Best PDF markup and annotation apps for iPad and Apple Pencil 2024

Easily mark up and annotate documents on your iPad with your Apple Pencil and these great apps.

Apple Pencil 2 Charge Ipad Pro Hero Resized

  • iAnnotate 4
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader

At some point in our lifetimes, we've all had to deal with PDFs. You may have needed to read a document in PDF format or you may have needed to fill out and sign a PDF form before sending it back. We've all been there. But if you're using a desktop Mac with no trackpad, doing that kind of stuff may be more of a hassle. In fact, for this kind of thing, we actually prefer an iPad with an Apple Pencil because it just feels so much more natural, like pen and paper.

Regardless of what your current iPad is or which Apple Pencil you're using, having a great app for PDFs really makes all the difference. Here are the best PDF markup and annotation apps that will help you be more productive on the go!

Just starting out? Check which iPad models support Apple Pencil so you buy the right devices for your plans.

Preview may not exist on the iPad just yet, but its excellent markup and annotation tools are available systemwide in iOS. The Instant Markup feature can be triggered by pressing either the Share button or the new Markup button in certain apps — it looks like a pen tip with a circle around it. You can also tap an email attachment in Mail, or take a screenshot to activate the feature.

In the Markup interface, you can add pen, highlighter, or pencil notation, along with basic shapes like squares, circles, arrows, and quote bubbles. Or you can drop a magnifier on the image or document and even add text or a signature. And the best part is that it is all integrated directly into iOS , so you don't need any extra apps.

Sure, it's pretty basic, but sometimes that's all you need.

PDF Viewer has a clean, simplistic interface and powerful annotation tools. It is a perfect in-between for users who need a bit more than what the iOS Markup tool provides, but don't need the power of apps like PDF Expert or LiquidText.

A PDF app's interface can frequently appear daunting to the average user, thanks in part to the sheer number of annotation options developers try to shove inside of them, but PDF Viewer smartly simplifies this process. Taking a page from Apple's own iWork suite, the app provides a series of nested views depending on which feature you're using. For instance, if you're looking at a document, you'll be shown the tools for sharing, zooming, and browsing through annotations; tap the annotation button, and the app brings you into Annotation mode, with its various tools — still simplified into easy-to-understand icons.

PDF Viewer can even rearrange, delete, or insert blank pages within a PDF, though it doesn't have some of the more advanced combination features (like merging multiple PDFs or adding existing PDF pages into a document).

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PDF Viewer - Annotation Expert

PDF Viewer is simple and streamlined enough to help you get all the basics done without much fuss.

Download from: App Store

When people ask for an all-purpose PDF markup and annotation app, I tend to send them to Readdle's PDF Expert. The free download offers basic PDF reading, annotation, and digital signatures, but it really shines with the advanced tools that you can get via in-app purchases.

You can create customizable "stamps" for oft-used annotations (a friend to copy editors everywhere), edit the structure of the PDF, zip multiple documents together, password-protect your files, and sync with iCloud. The Pro upgrade takes those tools one step further and allows you to physically crack open a PDF and edit it on the spot. Have a spelling error in your ready-to-print proof? Even if you can't jump back to InDesign on your iPad, you can fix it in the PDF.

You may never need the tools that PDF Expert provides, but I for one love that an app this complex and functional exists on iOS.

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PDF Expert - Read, Edit, Sign 

Readdle's PDF Expert is one of the best options for PDF viewing and editing. You get the basics for free, and more powerful features with a PRO subscription.

I've rewritten this intro to LiquidText about five times now, largely because the multitouch annotation app has this slippery way of defying description. A traditional sign-and-form-fill annotation app this is not — LiquidText is built for projects, novels, research papers, and dusty libraries. Lawyer and Mac enthusiast David Sparks describes it as being "engineered around the idea of reviewing long PDF documents better." It looks at books filled with post-it notes and string-covered bulletin boards and laughs. There's a better way to organize your research, and this app is it.

At its core, LiquidText focuses on the pain point of annotating lengthy documents, giving users a number of tools to do it in a way wholly unlike any other PDF app on the market. You can use multitouch gestures to pinch together large sections of a document. For instance, you could look at an introductory thesis statement next to its midpoint argument to see if it properly connects the dots. You can pull annotations out from the document they belong to — like clippings or post-its — and organize them together or even link them along the right side of the screen. And all of this is lightning fast and wholly enjoyable, thanks to LiquidText's speedy and simple UI.

The Apple Pencil makes all of this even better, giving users specific gestures to highlight and pull out annotations as they review documents. For those who need this kind of workflow, there's no better app than LiquidText out there — and possibly no better workflow.

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LiquidText is a PDF app that is built for those who are working on lengthy research papers, novels, and other in-depth projects.

iAnnotate 4 - PDFs & more

Want to maximize your productivity when it comes to PDFs and documents? Then iAnnotate is a great option to consider.

iAnnotate 4 does your basics, such as letting you open and view PDFs and documents, but you can do so much more with the app than you may think. The biggest draw with iAnnotate is the iPad Pro multitasking support, which allows you to view two documents side-by-side. It'll automatically annotate when you use an Apple Pencil, and you can pan, zoom, and scroll with your fingers at will, no tool switching needed, making it a streamlined experience. There are even keyboard shortcuts if you want to maximize efficiency.

All markups on your documents can be saved directly, letting you view markups in external PDF readers. The Flatten feature compresses annotations onto the document to prevent modifications from being made. A situation that this is great for is when there needs to be multiple signatures on a document, as the Flatten feature prevents others from making unauthorized modifications or changes.

Like PDFPen, iAnnotate 4 is a one-time purchase with no in-app purchases to worry about.

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iAnnotate 4 — PDFs and more

With iAnnotate 4, you're getting Pro-level features for one flat rate price, with no in-app purchases to pester you.

Adobe Acrobat Reader: Edit PDF

You may already be familiar with Adobe Acrobat Reader, but did you know that it's also available on iOS and supports Apple Pencil? That's right!

With Adobe Acrobat Reader, you're able to quickly open up and view PDF documents from anywhere, including with Adobe's own Scan app. With these PDFs, you're able to annotate them directly with your Apple Pencil, so that means highlighting, marking up, commenting, drawing on documents — you name it, Acrobat Reader can do it. It even allows you to fill out and sign forms hassle-free, which is probably one of the most popular reasons for having a PDF app on the iPad in the first place.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is free for the basics, but you'll need to subscribe for more features like organizing and editing PDFs, export options, compression, merging, and more.

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Adobe Acrobat Reader provides users with basic functionality for free. If you want more features, you'll need a Pro subscription.

PDF Reader – PDFelement

If you are looking for something that's simple and gets the job done for free, then PDFelement is one to check out. All you need to do to use the app for free is to register for a Wondershare account.

With PDFelement, you're able to view and edit PDFs right on your iPad, or even your best iPhone , with ease. The annotation and markup features include highlighting, underlining, strikethrough, text boxes, call-outs, stamps, and freehand drawing. It also does many other things, like fill and sign forms, convert PDFs to other file formats, create and combine PDF files, and much more.

PDFelement Lite will only work on native PDF files. This means you can't use the app with scanned or raster PDFs.

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PDF Reader - PDFelement

PDFelement provides a lot of useful PDF markup and annotation features, and then some, all for free if you sign up for a free Wondershare account.

iPad and Apple Pencil, like pen and paper, is a match made in heaven

You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.

As you can see, when you have a great iPad with an Apple Pencil, marking up and annotating PDFs is an easy task. Having an iPad with Apple Pencil is a fantastic combo that feels natural like pen and paper, so even signing and filling out forms electronically just feels right.

Even though this list of apps is meant for the iPad and Apple Pencil, a lot of these are universal apps. That means you can even use them on your best iPhone as well, such as the iPhone 14 . After all, sometimes you just need to sign a document when you're away from your Mac and iPad, but your iPhone is pretty much with you all the time. Also keep in mind that you don't actually need an Apple Pencil for any of these apps, it's just nice to have when you're doing a lot of annotating.

No matter which device you're using, these are still what we consider to be the best PDF markup and annotation apps for iOS . Now get out there and markup and sign to your heart's content! 

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Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

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annotate articles ipad app

How-To Geek

How to highlight and annotate pdfs on your ipad.

Studying on your iPad and need to highlight and annotate PDFs? You can do this quite easily using a free app!

Quick Links

Getting started with pdf expert 7 for ipad, alternative pdf apps for ipad.

The iPad is a great way to read PDFs, but what if you want to highlight parts of it, take notes, or add some text? Here's how you can do this using the free PDF Expert 7 app.

You'll find a plethora of PDF viewer and annotation apps on the App Store. We tested a handful of them before recommending PDF Expert 7. The app strikes the right balance between simplicity and functionality. The interface is easy to understand, and you can pick up the features quite easily.

PDF Expert 7 is Readdle's free PDF editor app for iPhone and iPad. The free version of the app lets you highlight, annotate, and take notes on the iPad. If you want to edit the PDF text or the pages themselves, you can pay for the $49.99/year PDF Expert Pro subscription.

Once you download the PDF Expert 7 app, open it and look around. You can use its sample PDF to learn how to use the app as well.

Now, go to the app where you've saved the PDF that you want to highlight. This can be the Files app, Books app, or even Safari . After opening the PDF, tap on the "Share" button.

Here, from the Apps section, tap on the "More" button.

Tap on Share button from PDF and select the More button in Apps section

Then, choose the "Copy to PDF Expert" option. If you're using iPadOS 13 or higher, you'll also find the "Copy to PDF Expert" option at the bottom of the Share sheet in the Actions section.

Tap on Copy to PDF Expert option

Related: How to Customize the Share Sheet on Your iPhone or iPad

This action will directly open the PDF Expert 7 app, with the PDF imported and ready to go.

At the top of the app, you'll find the tab interface. Here, make sure that the "Annotate" tab is selected. Below it, you'll see buttons for highlighting text, adding text, using a highlighter tool and the pen tool, and a lot more.

Take a look at the Annotate toolbar in PDF Expert 7

The first tool is the "Highlight" tool. Tap on it to select it. If you want to change the color, you can tap on the color palette icon next to it.

Next, tap on the text you want to highlight and swipe until you reach the end. Lift your finger or your Apple Pencil, and the app will highlight the text for you in a neat and orderly fashion.

Tap on the Highlight tool

If you want to underline text instead of highlighting, you can use the "A" icon with an underline.

You can also first select the text and then take action on it. For instance, select some text where you want to add a note and then from the popup menu, tap on the "Note" button.

