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The fastest way to sign documents on Mac is usually Preview’s built-in Sign tool: open a PDF, create or choose a signature, then place it on the page—no printing or extra app required. The feature is a secret hidden in plain sight in Preview’s Markup toolbar. Apple documents three ways to create a signature, but does not publish a speed test comparing them, so the most convenient choice depends on what you have at hand.
Sign a PDF in Preview
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Open the PDF in Preview.
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If the Markup toolbar is hidden, click Show Markup Toolbar.
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Click Sign. Choose a saved signature, or create one using the trackpad, the Mac’s built-in camera, or a nearby iPhone or iPad.
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After creating a signature, click it to add it to the PDF. Drag it into position and use the handles to resize it.
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Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip: Built for AI and Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera; Blush- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
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- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
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Save the PDF.
Apple’s full walkthrough is Fill out and sign PDF forms in Preview on Mac.
Choose the signature method that fits your setup
| Method | Best fit | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Trackpad | You are already at the Mac and have a trackpad. | Sign with a finger on the trackpad, then finish with a key press and click Done. On a Force Touch trackpad, pressing more firmly may produce a darker line. |
| Built-in camera | You have a handwritten signature on white paper. | Hold the paper level with the blue guide line shown on screen and click Done when the signature appears. |
| Nearby iPhone or iPad | You prefer to write directly on another Apple device. | Choose Select Device, select the device, sign on its screen, and tap Done. Apple’s Markup guidance also supports Apple Pencil on iPad. |
Apple does not state which method is fastest. If you are already at the Mac, the trackpad avoids reaching for another tool; if you have a pen-and-paper signature ready, the camera may be more comfortable; and a nearby device can suit people who prefer writing on glass. Nearby-device signing depends on Continuity system requirements. If it is unavailable, use the trackpad or camera instead. See Apple’s guidance on marking up files on Mac.
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Reuse or remove a saved signature
Preview saves signatures so you can select them again from the Sign menu. Apple says signatures can also be available on your other Macs when iCloud Drive is enabled on those Macs and the Mac where you created the signature.
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To remove a saved signature, open a file in Preview, open Markup and then Sign, point to the saved signature, and click the X. Apple says this removes it from apps using Markup on that Mac and from linked Macs using iCloud Drive.
Rank #3
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
What Preview’s signature does—and does not establish
Preview’s documented workflow adds a signature mark to a PDF. Apple’s how-to does not describe it as a certificate-backed digital-signature or identity-verification system, so do not assume that placing a mark alone verifies who signed, prevents later changes, or satisfies notarization or other formal requirements.
In the United States, the E-SIGN Act generally says a signature, contract, or other record related to a transaction “may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.” That is not a guarantee that every signature method will be accepted. The law applies to transactions in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, preserves other legal requirements, and generally does not require a person to agree to use or accept electronic records or signatures. Consult 15 U.S.C. § 7001 and its definition of electronic signature, and follow the recipient’s instructions and the rules that apply to your transaction.
Rank #4
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
If you also need to fill in the PDF
Preview can enter text in PDF form fields. If a PDF does not allow direct typing, Apple says you can add a text box instead. Enhanced AutoFill is not supported by every PDF. For file-opening and Preview basics, see Apple’s Preview guide.
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