How to Edit a PDF on Your Phone Using a Mobile PDF Editor

In this article, we’ll go through the features that you need to look for in a mobile PDF editor and describe how to edit a PDF on your phone. We’ll also show you how to use PDF editors online or offline to edit files without sacrificing quality.

While the original PDF format is primarily unalterable, different software and tools have changed how users can work on these documents. A dedicated PDF editor is one such tool, and it even allows you to amend a finished PDF document on your phone!

Let’s take a look at why you might want to use a mobile PDF editor:

Why do you need a mobile PDF editor?

A lot of PDF editing software is compatible with desktop, web, and mobile. But here’s why you need an intuitive PDF editor on your smartphone.

Edit PDFs with ease

Having an app to edit PDF pages online with your mobile device allows you to be flexible in your operations. You can create or edit documents from anywhere and share them with others on the cloud.

Big companies with many documents to edit need employees to get the job done as soon as possible. A mobile-friendly editor is a convenient way to format other file types into PDFs while retaining its structure.

Create interactive files

With mobile PDF editors, you can embed interactive elements such as hyperlinks, bookmarks, and other multimedia. Most creators use PDF editors to develop interactive documents such as fillable forms, e-books, and presentations.

Whether you’re adding links to validate your references or embedding YouTube videos for increased interactivity, mobile editors are the go-to option.

Manage file size

Pages of images, infographics, and other media can take up more space and take longer to load. To ease processing capacity and optimize storage use, PDF editors help you by compressing the file without compromising media quality.

Compressed PDF files are easier to share via email or on the cloud. For companies with extensive records, saving files in PDF format is best for accessibility and cloud storage.

Enable collaboration

When working in a team or in a remote environment, your PDF files must be accessible to everyone when required. Collaboration helps you get much work done faster, and PDF editors can ease the speed of getting feedback on tasks.

You can incorporate PDF annotation or digital signing tools within your management systems such as Google Drive or Microsoft Office.

Access different templates

For most mobile PDF editors, customized templates are stored as drafts after creation, or you can select pre-made templates from the tool’s directory.

With these templates, you can easily build forms, create presentations, draft contracts and agreements, and publish e-books. Designing new templates is as seamless as using existing ones.

Control file access

Some tools allow you to invite participants to collaborate on a file, and you can use passwords to restrict or grant access to documents.

As the author, you can control what users can and cannot change in the content while also overseeing how authorized persons edit PDF pages.

Main features of a mobile PDF editor

Here are some of the best add-ons on a mobile PDF editor that make your work streamlined and efficient.

Comprehensive editing tools

Many PDF editors have expanded their offerings to include editing features that match the growing use of PDF documents. You can build new files from scratch by choosing from dozens of templates or by designing your own reusable template.

Any PDF modifier online right now lets you add text and images, edit or crop pages, and split or merge files without compromising the final outlook. Project managers can insert comments, highlight text, and leave notes anywhere on the document.

An easy-to-use online PDF tool displays its editing tools on the dashboard for quick access. However, a dedicated editor usually offers secure editing capabilities.

Multi-format compatibility

PDF editors allow users to import all sorts of files and convert them into editable documents. For instance, converting photos to PDF files is easier with the editing tool. Users can shuffle between file formats that permit editing and then save the final output as a PDF.

The good thing about file conversion to PDF is that it maintains consistent formatting across all devices. This is why PDF formats are preferred for official documentation, business presentations, and anywhere content precision is vital.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

One important feature of PDF editing apps is they can recognize text within the digital image of a scanned physical document via OCR. This feature allows them to convert a paper or handwritten document into an editable format for reworking.

Got only hardcopy files? OCR-enabled tools provide an easy way to transform your physical cabinets into digital storage. However, extracting data from a PDF can be challenging, especially if the scanned document contains complex formatting or structure.

Security features

Companies store sensitive information in files. When creating official documents, choose PDF editors that offer password protection and other encryption tools.

A password-protected file limits access to only authorized individuals and is essential for ethical sharing. Depending on the confidentiality, consider using PDF software that lets you adjust permissions, even after you’ve published the file.