Select the text and then tap on the Note button

The app will show you a notes area. Type out the note and then tap on the "Done" button to go back.

Tap on the Done button after writing the note

If you simply want to take notes in the blank area of a page, or you want to highlight words manually, tap on the "Pen" icon from the top (or the "Marker" icon).

Then use your Apple Pencil or your finger to doodle or highlight the page.

Tap on the Pen button to doodle on the PDF

If your handwriting isn't quite as good, you can tap on the "T" button from the toolbar to create a text box. Here, you can write anything you want on the PDF (and you can customize the font, font size, and the color as well).

Use the Text feature to add a text box in the PDF

Once you're done highlighting and annotating the PDF, you'll want to share it with someone, or you might want to save it to an external drive using the Files app .

To do this, tap on the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner, then choose the "Share" option.

Tap on the Share button from the menu

The app will now give you three options, all of which will carry over your annotations. You can share the Original Document (with editable annotations, signatures, and form fields), share a Flattened Copy (protecting your annotations and forms from editing), or you can just share the Annotated Pages.

Once you've made your selection, tap on the "Share" button.

Select the format and then tap on the Share button

This will bring up the familiar Share sheet. You can choose the app you want to share it with (like Apple Books, Mail, and so on).

Select the app to share the PDF to

If you don't like PDF Expert 7, take a look at some of the options that we considered during our research for this guide.

Apple Books

Apple Books app showing highlight and notes feature

If you simply want to highlight PDFs, you can use the built-in Apple Books app, but we found the app a bit too cumbersome to use. Highlighting with Apple Pencil is not seamless, plus you can only add notes to parts that you highlight. There's no freeform doodle feature either.

GoodNotes 5

GoodNotes 5 using the Marker feature to annotate

GoodNotes 5 is considered the most powerful note-taking app on iPad but only a few of the features translate to highlighting and annotating PDFs. While GoodNotes 5 has a feature-rich Pen and Marker tool, the highlight tool is missing altogether (and the Draw in Straight Line option isn't a good alternative). If you already use GoodNotes 5 for handwritten notes, you can try using it for annotating PDFs as well.

LiquidText showing a PDF annotation

This is the big-daddy of PDF viewing and editing apps. The app has a unique interface where you can select text from the PDF and drag it to the research area. You can take notes, make drawings, then link them to a particular part of the PDF. If you need to make your way through a 100-page research document on your iPad Pro, LiquidText will feel like a godsend. But for everyone else, PDF Expert 7 is a better option.

Apple Pencil isn't the only input method that you can use on your iPad. Starting with iPadOS 13, you can now pair and use a mouse with your iPad .

Related: How to Use a Mouse With Your iPad or iPhone

The 7 Best Apps to Sign, Annotate, and Edit PDFs on an iPad

If you find yourself dealing with a lot of PDF files on your iPad, you'll want a good PDF editor before long. Here are your best options.

If you find yourself dealing with many PDF files, it's only natural you'll want something other than the Apple Books app before long. While it provides a friendly interface for reading, its value diminishes if you try to annotate, edit, or sign a document on your iPad.

You might want some good PDF apps if you work with such files regularly on the iPad. Below, we've curated a list of the best PDF apps for your iPad to help you quickly annotate, edit, and sign documents.

1. Apple's Files App

PDF Annotation Tools in the Files app on iPad

If you want essential editing tools, annotation features, and the ability to add signatures in your PDFs, then the default Files app on iPad is more than enough. Besides, you can connect services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and many others and manage their files within the app.

Moreover, placing your PDF or any other files in the iCloud folder syncs to your Mac and iPhone. You get Apple Pencil support, which makes annotating and signing documents easy. Also, you don't need to install it from the App Store since it comes on board with iPadOS.

Download: Files (Free)

2. Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Pro with a PDF open on iPad

Adobe's Acrobat Reader has been one of the gold standards on PCs for viewing and editing PDFs, and the Acrobat Reader on the iPad is no different. The app is lightweight and lets you open any PDF file. It comes with Liquid Mode, which uses AI to enhance the PDF layout to make it easier to read while keeping all the tools handy.

When it comes to editing, you get all the necessary tools to annotate with sticky notes, highlight text, and add text or drawings. With the form filler feature, you can quickly fill out all the forms and add your signature to PDFs with your finger, Apple Pencil, or any other Apple Pencil alternatives for the iPad .

Adobe Acrobat is free to download and lets you view PDFs with ease. However, if you want to edit PDFs, you'll need the Premium subscription, which costs $9.99/month or $69.99/year. There's a 7-day free trial, so you can check out the features and decide.

Download: Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free, subscription available)

3. PDF Viewer

Different PDF tools on PDF Viewer on iPad

PDF Viewer packs a ton of advanced features, unlike other PDF apps. It features editing features like moving, rotating, deleting, adding new pages to an existing PDF, and combining multiple PDFs. You can also sign and annotate documents with numerous tools.

However, it has an interesting feature that lets you flatten your signature or details in a form so that no one can edit them when shared. Furthermore, you can password-protect your PDFs and only allow specific users to open them. Moreover, when viewing a PDF, it can read it loud for you with the text-to-speech feature.

PDF Viewer is free with limited features, but you can unlock all perks by getting PDF Viewer Pro. The subscription costs $6.99/quarter and $19.99/year and comes with a 7-day free trial to test the features before the subscription.

Download: PDF Viewer (Free, subscription available)

4. iLovePDF

iLovePDF with different tools on iPad

iLovePDF is one of the best free online PDF editors with all the tools required for managing PDFs. Likewise, its iPad app also features the same features. You can edit PDFs with annotations, fill out forms, and add signatures like any other tool.

Moreover, you can convert your images and Microsoft Office documents to PDF and vice versa. If that's not enough, you can compress, merge, rotate, split, watermark PDFs, and even extract images from them. Furthermore, you can connect your Google Drive or Dropbox account to edit and share documents from the cloud.

iLovePDF is free to download but has limited features. You'll need to get the iLovePDF Premium subscription, which costs $5.49/month and $44.99/year to access all features.

Download: iLovePDF (Free, subscription available)

5. PDF Expert

PDF Expert app Annotation Tools on iPad

If you want more than simple PDF editing tools, try PDF Expert. It allows you to do all the essential things, like viewing PDFs, annotating and highlighting text, adding notes, and more. Apart from these, you can convert, fill out forms, merge, and compress PDFs.

Furthermore, if you annotate a lot, you'll love its construction tools that let you scale and measure drawings and add shapes, and it has redline tools. You can also password-protect your files and collaborate with others on different PDF files.

It comes with a presentation mode, which is helpful when presenting a PDF file. PDF Expert is free but with fewer abilities, meaning you'll need the PDF Expert Premium subscription for $79.99/year to unlock all the features.

Download: PDF Expert (Free, subscription available)

6. PDFelement

PDFelement app with a PDF open on iPad

If you're looking for a simple yet powerful PDF app, you can go with PDFelement. Besides creating and editing PDFs, Wondershare's PDFelement also features OCR support that lets you extract and recognize the text for editing or only extract it to a TXT file.

Moreover, you can quickly fill and sign forms and flatten the PDF to invalidate interactive comments. It allows you to compress, merge, and convert PDFs, and also one of the tools to compare two PDFs side by side . If you wish to protect any PDF file, you can set a password.

Wondershare PDFelement is free to download and use with limited access to features. To unlock all the features, you'll have to get the Premium subscription that costs $6.99/month and $29.99/year for one platform.

Download: PDFelement (Free, subscription available)

UPDF Annotation tools on iPad

UPDF is one of the fastest and most lightweight PDF editing tools you can install on your iPad. It features an intuitive interface and doubles as a file manager where you can view and manage all your PDFs and different file formats, like PPT, TXT, HTML, DOCX, XLS, JPG, PNG, MP3, MP4, and many others.

You can secure files with Face ID or Touch ID and an additional password if required. This app lets you sign and annotate PDFs with tools like sticky notes, different pens, and many more. Moreover, if you highlight any text irregularly, it automatically corrects it. Furthermore, UPDF allows you to scan any document with the camera and convert it into a PDF.

You can download and use UPDF for free. However, you'll need the Pro subscription for features like scanning and converting PDFs with OCR, unlimited security space, and passcode/Touch ID/Face ID support. UPDF Pro is available for $14.99/month or $29.99/year and a one-time fee of $49.99.

Download: UPDF (Free, subscription available)

Get More Done With These iPad PDF Apps

There are many benefits of using PDFs; they're compact, visually appealing, have better protection, and are compatible with most platforms. The iPad has become a go-to device for most users, and therefore, a good PDF editor is necessary.

These PDF apps can help you manage your PDFs and do more with them if you need. If you've got an Apple Pencil with iPad, it works much better with these PDF apps. But if you also have a Mac, you can insert sketches or markup documents on your Mac using your iPad.

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Best PDF annotation apps for iPad (Apple pencil optimized)

Best pdf annotation apps ipad

A PDF Annotation app comes into play when you highlight or mark up anything interesting on the web, PDF, or other sources. Annotating can be like editing, marking up or adding notes to webpages, PDFs, or any other documents.

With such apps you can highlight and save crucial information on the Go. While coop up all files at one place or drop them to cloud storage without the fear of losing them.

Simply put, the goal of using such apps is not merely to annotate files but also to save unnecessary costs spent on inks, papers, and other materials.

More interestingly, a PDF annotator app enables you to mark up text in colors, adjust tip’s size, save notes, add texts, convert files, and much more.

To be blunt, Unless you are a teacher, you don’t need a markup pen as much as do you require the best markup app to manage and annotate stuff.  

Best PDF annotation apps for iOS to annotate texts (Optimized for Apple pencil). 

Pdf cabinet.

pdf cabinet app

It’s the best annotation iPad app to read and annotate PDFs with real-time collaboration with friends. It sizes around 76 MB and supports more than 11 languages, including German, Italian, Korean, and Japanese.

Best of all, It has a simple User interface so that you don’t lose yourself in menus, buttons, or settings, or you’ll be able to read files effortlessly. 

Optimized for larger files, the app lets you upload documents formats like .doc, .xls, .ppt, and others. To get started, all you need to do is upload a PDF that you want to read and annotate, and you’re all set to go.

There are tutorials wrapped up in the sample PDF files that you can learn to know more about the app’s settings and tools. Apart from that, it makes it easier to mark up colorful texts, add notes, and interact with friends.

