive, it is likely that in some cases this is the only thing you are looking for, so it is interesting to know the options it offers us without having to install third-party applications.
But, in addition, with the Files application we can also sign documents, add a text box, add a rectangle, a circle, a comic 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 appear with all available options.
PDF Expert: create and edit a PDF
Although I’m not a big fan of apps that require a subscription, depending on how many features are 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 for working with files in PDF format, an application that together with the basic version (without subscription) offers us a large number of functions.
Features of PDF Expert Free Version
The basic version of PDF Expert allows you to read files in PDF format, to perform text searches, to zoom in on the document, to move freely in it…
It also allows us to highlight text and add annotations, an ideal function 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 out PDF forms created in Adobe Acrobat as well as add 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, to sign 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… resize the document, modify outlines, includes a customizable toolbar…
PDF Expert – Create & Edit PDF is available for free download. It requires iOS 14 and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
PDFElement Lite – PDF Editor
With the launch of PDFElement 2.0, the PDFElement Lite app has become completely free with no in-app purchases, allowing us to access all PDF editing options without having to pay a single euro or subscriptions if they offer us version 2.0.
With PDFElement Lite we can edit any type of document in PDF format, change font, size, color, cut and paste text, add text boxes, shapes, draw with pencil, delete text that does not we are not interested…
In addition, it also allows us to fill and sign documents in PDF format, export documents in Word, Excel, PPT, EPUB, HTML, Text, RTF, Pages, XML (.docx, .xlsx, . pptx, .txt, formats .epub, .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 by the time you read this article the app is no longer available for download (it was a matter of time before it was retired), you can opt for version 2.0, a version that requires a subscription to take full advantage of the application.
GoodReader PDF Editor and Viewer
One of the oldest apps available in the App Store for working with any type of file, not just PDF, is GoodReader. As the name suggests, the app gives us a much better viewing experience than what we can find in any other app.
Not only can we edit the text of documents in this format, but we can also add handwritten and textual 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 try this application, an application that costs 5.99 dollars.
GoodReader requires iOS 11 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
I note
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, underlining text…
It is compatible with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and allows 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 dollars in the App Store. It requires iOS 12 or higher and is available portable for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Table of Contents