PDF Annotation

One standout feature of PDF editors is the ability to write on files. This is another form of editing that doesn’t tamper with the original file but allows a user to leave notes, make comments, draw shapes, and highlight text.

A PDF editing software also doubles as a PDF highlighter online. After receiving an annotated file, authors can comment while they edit and get other members to resolve new comments.

E-signature Integration

Another way to guarantee the security of your files is to apply digital signatures. Incorporate the e-signature tool within a multifunction PDF editor to ease this electronic signing process.

A good example of this is Lumin Sign, which is a free PDF e-signature tool that enables seamless form signing with custom-made signatures. You can even store used signatures as templates to be reused in subsequent transactions.

A Step-by-Step Guide For Editing Text Using a Mobile PDF Editor

There are several PDF editors you can use to edit text in a PDF, here is an overview of how to use some of the most popular options:

Lumin

Lumin makes it easy to edit text within PDF without converting to other formats. You can fix typos, change form fields, and remove irrelevant information with the tool. Here’s how:

Create an account. Sign in and upgrade your plan.
Upload the PDF from your device or via cloud storage.
Select the Edit PDF from the toolbar, then highlight the area you want to edit.
Save changes once the editing is done.
Share it with other users or download the edited document on your device.

Apart from editing text, you can also rotate, resize, annotate, convert, compress, and merge PDFs using Lumin.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Download and Install:
- Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Open the PDF:
- Open the app and sign in with your Adobe account.
- Tap on the ‘Files’ tab and navigate to the location of your PDF (device storage, cloud storage, etc.).
- Tap on the PDF to open it.
Edit the PDF:
- Tap the pencil icon or the ‘Edit PDF’ option.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to add text, images, and drawings. You can also highlight text, add comments, and use other annotation tools.
- For text edits, tap on the text you want to edit. You can modify, delete, or add new text.
Save Your Changes:
- Once done, tap the save icon or ‘Done’ to save your changes.
- You can save the edited PDF to your device or share it directly via email or other apps.

Foxit PDF Reader

Download and Install:
- Download and install Foxit PDF Reader from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Open the PDF:
- Open the app and locate your PDF file in the ‘Documents’ tab.
- Tap on the PDF to open it.
Edit the PDF:
- Tap on the ‘Edit’ button or the pencil icon.
- You can add text, images, or signatures. Foxit also provides annotation tools like highlighting, underlining, and strikethrough.
- Tap on the area you want to edit or add text/images to and make the necessary changes.
Save Your Changes:
- Tap the save icon to save your edited PDF.
- You can save the file to your device or share it directly.

WPS Office

Download and Install:
- Download and install WPS Office from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Open the PDF:
- Open the app and navigate to the ‘PDF’ section.
- Locate and tap on your PDF file to open it.
Edit the PDF:
- Tap on the ‘Edit’ button or the pencil icon.
- WPS Office allows you to edit text, add comments, highlight, and use other annotation tools.
- Select the text or area you want to edit and make the necessary changes.
Save Your Changes:
- Tap the save icon to save your changes.
- You can save the edited PDF to your device or share it directly via email or other apps.

Tips for Efficient Editing

Backup the Original: Before making edits, it’s a good practice to create a backup of the original PDF.
Use Cloud Storage: Save your PDFs to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for easy access across devices.
Explore Features: Take some time to explore all the features of your chosen PDF editor. Many apps offer additional functionalities like converting PDFs to other formats, merging, or splitting PDFs.

By following these steps, you can efficiently edit PDFs directly from your mobile device.

Conclusion

Adding a mobile PDF editor to your toolbox will optimize document creation for personal use or in the workplace. Numerous PDF solutions offer comprehensive editing features, but you must choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Look out for tools with up-to-date editing and security features that can guarantee the safety of your documentation. It also helps to consider a PDF tool that fosters collaboration among team members to fast-track the speed of your operations.

Author
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James Prior

Founder of DoTEFL, James has been helping people teach English abroad and online since 2011.

He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online. James is passionate about helping others fulfill their own dreams through teaching and traveling abroad.

How to Edit a PDF on Your Phone Using a Mobile PDF Editor