Key Features –

  • Supports large documents and multiple files format.
  • Perfect for skimming, document sharing, and reading files.
  • Optimized for apple pencil.
  • Multiple linguistic support.

Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF Maker

It is a full-fledge iPad app for customizing PDFs with the support of adobe cloud storage. It lets you edit and annotate texts and merge multiple files into a single PDF without having you rely on third-party applications.

With its intuitive user interface, you will be able to view and annotate PDF documents effortlessly. The app also allows you to search, scroll, quick view PDFs, and choose a single or continuous scroll page mode.

adobe acrobat annotation app

It takes you one step further with its annotation tools allow users to highlight and append texts using apple pencil (use for better precision).

Besides, commenting on PDFs becomes far more engaging using sticky notes and drawing tools. Best of all, the app is free and is backed by adobe scan, and other adobe products too.

key features

  • Allows users to write notes on PDF using drawing tools and sticky notes.
  • Supports apple pencil for iPad pro.
  • Users can import Adobe scan documents and convert them into a single PDF.
  • Has an intuitive user interface with straightforward navigation.

More adobe apps.

flexcil annotation app

It is a great iPad app designed for annotating and editing notes on PDF and templates with ease. Whether you are a student or a teacher, Flexcil has every tool you need to study and is backed by an apple pencil for precision note-taking ability.

When it comes to taking notes, it allows you to drag texts and images from files into a fancy template with a real-pen gesture technology helping you save time transcribing summary.

Just take notes directly on PDF, markup, or underline texts using a finger or a stylus with Flexible. Not only has it the best tools to forge your abilities, but also users can organize notes by subjects and manage PDFs the way they want.

Despite offering such impressive utilities like pens, cloud storage, and folder support, it doesn’t charge you except when going further with editing PDFs and notes and unlocking add-on to access everything with no strings attached.

  • Make a job easier by drag and drop feature.
  • Has a wide range of real-pens gestures optimized for any stylus to give precision on taking notes.
  • Support dropbox, Goole drive, One drive e.t.c for backup and sync.
  • Allow users to markup texts, add notes, and edit files flawlessly.
  • Has a manageable user interface tailored to help students organize notes by subjects.

Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit can be your go-to app for creating, editing, and annotating PDFs for iPhones and iPads. It’s as simple as it seems; you import PDFs, either by scanning or uploading, and you can convert PDFs to files and merge file documents to create PDFs.

As well as creating password-protected PDF documents, the app also adds a handwritten signature to PDF with an existing digital certificate.

foxit pdf reader for mark up

With being the most lightweight PDF annotation app, it has support for more than 12 languages. It complaints with the current PDF ecosystem, meaning, any PDF file can view and edit.

Its intuitive and powerful user interface makes sure you can search texts within files, read books aloud, copy, and delete.

Using Foxit, You can create and export PDFs to images, office docs, readers, and HTML files. If you have an iPad 3 or higher, you can also be able to scan and convert PDF documents to PDFs.

Key Features

  • Users can add handwritten signatures to PDFs.
  • Sign digital signature and protect documents with passwords.
  • Scan and convert Documents to PDF.
  • Easily export PDF documents to Microsoft office, texts, and HTML.
  • Back cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive e.t.c.
  • Fill forms and create PDF files from scratch.
  • Easy to use navigation with full conventional tools.

best pdf annotation app by readdle

Documents is the central hub for all your files, developed by Readdle, a renowned name in digital technology. You can use the Documents to read books, annotate, listen to any files On the go.

Surprisingly, it’s much more than a conventional PDF markup app, as it has loads of features to offer like – Stream video player, a fast and secure browser, VPN, and to name a few. You can download anything from the web using the app – be it a video, image, audio, or web page itself.

You would be surprised by the fact that the app even lets you mark up images, enabling users to use all the iPad’s image editing tools – use apple pencil for precision.

The file management system is so intuitive you can unzip files, create tags, colors, folders, rename files, and even open two Readdle apps in split mode to move files between them.

At its core, it converts anything into a PDF, sign, and protect with a password so that others can’t access your files without your permission.

Besides, the VPN can secure your connection from evil eye snoops. While you have access to restricted Apps or Websites. Above all, you can watch movies without the internet by just importing files from your computer or online resources.

Key Features 

  • Integrated with file manager and media player.
  • Saves, converts, and protects files.
  • Download files, and save web pages to read them later.
  • Has an intuitive file management system with cloud storage, media, and files all in one place.
  • Users can unzip/zip, create and organize folder by name, color, and tags.
  • Back up and sync files to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other services without download.
  • Let’s edit texts, images, links, pages.
  • Mark up files (optimized for iPad 3 >).

Wrapping up 

These are the best PDF annotation apps for iOS (iPad and iPhone) built to supercharge Documents. These apps are the best fit for annotating files.

Also, offer privacy for files and deliver unmatched file management systems. Besides, you can import files and organize them by different categories, colors, and tags. As a user, you can view, read, create, and convert PDFs or any document at a tap of a button.

We’ve rounded up these apps based on performance, features, and especially how useful they are for users.

We’ll update the list when we find other PDF markup or annotation apps for the iPad. Thanks for the read. Share this article to help others get more productive.

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Top 5 PDF Annotator for iPad and iPhone in 2024 (iOS 17 Supported)

Table of content

  • Part 1: Top 5 PDF Annotator Apps for iPad and iPhone
  • Part 2: How to Annotate PDF on iPad
  • Part 3: How to Annotate PDF on iPhone

Apple Pencil makes annotating PDFs on iPad more convenient. Taking notes with an iPad is much more refined. However, finding the best PDF annotator on iPad and iPhone looks difficult. The PDF file format is the preferred configuration for documents as it helps them retain their designs appropriately. Then, it also enables document creators and users to keep their content almost permanently.

However, all these features may present complications. For example, they make PDFs challenging to edit. Don't worry, here are the top mobile apps to annotate PDFs on iPad and iPhone.

Top 5 PDF Annotator Apps for iPad and iPhone

Several PDF annotator apps for the iPad and iPhone can be found in the Apple Store. However, you don't need to go through the stress of making a selection as we have narrowed down the list to the best possible five here. Some of these apps are generalist tools in that they can annotate PDFs on iPad and iPhone while doing other things. Check them below:

UPDF for iOS app would easily rank top of our choice of iPad annotation apps. Although it is a comprehensive PDF manager, the app contains a rich set of tools that make annotating and editing PDFs effortless.

These annotation tools include the writing pen, shapes, stamps, strikeouts, erasers, underlining, highlighting, text callouts, stickers, signatures, etc. With UPDF, you can alter your viewing setup, markup PDFs, add text and images to PDFs, edit PDFs, draw figures, and make comments in the margins.

Beyond all the above, UPDF is a comprehensive PDF tool that enables you to access and manage various file formats. In addition, you can convert photos to PDF. There is an inbuilt smart scanner with which you take images and convert same into PDFs. The best thing about UPDF is built-in AI can help you translate, summarize, explain, and rewrite PDF. If you want to chat with it, it can do that too.

Finally, your documents are safe as the app provides inbuilt security features such as Face ID and passcodes. Sounds great, right? Don't wait anymore, click the download button below to get this powerful app.

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how to annotate pdf on ipad updf

2) Documents by Readdle

Documents by Readdle is a comprehensive file management app available for devices running iOS. With Documents, you can create and manage files of any type - videos, images, epubs, PDFs, and more.

However, one of its most important applications is its PDF function tool. The app does away with the notion that PDF files are uneditable and empowers users with the tools to modify them as desired. First, you can adjust the text on the PDF as you wish. For instance, you can embolden and increase the sizes of certain sections and highlight them using an attractive set of colors. You can also change the font colors or switch the font types altogether.

Then, when dealing with image-based PDFs, you get the tools to make them extractable, essentially converting them into text-based files. This also makes it possible to highlight sections of such PDFs, just as you would easily do with a text-based file.

pdf annotator ipad documents

3)   Notability

Although it was developed as a note-taking app, Notability has quickly become one of the best PDF annotation apps for iPad and iPhone. Notability combines document and notes management capabilities with premium PDF editing tools.

In addition to what other PDF annotation apps on iPad can do, Notability contains trendy features such as the ability to merge documents. Essentially, users can combine various PDF documents into one while perfectly retaining the formatting. In the course of editing documents, you can also import images and highlight texts with multiple colors. In addition, there is a Bookmarking feature, making it possible for users to quickly locate certain pages later. If, after making all the necessary edits, you wish to share the note with others, Notability also makes that effortless. You can send the document out using just a link.

A key feature of Notability is that it provides top-notch tech that most other iPad annotation apps don't offer. One of such is the handwriting-to-text tool. While other PDF annotation apps for iPad enable you to make notes with your hands, you should note that free handwriting has its downsides. For instance, not everyone can grasp the writing. However, Notability has AI tools that recognize these handwritten notes and convert them to texts in computer fonts.

The most advanced feature is the audio recording tool via which users can take down voice notes and embed them within the PDF document. You will agree that often, people are more expressive in speech than in writing. As such, getting their thoughts down using their own voices is a highly desirable feature.

annotate pdf on ipad notability

4)   PDF Expert

PDF Expert is another software that makes the list of best apps to annotate PDFs. While it can perform several other standard PDF annotation functions, PDF Expert further enables signing and filling. Thus, if your PDF document is a form, letter, or contract that requires signing or filling, then PDF Expert is your tool.

Furthermore, you can export them from one PDF document to another after making your annotations.

Importantly, it is one of the few best annotation apps for iPad that allows for collaboration. Thus, you can make comments while working with others on documents.

Finally, whatever you do on the app syncs across all devices - iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

pdf annotator app pdf expert

5)   iAnnotate 4

iAnnotate is another top contender for the best annotation app for iPad and iPhone. One of its most unique features is the writing experience, as it enables making notes on a PDF, just as you would have it on paper. Then, after making the annotations, you can drag and drop them in any part of the document.

Other things you can do with iAnnotate include strikeout, signature, and making sound clips to embed within the PDF.

best pdf annotation app for ipad iannotate 4

How to Annotate PDF on iPad

Of all the apps discussed above, UPDF offers the best combination of features. As such, we will be discussing, in brief, steps to annotate PDF on iPad.

  • Launch the UPDF and search for the PDF file you wish to annotate. The PDF file can be on your phone storage or the cloud.
  • Click the "Comment" icon on the top-right corner. Select the section of the document you wish to annotate.
  • There are various tools for annotating, including a highlighter, marker, and eraser to make corrections.
  • Tap the annotation tool using your fingers or Apple Pencil, although the Pencil appears to give a more seamless experience.
  • Click on "Save" to save the changes made.

pdf annotation app ipad

How to Annotate PDF on iPhone

The process for annotating PDFs on the UPDF app is similar to the iPad. The downside is that you cannot use the attractive tools on the Apple Pencil. Nonetheless, you can achieve just as much with the UPDF iPhone app.

