How To Write on a PDF With a Stylus: iPhone & Android

To write on a PDF with a stylus, use the built-in tools on your device without downloading extra apps. On an iPhone or iPad, open the PDF in the Preview app and tap the Markup icon to start drawing; on an Android phone, open the PDF in Google Drive or Files by Google and tap the annotate or edit button to use a stylus or your finger.

How to write on a PDF with a stylus: An immediate, platform-split answer

Your first step depends entirely on your device. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, open the PDF in Apple’s Preview app and tap the Markup icon to begin writing. If you are on an Android phone, open the PDF in the Google Drive app or the Files by Google app and tap the annotate or edit button to access the drawing tools. Both platforms support a stylus or your finger for annotation.

Write on a PDF on iPhone and iPad with Apple Markup

Apple’s built-in Markup feature on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch lets you draw, add text, and add a signature to a PDF document. Follow these verified steps:

Open the PDF in the Preview app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Markup controls icon (a pen tip inside a circle).
Choose an option such as sticker, signature, shape, or text to annotate the PDF.
Use your stylus or finger to draw or write directly on the document.

The Markup tools work with any touch input, including your finger.

Write on a PDF on Android with Google Drive

Google Drive on Android supports PDF annotation with a stylus or your finger. Google Drive annotation is documented for Android devices only on the cited help page. Follow these verified steps:

Open the Google Drive app on your Android device.
Open the PDF to enter preview mode.
Tap the annotate button in the bottom right corner.
A toolbar opens with multiple annotating tools.
Use a stylus or your finger to select an annotating tool and begin writing or drawing on the PDF.

The toolbar includes tools for freehand drawing, highlighting, and adding text. Google does not list model-specific limits, file-size limits, or stylus-brand limits for this feature.

Write on a PDF on Android with Files by Google

Files by Google provides a secondary, verified method for Android users to annotate PDFs. Google documents this for Android devices only. Follow these verified steps:

Open Files by Google on your Android device.
Open a PDF file.
Tap Edit at the bottom right.
Use the toolbar at the bottom to choose an annotating tool, such as the Pen tool for freehand annotation or marking over the PDF.
Select the tool with a stylus or your finger and write on the PDF.

The Pen tool uses freehand strokes. The Files by Google help page does not list model-specific limits, version limits, or stylus-brand limits. This method is ideal if you prefer not to use Google Drive or want a lightweight alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write on a PDF with any stylus?

Yes, on both iPhone and Android you can use any stylus or even your finger. Google says you can use a stylus or your finger in Drive on Android, and Apple’s pages do not specify which stylus models are supported for iPhone PDF markup. No specific stylus brand or model is required for the built-in tools.

Can I edit or erase what I wrote on the PDF?

The built-in tools include annotating tools, but the documented steps do not specify an erase function for PDFs. You may need to undo or delete annotations using the app’s general undo feature. Google’s Drive help page says the toolbar includes multiple annotating tools, but the snippet returned here does not list the full tool set or erasing behavior.

Can handwritten notes on a PDF be converted to text?

The built-in Markup and annotate tools in Preview, Google Drive, and Files by Google do not include optical character recognition for converting your handwriting into editable text.

For the wider topic, see stylus pen usage and basics.