How to do electronic signature on a phone

Today, we’re more productive than ever before. Mobile devices allow us to review important documents, make critical business decisions, and stay connected with other professionals while on the go.

Whether you’re using an Android or iOS device, it’s impossible to ignore the power of a mobile environment when it comes to staying efficient and keeping in touch.

For users who want to confirm and sign documents from their phones, the ability to create a secure e-signature is critical to their success.

Let’s take a quick look at how to create an electronic signature on a phone and talk through some tools to help when trying to sign documents from anywhere.

Why are electronic signatures important?

Electronic signatures are important because they provide a legal means for companies to approve contracts remotely.

Unlike handwritten signatures, which must take place in person, electronic signatures can be acquired through any electronic device, such as a computer, iPad, iPhone, or Android phone.

For business users operating remotely, these signatures are a cornerstone of daily business operations. E-signature solutions can be used to hire employees, award service contracts, agree to proposals, and much more.

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes! Although electronic signature law varies from country to country, the major basis for electronic law legality in the US and EU comes from the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) and the eIDAS Regulation, respectively.

Under these guidelines, documents signed with a valid digital signature are considered legal and binding in the eyes of the law, as though the signer wrote their physical signature on a document.

In some ways, the term “electronic signature” is misleading because a digital signature doesn’t have to resemble a handwritten signature in any way.

Electronic signatures vs digital signatures

There are two basic types of signatures that you can create when trying to generate a signed document on your phone: Electronic signatures and digital signatures.

Most legal definitions define an electronic signature as a “sound, symbol, or process” that is logically associated with a contract and the person who intends to sign it.  This is why it’s possible to upload a virtual image of your signature and use it to sign a document.

However, this is risky for contracts and legal documents because of repudiation — the ability for signers to deny the authenticity of the signature.

That’s why we always recommend digital signatures for important documents.

Digital signatures use electronic identification methods, such as digital certificates, audit trails, personalized login information, or access codes attached to a signer’s identity to prove who signed the document.

When creating an electronic signature on a phone, a mobile app from a trusted e-signing solution like PandaDoc can ensure that a signature is valid, mobile-friendly, and has everything it needs to defend against repudiation.

How can I create an electronic signature on my phone?

There are a ton of ways to sign PDF documents using your phone.

At the most basic level, your phone comes equipped with everything you need to be successful.  Any smartphone comes equipped with a touchscreen.  You can also use a stylus to improve your signing experience in order to create a more realistic image of your signature.

CreateMySignature

If you’re looking for a tool that you can use regardless of which Mac you own, CreateMySignature is a free online tool that can help.

With CreateMySignature, you don’t need a piece of paper or a download from the App Store.

1. Head to CreateMySignature.com
2. Select “Draw signature” if you need a downloadable image for use in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or other software tools.
3. Draw your signature using your touchscreen. You can also use a stylus (or trackpad, if your device supports one) for more fine-grained control when drawing in the signature field.
4. Click on “Save.”
5. Click “Download” to download your new signature into cloud storage for use in PDF files, Word documents, and other forms. Export to Google Drive or Dropbox for use across multiple platforms.

PandaDoc App

Using the PandaDoc e-signature app, you’ll have unparalleled control when handling signature requests. Our app allows you to quickly fill & sign any document in with lightning speed.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate the document you need to sign from your document dashboard.
2. Review the document, along with any fields that require additional information.
3. Fill out any outstanding fields.
4. Follow the prompts to e-sign and complete the document.

When signing with PandaDoc, you’ll have the option to create your signature in multiple ways.  While you can draw a new signature on your touchscreen device, you can also simply type your name or upload a pre-drawn copy of your signature.

You can also manage existing documents or prepare and send new documents to other signers while using the app.

To do this:

1. Inside the PandaDoc app, tap on the “+” logo and choose how you would like to upload a document. You can do this by capturing images with your phone camera, uploading a file, or choosing an image from your gallery.
2. In the document view, drag the “Signature” field onto your uploaded document and tap to sign.
3. Tap “Finish.”

Once your document is completed, you’ll receive a signature certification to accompany your document. This digital certificate is always shown on the last page of the PDF file when you download a completed document.

Like a fingerprint, this certification is unique. It includes a document reference number, the recipient’s name, and other identifying information to prove when the document was signed and completed.

Create and digitally sign PDFs with PandaDoc

Beyond our app, PandaDoc comes equipped with tools to help users streamline building and signing documents.

PandaDoc users can take advantage of our document builder to easily create beautiful, eye-catching proposals, contracts, fillable forms, and more.

Combined with our CRM, design, and payment integrations, it’s easier than ever to create and prepare documents completely from scratch and transform those documents into templates that can be used again.

Click here to begin your signing process with PandaDoc!