  • On the PDF file, navigate to the array of available annotation tools, including a handwriting tool/pen, highlighter, and underline tool, among others.
  • You can further set the color and thickness for the highlighter and handwriting tool.
  • After selecting the tool to use, navigate to the document section where you wish to apply the tool.
  • If you make mistakes, for instance, applying the tool in the wrong section, an eraser is available to undo them.

best app to annotate pdf

Satisfied with the UPDF? Want to unlock more features of UPDF? Upgrade to UPDF Pro to annotate PDF on iPad and iPhone effortlessly.

Annotating tools for PDFs provide lots of utility as they enable you to bring more life to the document. This converts the PDF file from one that is uneditable to a seamlessly alterable document.

Nonetheless, it is essential that you use only the best annotation apps for iPad and iPhone when annotating. We have conducted thorough research and have outlined the top five here. We introduce UPDF as the first one, because of its useful and variety of functions. Markup, adding text, adding shape, adding notes, and highlighting PDFs can be easily done in UPDF. It's time to download it and have a trial.

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Elise Williams

2023-09-26 14:14:41 • Filed to: iOS PDF Apps • Proven solutions

The iPad pencil provides iPad users with greater precision and power. From taking handwritten notes to manipulating documents and everything in-between, the iPad Pro pencil is an unmatchable input device for the iPad. But the default notes app does not allow iPad users to harness the full potential of the pencil in terms of annotation and writing. Although it comes with veritable functions like text recognition search, annotation, and sketching, it still lags behind the best PDF note-taking apps for iPad in terms of cutting-edge functionalities. It might prove a veritable tool for note-taking at school and other basic usages. But the following note-taking apps allow users to do more than just annotate PDF iPad .

1 . PDFelement - Best Free PDF Annotator

When it comes to the free PDF annotation app for iPad Pro, PDFelement for iOS is arguably the leader of the pack. It offers users a wide array of annotating tools ranging from highlighters to shapes. In addition, it also provides users with functionalities like stamps, strikeouts, commenting, and more. Users can also fill forms and inscribe personal signatures using the app together with their iPad pro pencils.

download pdf app ios

Besides providing users with an app to annotate PDF on iPad pro, PDFelement allows users to reorganize pages on PDF files and also to store PDF files in neat catalogs.

2. PDF Expert

As the product name implies, PDF Expert is an iPad pro PDF annotation app with a cutting edge. With the app, users can open PDF files directly from cloud services like iCloud, sign documents, and fill forms. With annotation functionalities like shapes, strikeouts, and highlighters, PDF expert makes for an exciting user experience in terms of making PDF annotation with iPad pro pencil. Users can also rearrange, add, and delete PDF pages. What’s more, the app comes with an inbuilt compressor that allows users to zip files with password protection. PDF Expert's in-app pro upgrade allows users to redact texts and edit images, in addition to other benefits.

best pdf annotator ipad

3. PDF Markup

This is another great app for PDF annotation on iPad pro. It offers a veritable tool for scanning, viewing, annotating, and organizing PDF files and files in other formats. With annotation functions like sticky notes, shapes, text boxes, and arrows, the app is a great annotation app, especially for people who’re just getting to learn how to annotate PDF on iPad pro. It also allows users to fill PDF forms, sign forms, and create customized stamps. Users can also highlight web pages and link the web highlights to PDFs.

Another outstanding feature of the iPad pro PDF Markup is its file transfer and backup functionalities. This allows users to transfer, download, and sync PDF files through cloud services and with other devices. In-app purchases are also available. These provide users with functionalities such as Text to Speech, PDF watermark, rearrange/add/delete PDF pages, PDF file converter, and appreciable storage space on Kdan Cloud.

annotate pdf ipad pro

4. Notability

With its highly intuitive interface, Notability is one of the best apps for people who're just starting to learn how to write notes on PDF files on iPad. It comes with a tutorial that shows readers how to use the various functionalities of the app. Notability packs a punch of functionalities, featuring functions for handwriting, sketching, integration of audio and photos in PDF documents, and lots more. Users also get to choose the paper color, style as well as font size with which they prefer to read PDF files.

The app also allows users to share and sync documents through cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, and Google drive.

Overall, the app proves to be an excellent tool that supports PDF annotation with an iPad pro pencil.

ios pdf annotation

5. Adobe Acrobat Reader

This one comes in with a ringer of popularity. Not only does it allow users to manipulate PDF files stored locally on devices, but it also allows users to open PDF files from cloud-based platforms in a snap. With annotation functionalities like sticky notes shapes, highlighters, and arrows, the app makes for an incredible user experience. In addition, users can work with scanned PDF files, transfer files via cloud services like iCloud and Google Drive, and also between multiple devices via WiFi.

Users can also access a host of other features through in-app purchases. These include functions for creating and converting PDF files and others for rearranging, deleting, and adding PDF pages.

Conclusion: The iPad pro pencil enhances flexibility and accuracy when it comes to inputting on iPad pro. It simplifies the management of documents on iPad pro. IPad users find it easier to fill forms, annotate PDF files, and create handwritten notes using the iPad pro pencil. However, the aforementioned tools give a cutting edge to the capabilities of the iPad pro pencil. The iPad pro pencil, when used in combination with the aforementioned apps, can serve as an unmatchable, veritable note-taking and annotation tool for a wide array of user agents, from students to lawyers and web content creators and everyone in-between.

how to annotate pdf on ipad

6. PDF Viewer

If you are looking for a clean and simple interface, PDF Viewer must be your choice. It has powerful annotation tools for users who need something exceptional, primarily more than iOS’s Markup tool provides. Sometimes PDF apps interface can seem difficult to users, but PDF Viewer can manage that quite finely by taking a page from Apple’s own iWork suite. While you are looking at document, you will be given a number of tools for zooming, sharing, and browsing through annotations. It has easy to understand annotation tools for fresh users. The software has the capability to rearrange, delete, or insert blank pages within a PDF.

pdf viewer

7. LiquidText

It is a perfect application for projects, novels, research papers, and dusty libraries. To finely organize your research, LiquidText is the best. The software has the remarkable capability to annotate lengthy documents and gives its users a lot of tools too. To pinch together large sections together, you can use multi-touch gestures. You can also pull annotations out from the document. Using LiquidText, you can organize documents like never before. It has simple interface with lightning fast speed for its users. For a swift workflow, this software is preferable.

liquidtext pdf

If you have PDF Pen, you have everything in one place. You can make changes to a PDF without any designer, ultimately improving the workflow and productivity. It also gives you advanced security features. Moreover, you can store your PDFs wherever you want. Sign with your secure and trusted digital signature. It is a powerful tool that allows you to instantly view, draw, highlight, comment, fill, and sign without any trouble. You can add, delete, or reorder pages, and share documents with PDFpen for Mac. User drag and drop options to reorder any document. It also gives you the ability to combine documents with drag and drop option.

https://images.wondershare.com/pdfelement/images2021/other/pdfpen.jpg

pdfpen

9. iAnnotate PDF

Are you planning to maximize your productivity when it comes to dealing with PDFs? Well, iAnnotate PDF is one of the finest software available in the market. Apart from the basic tools, it has more features to enhance your creativity. It gives you a streamlined experience along with keyboard shortcuts for you to maximize the efficiency. Markups on the document can be saved directly. iAnnotate is the best choice if you are planning to prevent unauthorized modifications. Plus, you don’t need to worry about in-app purchases.

iannotate

10. PDF Reader

Looking for a free astonishing software? PDF Reader gives you the ability to use basic tools to view, annotate, combine, organize, and even sign PDFs without any problem. It has also an OCR converter feature that gives you the option to extract text content from images and search through them. It links you to cloud services, allowing you to save your PDFs with ease. If you want to upgrade, it gives this option too. The upgraded services for PDF Reader include Document 365.

pdf reader

11. PDF Cabinet

To read and annotate PDFs with real-time collaboration with peers, you can use PDF Cabinet. The software supports more than 11 languages such as Italian, Korean, German, and Japanese. It has a decent size of 76 MB. It has a basic interface for the people who don’t deal with PDFs frequently. PDF Cabinet allows you to upload document formats like doc, xls, ppt, and many others. Just upload the PDF you want to annotate and you are set to go. To make the experience more mesmerizing, the software makes it easier to add notes, mark up colorful texts, and interact with other people.

pdf cabinet

12. Flexcil

To edit notes with ease, Flexcil comes with a user-friendly interface. To study any document, it gives you a number of tools whether you are a student or a teacher. It is backed up with Apple pencil for accurate ability to take notes. Using the software, you can drag texts and images from files into any template of your choice. The real pen gesture technology of this application is one of the most cherished features. You can take notes directly on PDF and underline text using finger or a stylus. It has impressive utilities such as pens, cloud storage, and folders support.

flexcil annotation

13. Foxit Reader

For a swift experience on iPhone and iPads, Foxit Reader is always suggested. It’s a simple software where you just have to upload any PDF to annotate. You can even convert or merge PDFs with ease. Creating password-protected PDFs isn’t a big deal when you have Foxit Reader. It also has the ability to add hand written signature to a PDF file. It is one of the most lightweight PDF annotation application and it supports more than 12 languages. Create and export PDFs to images, docs, readers or even HTLM files. Foxit Reader allows you to fill forms and create PDF files from scratch.

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5 Free PDF Annotation App For IPhone And IPad

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Are you tired of manually highlighting and making notes in your PDF documents? Well, fret no more! With the advancement of technology, there are now numerous PDF annotation apps available that can revolutionize the way you interact with your documents on your iPhone and iPad. These apps offer a wide range of features that allow you to annotate, highlight, underline, and even sign PDFs with ease.

In this article, we will introduce you to five free PDF annotation apps that are specifically designed for iPhone and iPad users. Whether you need to mark up important points in a presentation, add comments to a research paper, or simply want to make notes on your favorite novel, these apps have got you covered. So, let’s dive into the world of PDF annotation apps and discover the tools that will enhance your productivity and streamline your document management process.

Inside This Article

Note-taking, collaboration.

Gone are the days of printing out documents just to annotate them with a pen. With the plethora of PDF annotation apps available for iPhone and iPad, you can now easily add comments, highlight text, and draw on PDFs right on your mobile device. These apps offer features that make annotating PDFs a breeze, and the best part is, many of them are free to use.

If you’re looking for a PDF annotation app that allows you to mark up files on your iPhone or iPad, here are five top-notch options you should consider:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader – Adobe Acrobat Reader is a popular choice for PDF annotation and offers a wide range of robust tools. With this app, you can highlight text, add comments, fill out forms, and even sign documents. It also provides cloud storage integration, so you can easily access and sync your annotated files across devices.
  • GoodNotes – GoodNotes is not only a great note-taking app, but it also excels in PDF annotation. It allows you to annotate PDF files with different writing tools, such as a pen, highlighter, or pencil. This app also offers Palm Rejection technology, which ensures that your hand won’t interfere while writing or drawing on the document.
  • Microsoft OneNote – While primarily known for its note-taking capabilities, Microsoft OneNote also doubles as a powerful PDF annotation app. With its intuitive interface, you can easily add notes, highlight text, and draw on PDFs. OneNote also supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to work together on the same document simultaneously.
  • PDF Expert – PDF Expert is a feature-rich app that provides advanced PDF annotation tools. It offers options to highlight text, underline, strikethrough, and add shapes and symbols to your PDFs. This app also supports audio annotations, allowing you to record and attach voice memos to your documents.
  • Notability – Notability is known for its versatility in note-taking, but it’s also an excellent PDF annotation app. It allows you to highlight, underline, and draw on your PDFs, with a wide range of colors and brushes to choose from. You can also record audio while annotating, making it ideal for lectures or meetings.

With these free PDF annotation apps for iPhone and iPad, you can easily add comments, highlight text, and make notes on your PDF documents. Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone who frequently works with PDFs, these apps offer the convenience and functionality you need to make your mark. So go ahead, download one today, and take your PDF annotation experience to the next level.

Markup is an essential feature for any PDF annotation app, as it allows users to highlight, underline, and strikethrough text, as well as add comments and notes to specific sections of a document. Whether you’re a student looking to annotate study materials or a professional needing to review and edit documents on the go, having a PDF annotation app with robust markup capabilities is crucial.

Fortunately, there are several free PDF annotation apps available for iPhone and iPad that offer powerful markup tools. These apps allow you to easily annotate PDF documents with various markup options, enhancing your productivity and efficiency. Let’s take a look at five of the best free PDF annotation apps that excel in Markup:

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader : Adobe Acrobat Reader is a widely popular PDF reader that also offers robust annotation features. With this app, you can highlight text, underline, and strikethrough content, add sticky notes, and draw shapes and lines. The intuitive interface and seamless integration with Adobe Document Cloud make it a top choice for both personal and professional use.

2. PDF Expert : PDF Expert comes with an impressive set of markup tools, making it a favorite among professionals. You can highlight text, draw shapes, add text boxes, underline and strikethrough content, and even add your signature. The app’s smooth and fluid user interface, along with its advanced editing options, sets it apart from other annotation apps.

3. GoodReader : GoodReader is known for its versatility and powerful annotation tools. It allows you to highlight text, underline and strikethrough content, add comments and notes, draw shapes and lines, and even fill out forms. The app also supports advanced features like text-to-speech and PDF link annotations, making it suitable for a wide range of needs.

4. Apple Books : While primarily a digital bookstore, Apple Books also offers basic markup options for PDF documents. You can highlight text, underline and strikethrough content, and add notes. The app’s simplicity and seamless integration with your Apple device make it a convenient choice for occasional annotation needs.

5. Foxit PDF Reader : Foxit PDF Reader is a feature-rich PDF annotation app that offers a wide range of markup options. You can highlight text, underline and strikethrough content, add comments and notes, draw shapes and lines, and even create custom stamps. The app’s robust editing tools and support for multiple cloud storage services make it a reliable choice for professional use.

These free PDF annotation apps for iPhone and iPad provide excellent markup capabilities, allowing you to effortlessly annotate and review your documents on the go. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who needs to work with PDF files regularly, having access to these quality apps will greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency.

When it comes to staying organized and jotting down important information on the go, having a reliable note-taking app can be a real game-changer. Whether you need to quickly capture meeting minutes, create to-do lists, or write down ideas for your next project, there are plenty of note-taking apps available for iPhone and iPad users. Here are five free options to consider:

1. Evernote: Known for its versatility and robust features, Evernote is a popular choice for note-taking. It allows you to create and organize notes using text, images, and voice recordings. With its powerful search capabilities and seamless syncing across devices, you can access your notes anytime, anywhere.

2. Microsoft OneNote: As part of the Microsoft Office suite, OneNote offers a comprehensive note-taking experience. You can create and organize notes in various formats, including text, images, and drawings. The app also supports handwriting recognition, making it easy to convert handwritten notes into typed text.

3. Google Keep: If you’re looking for a simple and straightforward note-taking app, Google Keep is worth considering. It allows you to quickly create and organize notes, set reminders, and even collaborate with others in real-time. With its clean and intuitive interface, it’s a great option for those who prefer a minimalist approach.

4. Apple Notes: Built into iOS and iPadOS, Apple Notes is a reliable and user-friendly note-taking app. It offers a range of features, including the ability to add text, photos, and sketches to your notes. With iCloud integration, you can easily sync your notes across all your Apple devices.

5. Simplenote: As the name suggests, Simplenote focuses on simplicity and ease of use. This lightweight app allows you to create and organize plain text notes, without any distractions. With its fast syncing and tagging functionality, you can effortlessly find and access your notes when you need them.

Regardless of which note-taking app you choose, it’s important to find one that suits your needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a feature-rich app or a minimalist one, these five options are a great starting point to help you stay organized and keep track of your important thoughts and ideas.

Collaboration is a key aspect of many tasks and projects, and having a PDF annotation app that supports collaboration can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency. Whether you are working on a team project, conducting a review process, or simply sharing notes with colleagues or classmates, a collaborative PDF annotation app can streamline the workflow and make collaboration seamless.

With a collaborative PDF annotation app, multiple users can simultaneously annotate a PDF document, making it easy to exchange ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate in real-time. This eliminates the need for back-and-forth email exchanges or physical meetings, saving time and improving communication.

Collaborative PDF annotation apps often come with features like document sharing, real-time syncing, and commenting functionality. This allows users to share annotated PDFs with others, track changes made by different collaborators, and engage in discussions through comments and replies.

Furthermore, some collaborative PDF annotation apps provide version control, enabling users to keep track of different versions of a document and easily revert back to previous versions if needed. This is particularly useful when multiple collaborators are working on a document simultaneously and modifications need to be tracked and managed effectively.

In addition to collaboration within the app, some PDF annotation apps also offer integration with popular collaboration tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive. This enables users to seamlessly access and annotate PDFs stored on cloud platforms, further facilitating collaboration and file sharing.

Overall, a collaborative PDF annotation app is an essential tool for teams and individuals working on projects that involve document review, feedback, and collaboration. With its features designed to enhance communication and productivity, it enables multiple users to annotate, discuss, and collaborate on PDF documents in a seamless and efficient manner.

In conclusion, the availability of free PDF annotation apps for iPhone and iPad has revolutionized the way we interact with digital documents. These apps provide users with a range of powerful tools that allow for easy markup, highlighting, and note-taking directly on PDF files. Whether you need to annotate a document for work, study, or personal use, these apps offer a convenient and efficient solution. With features like handwriting recognition, cloud syncing, and seamless integration with popular cloud storage services, these apps have become indispensable tools for anyone who regularly works with PDFs on their iPhone or iPad. So, go ahead and give these free PDF annotation apps a try, and take your document management to the next level.

1. Can I annotate PDFs on my iPhone or iPad for free? Yes, there are several free PDF annotation apps available for iPhone and iPad that allow you to annotate PDFs with ease. These apps offer a range of features to enhance your PDF reading and editing experience.

2. Are these free PDF annotation apps easy to use? Absolutely! The free PDF annotation apps mentioned in this article are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. They provide simple and straightforward tools for annotating PDFs, making it easy for users of all levels of experience to take notes, highlight text, draw, and add comments.

3. Can I sync and access my annotated PDFs across devices? Yes, many of these free PDF annotation apps offer synchronization features that allow you to sync your annotations across multiple devices. This means that you can access your annotated PDFs on your iPhone and iPad interchangeably, ensuring that your annotations are always up-to-date.

4. Are there any limitations to using free PDF annotation apps? While free PDF annotation apps offer a wide range of features, it’s important to note that they may have certain limitations compared to their paid counterparts. These limitations can vary depending on the app, but they may include restricted access to advanced annotation tools, limited file storage capacity, or occasional advertisements.

5. Can I export my annotated PDFs to other file formats? Most free PDF annotation apps allow you to export your annotated PDFs to various file formats, such as PDF, JPEG, or PNG. This enables you to share your annotated PDFs with others or transfer them to different devices or applications for further editing or collaboration.

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16 Best iPad Apps for Annotating PDFs

  • by Prince Otoide
  • November 18, 2022

Best iPad Apps for Annotating PDFs

You might need to work with PDF documents as part of your job or school.

Also, it might be that you’re just looking for an easy way to highlight parts of books and articles that catch your eye; either way, you can use an iPad to make it happen.

There are lots of best iPad apps for annotating PDFs. In fact, if you’re willing to pay $10, you can do more with some of them (particularly with the PDF Expert app).

In this article, we’ll give you a breakdown of the pros and cons of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs so that you can choose the right one for your needs.

1. Notability 

Its extremely user-friendly interface and impressive feature set make it one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs.

In fact, it is a favorite among college students and business professionals. Highlights of the app include powerful handwriting recognition that can convert handwriting into text.

Furthermore, it has built-in optical character recognition (OCR) and can add rich media like audio or video annotations. Notability is a versatile note-taking tool that can be used on almost any device with a screen.

This makes it an excellent choice for iPads, other tablets, and laptops. It’s available on Apple devices for $5.99 and on Android devices for $4.99 in the Google Play store.

2. LiquidText

LiquidText is also one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs. It allows you to highlight, underline, and draw on a document.

You can also add notes and shapes to it. The app is free, but it does have a monthly subscription fee of $2.99.

So if you need to annotate many documents, it might be worth purchasing an annual subscription.

This excellent free PDF editor has been designed to allow you to read and annotate documents on your iPad easily.

There’s no need to print off or convert documents into another format. 

Besides, you can use a document scanner app on your smartphone, take a picture of each page, upload them to your desktop, and then import them to LiquidText.

This will, in turn, convert them into searchable electronic documents that you can access anywhere in seconds.

Also, it allows you to share these converted documents with anyone by sending an email address, Dropbox, or Evernote link.

3. PDF Reader – PDFelement 

PDFelement is a great PDF reader app. It is easy to use, and it syncs with Dropbox, so all your annotations are saved automatically.

You can also save documents on your device and annotate them offline before you sync them with Dropbox later. 

Moreso, the text selection tool in the app allows you to highlight and copy text from a document very easily. This comes in handy if you need to cite something quickly. 

There’s also a variety of annotation tools available in this app that allows you to draw shapes. In fact, it even writes notes on top of the document’s page or fills an entire page with sticky notes!

PDFelement is one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs out there because it combines ease of use with all sorts of useful features.

4. PDFpen 6 – PDF Editor 

As known, there are many best iPad apps for annotating PDFs, and PDFpen 6 is one of them. It’s powerful enough to do everything you might need, but its intuitive interface makes it easy to use and doesn’t get in your way.

You can highlight and annotate text, add shapes, insert tables and images, and convert files to different formats. 

Also, the app has a built-in dictionary that will help you decipher some of those fancy words you never learned in school.

If you only need one or two features, then there are other apps out there with more streamlined interfaces. However, PDFpen is perfect if you need the whole package. 

Moving on, there are plenty of free trial periods available so give it a shot before dropping any money on this one! With PDFpen 6 as our best iPad app for annotating pdfs, we have arrived at our destination.

5. PDF Viewer – Annotation Expert 

PDF Viewer – Annotation Expert is one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs. The app allows you to highlight, underline, draw arrows and shapes, and write notes in a variety of colors and styles.

The app also supports other annotation features such as comments, text boxes, stamps, and more. 

One thing we found is that if you’re using an Apple Pencil, then the app will automatically detect it. And allow you to easily annotate using gestures on the screen.

The app also has a built-in option that lets you sync all your annotations with iCloud. As a result, they’ll be available on any device that has the app installed.

6. Xodo PDF Reader & Scanner

The app has a built-in keyboard that makes it easy to create and edit text annotations on PDF documents.

Also, it allows you to import other files such as pictures, Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations. You can also export your work in different formats, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. 

What’s more about this app on our list of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs? This app is perfect for working with large documents that you need to annotate constantly.

One more thing: It’s free! If you want to go premium and get additional features like exporting images, merging pages into one document, and printing PDFs, then there are two options available: monthly ($8.99) or yearly ($47).

7. Foxit PDF Editor 

Foxit PDF Editor is one of the best apps to use with a tablet. The app has many features, such as the ability to create new documents, edit existing ones, and annotate PDF files with drawings and text.

You can also highlight passages in a document to save them or make notes on documents. And if you have an Android device, you can use Foxit MobilePDF instead of the desktop version.

It’s not quite as easy to use and takes some getting used to. But it’s totally worth it because you can take your PDF annotations anywhere, including other iOS devices! 

Overall, both are great options for those who need to annotate PDFs from their tablets. If you’re more of a learn-by-doing type of person (like me!), try downloading the app and start playing around. Once again – I think we’ve found the perfect solution for all our digital needs!

8. PDF Hero – PDF Editor & Reader 

PDF Hero, one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs, has a full-featured, free PDF editor and reader.

This lets you annotate and mark up your documents with text, shapes, stamps, signatures, highlighter pens, and more. You can also sign a document on your device using the built-in eSignature feature. 

With this app, you can import any type of document from your Camera Roll or email attachments to work on it in a matter of seconds.

You don’t have to worry about being limited to one type of file format because you can open any file (PDF or otherwise) without having to convert it first.

The user interface is simple enough so anyone can use it but powerful enough to allow you to take full advantage of all its features. It’s also lightweight and fast when opening large files, which is always a plus.

9. WPS Office 

WPS Office is one of the best apps out there for annotating a PDF. It lets you edit text, highlight, add shapes, and more. Plus, it has a built-in dictionary and other cool features that make it easy to read and understand. 

With this app, you can easily turn your iPad into an all-purpose document viewer. You can also share files with others via email or iTunes file transfer. And, if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can use this app on those devices as well! 

Additionally, the app now supports over 13 languages, including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian and Spanish.

If you are looking for the powerful and best iPad apps for annotating PDFs, then try out WPS Office today.

10. iLovePDF – PDF Editor & Scan 

Speaking of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs, iLovePDF – PDF Editor & Scan is a great option.

It allows users to annotate and edit files on their iPads and convert them into other formats, such as Word or JPEG.

Moreover, the app lets you scan documents with your device’s camera, which will automatically enhance the document. Users can also insert their signature onto any scanned document within the app. 

Another good option is Scanner Pro. It allows users to save scans in one of three file formats, including PDF, TIFF, and JPG.

The app also offers an auto-crop feature that enables you to frame an entire page with just a few taps of your finger.

This is great when you want to make sure that all of the content on a page is captured in the image.

11. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Edit PDF 

Adobe Acrobat Reader is the best app to use if you’re looking for a tool to annotate and edit PDFs. It has all of the features that you need, including an annotation toolbar and different pen colors. Plus, it’s very easy to use. 

Coupled with that, you can also easily upload and share your work with others by using the export function from within the app. This is a great app if you want to do more than just read through documents on your tablet. 

Meanwhile, the only downside is that it does not support Dropbox or iCloud storage for saving documents. If you have a lot of PDFs saved on these services, then this may not be the right app for you. Nevertheless, it is still not left off the register of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs!

12. iAnnotate 4 

iAnnotate 4 is one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs. It is available on the iOS App Store and has a free trial period .

With iAnnotate 4, you can view documents in full-screen mode and pan through them with your fingers. 

Further, you can use various annotation tools like highlights, notes, shapes, text boxes, underlines, arrows, and stamps to draw attention to specific document parts.

Some tools allow you to scan paper documents and turn them into PDFs. Uniquely, a useful feature of iAnnotate 4 is that it synchronizes changes across devices.

If you edit a document on your iPhone, it will show up as edited when you open it again on your iPad or Macbook Air.

13. PDF Expert 

PDF Expert is an all-in-one document reader, editor, and annotation tool that can help you read and annotate PDFs on your iPad.

With this app, you can take notes in the margins of your documents and highlight text to make it easier to find later on.

In addition to that, you use a variety of drawing tools to illustrate key points or annotations. In short, this is another popular tool that allows you to highlight text and draw shapes on documents with a pen or finger.

Equally important to note, you can import other files from your computer or iCloud Drive into the app so you can work on them as well.

PDF Expert has a handy search function that lets you quickly find keywords in your file and a built-in dictionary and translator.

This app also has OCR capability, so even if you cannot read what’s written on the screen, it will do it for you! These qualities qualify it as one of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs!

14. Smallpdf: PDF Scanner & Editor  

Looking for the best apps for annotating PDFs? Chill out; we are here for you! Smallpdf is the perfect app for annotating and editing PDFs on your iPad.

The app scans and converts any document into a digital version that can be edited, annotated, and exported back to an editable format. 

Plus, Smallpdf has an intuitive interface with simple navigation of scanned documents so you can focus on what matters most: the content.

When you open up a file, it’s ready for annotation. You have three tools at your disposal: a pen, a highlighter, and an eraser. 

If certain words or sentences in the text need more emphasis than others, use one tool to highlight them. You can highlight in yellow (pen), purple (highlighter), or white (eraser). It’s super easy!

15. GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer 

PDF files are everywhere. Some people use them to store documents like tax returns, resumes, and recipes.

Others may annotate them with a pen or stylus while they read them on their tablet or phone. Above all, you can use the GoodReader PDF Editor & Viewer app to do both of these things.

This is one of the most popular annotation tools; this app allows you to mark up documents with drawings and text. Not only that, but you can also create and share your hand-drawn documents.

Additionally, the app supports many different file formats, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat files. 

This is one of the best iPad apps for annotating pdfs because it allows you to create annotations and highlights using a pen or stylus.

It also has a high-security level, meaning you can sign your documents electronically. Consequently, no one will be able to tamper with any information without your permission.

16. Apple Markup 

There are a number of different and best iPad apps for annotating PDFs on the go. Apple Markup is a very great option.

Apple Markup is a simple and straightforward app with many great features to make it easy to share or annotate documents with others. 

It’s perfect if you’re just looking for something simple to get the job done. The best part about this “apple markup” is that it doesn’t require wifi to do its magic.

All you have to do is download the pdf file, which can be found by using the Safari browser on an iPad, then open it in Apple Markup. 

From there, you’ll be able to highlight text and write notes wherever you want. Also, you have the option of adding attachments from other apps like email, photos, or even YouTube videos to your document. Thus, they’ll always be available as needed.

PDFs are extremely convenient, but they become less useful when you want to add annotations or make changes.

Fortunately, there are plenty of the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs and editing them quickly and easily as well. Well explained above is how to choose the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs!

Although, it is known that reading and annotating PDFs on your iPad can be frustrating at times. However, we have affirmed that there are apps that make this process much easier.

Our article noted the best iPad apps for annotating PDFs, with features like annotations, highlighting, and more. We are sure it helped!

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Prince Otoide

Prince is a mechanical engineering graduate who love to write about tech and other related article. Basically, he is interested in iOS, macs, Android and window. Trust me, he is always on the search for the latest if not writing.

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iPad User Guide

  • Setup basics
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  • What’s new in iPadOS 17
  • Turn on and set up iPad
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  • Send stickers
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  • Animate messages
  • Change notifications
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  • Apple Music Sing
  • Find new music
  • Add music and listen offline
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  • Search for music
  • Create playlists
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  • Use Siri to play music
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  • Get started with News
  • Use News widgets
  • See news stories chosen just for you
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  • Subscribe to Apple News+
  • Browse and read Apple News+ stories and issues
  • Download Apple News+ issues
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  • Get started with Notes
  • Add or remove accounts
  • Create and format notes
  • Draw or write
  • Add photos, videos, and more
  • Scan text and documents
  • Work with PDFs
  • Create Quick Notes
  • Search notes
  • Organize in folders
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  • Use Smart Folders
  • Export or print notes
  • Change Notes settings
  • Delete, share, or copy a photo
  • View and edit Photo Booth photos in the Photos app
  • View photos and videos
  • Play videos and slideshows
  • Delete or hide photos and videos
  • Edit photos and videos
  • Trim video length and adjust slow motion
  • Edit Live Photos
  • Edit Cinematic videos
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  • Use photo albums
  • Edit, share, and organize albums
  • Filter and sort photos and videos in albums
  • Make stickers from your photos
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  • Merge duplicate photos
  • Search for photos
  • Identify people and pets
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  • Share photos and videos
  • Share long videos
  • View photos and videos shared with you
  • Watch memories
  • Personalize your memories
  • Manage memories and featured photos
  • Use iCloud Photos
  • Create shared albums
  • Add and remove people in a shared album
  • Add and delete photos and videos in a shared album
  • Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
  • Add content to an iCloud Shared Photo Library
  • Use iCloud Shared Photo Library
  • Import and export photos and videos
  • Print photos
  • Find podcasts
  • Listen to podcasts
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Annotate books in the Books app on iPad

annotate articles ipad app

Highlight or underline text

Touch and hold a word, then move the grab points to adjust the selection.

Tap Highlight.

To change the highlight color or switch to underline, tap the text, tap Highlight, then tap an option.

To remove a highlight or underline, tap the text, then tap Remove Highlight.

the Menu button

Tap Add Note, enter text, then tap Done.

To remove a note, tap the text, then tap Delete Note.

Share highlights and notes

annotate articles ipad app

Choose a sharing method such as AirDrop, Messages, or Mail.

After you share, tap Done to close Bookmarks & Highlights.

Delete bookmarks, highlights, and notes

annotate articles ipad app

Tap Done to close Bookmarks & Highlights.

Benedictine University Library

Apps for Academics: Reading and Annotating

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Annotate PDFs

  • GoodReader Robust PDF reader with advanced annotating capabilities, excellent file manager, text file reader and editor, audio/video player, Safari-like viewer for MS Office and iWorks files. Syncs with Google Docs, Dropbox and more.
  • iAnnotate Annotate, manage, search, and share PDF documents.
  • Mendeley Mendeley is a free reference manager and academic social network. Make your own fully-searchable library in seconds, cite as you write, and read and annotate your PDFs on any device.

Follow Multiple Blogs in One Place

  • Feedly The content of your RSS feeds, news sites and blogs are transformed into pocket-sized cards which load very fast and are easy to browse.
  • Flipboard View news, blogs, and social network content in a magazine-layout that emphasizes linked content, videos, and photos.

Read eBooks

  • BlueFire Reader Your go-to reading application for ePUB and PDF content, including BenU Library subscription eBooks from ebrary.
  • iBooks iBooks is an amazing way to download and read books. iBooks includes the iBooks Store, where you can download the latest bestselling books or your favorite classics
  • Kindle Read your Amazon Kindle books even if you don't have a Kindle. Automatically syncs your last page read between devices. Delete a book when you're done and Amazon keeps your copy online for later retrieval. Adjust text size, add bookmarks, and more.
  • Overdrive and Libby ebooks Use your public library's Libby app through Overdrive to download free ebooks to your device.

Read Saved Webpages Offline

  • Pocket Save articles, videos, recipes, and webpages you find online or from apps, like Flipboard and Feedly.
  • Instapaper Save, read, and manage the things you find online. Instapaper syncs the articles and videos you save so that they’re waiting for you on all your devices. You can read anything you save, even offline. Highlight and comment on text in any article so you can store it, retrieve it, quote it and share it.
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  • Last Updated: Jul 6, 2023 4:49 PM
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The best apps to read and annotate PDF books on iPad

PDF Read Annotate iPad Apps

One of the best things about electronic books and textbooks is that you can mark them up. Rather than a physical book that you rent or buy and want to sell later, with books on your iPad, you can make notes and highlight important points. Plus, you can read wherever you go with your device.

Here are the best apps to read and annotate PDF books on iPad.

Criteria and features

Here are just a couple of things we looked for when creating this list of apps to read and annotate PDFs on iPad.

  • Multiple markup options : Everyone has a different way of marking up their books and documents. Some like highlighting while others like drawing. Apps that give you a variety of annotation options give you flexibility.
  • Intuitive interface : The last thing you need to do is spend time trying to figure out just how to mark your books and PDFs. Apps that have an easy-to-use interface let you get right to work without a complicated way to do it.
  • Different reading modes : Since these apps are for reading as well as annotating, various reading modes and options give you a better experience.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader on iPad

Adobe Acrobat Reader gives you a variety of annotation tools and reading options. Open documents and books from your iPad, Document Cloud, or Dropbox.

Adobe Acrobat Reader notable features:

  • Use annotation tools like highlight, underline, strikethrough, and drawing.
  • Add comments to any place in the book or document.
  • Read with modes including continuous, single page, or reading mode plus a night mode.
  • Save, print, and share your marked-up items easily.

If you want an app that gives you flexible features for both annotating and reading books and other PDF documents on your iPad, then check out Adobe Acrobat Reader.

  • Availability : iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web
  • Cost : Free with in-app purchases for plans that let you export, combine, and do more with PDFs.

PDF Viewer Pro on iPad

PDF Viewer is another easy-to-use reading and annotation tool that offers an array of features for both. Browse for books and documents from your device, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive to get started.

PDF Viewer notable features:

  • Use annotation tools like highlight, underline, and strikethrough.
  • Include comments, insert text, or add an image in any spot in the book or document.
  • Add bookmarks and skip to sections for bookmarked and annotated pages or use the search.
  • For reading, select your page mode, transition, and fitting along with theme, appearance, and brightness.

PDF Viewer is a really nice reader and annotator with the types of features you’d want in an app like this. And, you can share all pages, some pages, annotations, and a summary.

  • Availability : iPhone, iPad, iMessage, and Android
  • Cost : Free with in-app purchases for subscription plans that let you combine documents, use password-protection, and annotate images.

Foxit PDF Reader Mobile

Foxit Mobile PDF on iPad

Foxit PDF Reader Mobile also offers a nice set of features for reading and annotating PDFs. The interface is clean and simple, and you can pull in books and PDFs from iCloud Drive and with a subscription, SharePoint.

Foxit PDF Reader Mobile notable features:

  • Include comments as notes, text, or callouts anywhere in the book or document.
  • Add bookmarks and jump to sections with the thumbnail view.
  • Select from reading modes like single, continuous, or facing, choose from different color themes, and use night mode.

With Foxit PDF Reader Mobile, you can easily save, share, or print your annotated documents. And, the various reading modes give you flexibility.

  • Availability : iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, and the web
  • Cost : Free with an in-app subscription option for additional features like document protection, PDF creation, and verified digital signatures.

PDF Reader & Annotator by Xodo

Xodo PDF Pro on iPad

One more reader and annotation tool to look at is PDF Reader & Annotator by Xodo. Open a local document or head to the location containing one and select Copy to Xodo to open it with the app.

Xodo notable features:

  • Add comments or text to any location in the book or document.
  • Use drawing tools like shapes, connectors, and arrows.
  • Choose from page modes including continuous, single page, facing, and cover facing. You can also rotate pages and use night mode.

PDF Reader & Annotator by Xodo lets you email or print your documents, use bookmarks and outlines, has a text search, and is available on multiple platforms.

  • Availability : iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Chrome extensions, and the web
  • Cost : Free

Wrapping it up

Reading and marking up your PDF reference books or textbooks on iPad is easy with any of these free apps. Let us know if you decide to give one a try or if you have a better one you’d like to recommend that doesn’t cost a fortune.

For doing with more with PDFs on iPhone and iPad, check out our tutorials on signing PDF documents , saving emails as PDFs , and saving photos as PDFs too.

annotate articles ipad app

Reading and annotating articles on the IPad

  • jhimmelreich April 11, 2019 Hi you can use https://www.zotero.org/download/bookmarklet to collect articles from browser on IPad and try http://zotfile.com for the other points. it's not as frictionless as it should be but I think it can be made to work J
  • jhimmelreich April 11, 2019 PS: https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/327070/#Comment_327070
  • adamsmith April 11, 2019 So three questions. The current answer is that you can't have all three at once. 1. collect articles from browser on IPad See https://www.zotero.org/download/bookmarklet 2. have all attachments I have collected previously (pdfs of the articles and papers) available to read on the IPad (sync with Mac, using google drive or another cloud provider) That's only possible either via the mobile page of papership (which I wouldn't recommend, since they're no longer maintaining/supporting the app) 3. pick an article, annotate it on IPad, and overwrite the original file with annotated file (I know zotero supports only papership for IPad, which does not support apple pencil annotations, correct me if I am wrong). You can look at ZotFile and the "send to tablet" feature for that, in combination with Dropbox or a different sync service. Note that this means you have to previously decide what to read, though. And yes, Zotero is developing its own iOS app, but I don't have any ETA on this. Typically these things take a while.
  • erazlogo April 12, 2019 edited April 12, 2019 - have all attachments I have collected previously (pdfs of the articles and papers) available to read on the IPad (sync with Mac, using google drive or another cloud provider) - pick an article, annotate it on IPad, and overwrite the original file with annotated file (I know zotero supports only papership for IPad, which does not support apple pencil annotations, correct me if I am wrong). This is possible with Zotfile http://zotfile.com/ Download and install Zotfile on your Mac In ZotFile preferences, under "Location of Files" choose "Custom Location" Select a folder that syncs to your Dropbox or iCloud In Zotero preferences, under Advanced - Files and Folders - Base Directory, choose the same folder Create a Saved Search for Attachment Type - is - PDF Go to that Saved Search and Select All Note: If you have too many pdfs you may not see a menu on control-click below--then instead of "Select All" choose a section of pdfs and continue, then repeat with the next set of pdfs Control-click on one of the selected PDFs Select Manage Attachments - Rename Attachments This should move all PDFs into your custom folder and sync them with your cloud Note: Zotfile changes the name of the PDF according to author/title/date of the source. You can customize this in preferences On your iPad, add your custom Zotero folder to your mobile PDF reader You can then work with PDFs on your iPad and your cloud service will sync the changes. ZotFile automatically renames and moves most of the PDFs downloaded via Zotero connectors. But some pdfs you add after the initial transfer you will have to rename/transfer using the Rename Attachment menu.
  • qtas April 12, 2019 It's possible to have all PDF attachments synced to a cloud provider without using ZotFile. I just moved my storage folder in the Zotero data directory to iCloud drive and created a symlink back (see https://www.zotero.org/support/sync#alternative_syncing_solutions ). In this way all PDF attachments are synced via iCloud drive. The PDFs are organized in folders that are named in a way not very understandable but on the iPad you can use Spotlight or Files app to search for author or title to directly open the PDF, assuming you already have the PDFs renamed by Zotero automatically. To edit and save back just use the share sheet to open the file in an app that supports open-in-place (both Acrobat and PDF Expert will work).

Upload image file with the file dialog or by dragging and dropping images onto the dashed region

Annotable: Annotation & Markup 4+

Image annotation & markup.

  • 4.7 • 802 Ratings
  • Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Annotable is the most full-featured all-in-one image annotation tool. Featured by Apple in many places: ● Best of 2016 ● New Apps We Love ● Best Apps to Edit Your Photos ● Best Productivity Apps ● Best Utilities "I’ve finally found the best all-in-one image annotation tool for iOS – Annotable for iPhone and iPad." —— Federico Viticci of MacStories Features (many are free, some are unlocked with purchases): ◉ All the expected common tools: rectangles, ovals, arrows, lines and texts. ◉ Fully customizable: colors, sizes, outlines, fonts… ◉ Stylishly obscure private information with Blur and Pixelation. ◉ Or on the contrary, highlight something with Spotlights. ◉ If you really want to focus on a particular spot use a Loupe. ◉ You can even highlight text on screenshots of apps like Notes, Twitter, and Safari. It feels like magic, and can really save the day when you want to share a web page screenshot with some words highlighted but forgot to select the words when you took the screenshot. ◉ Fully support Action Extension, Photo Editing Extension, Edits Sync via iCloud Photo Library, URL Schemes, 3D Touch, Wide Color…Annotable utilizes your powerful iOS system to the extreme. Distinctions from many other similar Apps: ◆ All the results are high-resolution images. ◆ Not only screenshots but all images are supported. ◆ Large images can be directly annotated and do not have to be cropped.

Version 2.10

- Support new iPhones and iPads - Support latest iOS - Improved UI on iPad - Support keyboard shortcuts - Update some icons inside app

Ratings and Reviews

802 Ratings

Use in my biz constantly & make posters, greeting cards

I use this app (since I’m a frustrated commercial photo 2 year grad) to take nature photos and place Bible scripture on for eventual book(s) or sale as posters at craft shows “when I’m old” but especially to mark photos in my property maintenance work to add arrows, explanations to photos of damage, or in proposals to identify photos of my plans by number or letter for easier review by the customer. Choice of typestyles & ability to custom mix more muted colors than the default pallet is cool, takes a bit for an old fart to discover - ideas: an actual “arrow” graphic which could be turned 365° once added easier than using < and > and ^ symbols as I often do now; also: how about an automatic color sampling ability from a key location in a photo for type color to be immediately used without having to color mix with graphic display which some folks who are colorblind (not me!) or musical rather than visual, could use to custom-tailor their type colors?

Why didn’t I start using this long ago?

I downloaded this a long time ago, but never got around to really trying it out - and now I see the error of my ways - Annotable is *awesome*! It combines the best features of Apple’s Markup tool and Skitch (especially the outlined text, which can hugely improve readability on varied backgrounds), and gives you lots of additional tools (the one that recognizes text in images and nearly highlights it is kind of magical), and lots of knobs to tweak to fine tune edits. This is the only image annotation tool I’ll ever need. I’d like the ability to nudge items around a pixel at a time (with tony arrow keys), but the app already puts up a magnifier if you long press an item before moving it, which is almost as good.

Easy to use & powerful. Pay what you need! My go to for years!

This app has been my go to for annotating photos since the built-in iOS feature debuted years ago! It’s intuitive, easy easy to use and has powerful features. just as important it has a very flexible business model which allows you to pay for just the features you use! Until today, the app hadn’t been updated in two years. I started looking at the competition as I expecting it to break with the latest OS. None of the other apps compared in terms of features or price. In a world that has all gone subscription based this is a real gem. Try it now, you won’t be sorry!

App Privacy

The developer, 凌 王 , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

annotate articles ipad app

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., you might also like.

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Astropad Slate is a new app that turns your iPad into a giant Mac trackpad

Amber Neely's Avatar

Now you can use your iPad like a graphics tablet for your Mac | Image Credit: Astropad

annotate articles ipad app

Astropad says the idea for Slate came when Apple announced the Apple Pencil Hover feature. The company decided to try to emulate traditional no-screen pen tablets, like Wacom's Intuos and One lines.

For those who want to use their iPad like a giant trackpad, Slate allows you to use relative positioning. This means that your cursor moves around freely on your Mac display. Gesture support also exists, allowing you to pinch, zoom, and scroll, just like a trackpad.

However, you can switch on absolute positioning if you want something that feels more akin to a graphics tablet. This means that your iPad scales to map your entire Mac display, so wherever you touch your iPad is where your cursor moves on the screen.

It also supports Apple's new Apple Pencil Hover feature, which allows users to move their Apple Pencil over the surface of the iPad and then tap to click. For iPads and Apple Pencils that don't support Hover, it can simulate it. Users can lightly drag the Apple Pencil over the iPad and then tap to click.

An included handwriting feature allows users to write in Slate's handwriting input box and have the text appear on their Mac.

The app costs $19.99 and requires an iPad running iPadOS 15.0 or later and a Mac running macOS 11.0 or later.

Currently, Slate is available for Mac only. To learn more, head to Astropad's Slate page.

For those who are interested in using Slate to function like a graphics tablet, we suggest checking out Astropad's Rock Paper Pencil. It brings a realistic pen-on-paper feel to the iPad by combining a magnetic screen protector with a custom Apple Pencil Tip.

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Digital work apps arrive for Apple’s Vision Pro

Though ar/vr devices have yet to catch on for general work tasks, several major office software vendors have already launched apps for apple’s new vision pro headset. can apple succeed where others have struggled.

Matthew Finnegan

Senior Reporter, Computerworld |

Jigspace 3D object

Among the hundreds of native apps already available for Apple’s new Vision Pro headset, there’s already a range of tools focused on getting work done .

Microsoft, Cisco, and Zoom are among the software vendors that have already optimized their enterprise apps to function on Apple’s spatial computing device. They  make use of the Vision Pro’s immersive virtual environments (to varying degrees) and large viewing space, promising new ways to view and interact with content or communicate with colleagues.

“Many early adopters will look to personal productivity as a key justification for buying an Apple Vision Pro, and there are some key native productivity apps available at launch — plus thousands more iPad apps that can run in the headset,” said Avi Greengart, founder and lead analyst at Techsponential.  

Apple leaned on the Vision Pro’s consumer benefits in the run up to the Feb. 2 launch, but it clearly sees potential for work , too. (The recent addition of mobile device management (MDM) features for the device is perhaps inevitable, and serves as another indication of how Apple is catering to a business audience.)

In one sense, the Vision Pro is no different to any other computing platform in Apple’s portfolio. “Some people use Macs for Facebook, others design engine parts on them,” said Greengart. “Over time, I expect a full complement of productivity applications, tools, and services for VisionOS.”

Early enterprise uses for AR and VR have mostly centered around employee training and remote assistance — tasks that involve wearing the headset for short periods rather than a full day as a laptop replacement. While the Vision Pro has drawbacks similar to  other headsets (battery life and weight, for instance), some new users are already pointing to its effectiveness as a work tool. They credit Apple with largely succeeding with the device’s eye and hand control interface, while the ability to access multiple apps and a large virtual monitor has advantages for productivity.

“Using the Apple Vision Pro with native apps arrayed around you and an Apple Silicon MacBook virtual display in the center feels like a productivity superpower,” said Greengart.

At the same time, it’s clearly a first-generation device, with a software ecosystem that is just now emerging. Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, said the native apps aimed at productivity are “pretty effective,” but also feel like “pared down” versions of their PC counterparts, or “upgraded versions of the mobile apps enhanced with spatial awareness.”

Here are six of the notable digital work apps already available for the Vision Pro.

Webex meetings can now be accessed using Apple's Vision Pro.

Cisco Webex and Zoom

Cisco promises an “immersive and intuitive meeting experience” with its native Webex app for visionOS . Users can access core Webex features, with the ability to join a meeting, arrange participant video feeds across their own screen, and create shared content windows. The app is optimized for the Vision Pro, with support for pinch and drag gestures that rely on the device’s hand- and eye-tracking technology.

During a meeting, Vision Pro users are represented by their digital Persona, which replicates face and hand movements.

Zoom plans to add the ability to share and interact with 3D objects using the Vision Pro later this year.

Zoom provides a similar meeting experience with  its native Vision Pro app , with Personas and access to Zoom’s Team Chat app. It also promises to let users share and interact with 3D objects using the Vision Pro in an update later this year.

Microsoft Office apps

Several Microsoft Office apps have been optimized for the Vision Pro, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams.

The PowerPoint app marries well with the Vision Pro’s virtual environments, where users can practice their presentation just as they would present to an audience. Access to Excel spreadsheets is less immediately obvious, but one advantage cited by Microsoft is the ability to move graphs and charts between documents or Teams chats more efficiently.

In Teams, users can send chat messages, open calendars and access other Teams apps such as the Viva Engage social network, or join a Teams video meeting. Once in a meeting, a user can join with the Vision Pro persona. (Microsoft plans to add support for its own Mesh 3D environments later this year.)

Teams users can join meetings using their Persona via the Vision Pro.

Microsoft is expected to release more native visionOS apps this year, but, for now, at the top of the wish list for many is Intune compatibility. Microsoft 365 users have complained that they are unable to access corporate apps using the Vision Pro without support for the enterprise device management platform.

With its app for Vision Pro, Box promises to make content sharing more immersive, particularly when accessing 3D files that can be viewed and manipulated in virtual or mixed-reality environments.

Box offers up several use cases: manufacturers viewing product renderings on a virtual shop floor; construction firms accessing blueprints alongside project stakeholders; or retailers testing display window designs. 

Box allows Vision Pro users to view product renderings on a virtual shop floor, among other features,

Additionally, the Vision Pro’s “infinite desktop” —  in other words, the ability to view several screens and apps at the same time — means 3D content can be displayed alongside other sources of information.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe’s Lightroom video editing app is one of four native apps available for the Vision Pro; the Fresco sketch app, Behance social network, and generative AI tool Firefly have also gotten the spatial computing treatment.

The Lightroom app for visionOS functions much like the regular version of the app, with the ability to manipulate images on a large virtual screen using the Vision Pro inputs, as well as Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

JigSpace, an interactive 3D presentation app, showcases the collaboration benefits of the Vision Pro. JigSpace  lets coworkers view, annotate and manipulate 3D content such as engine designs in mixed reality, placing virtual objects in physical environments.

JigSpace lets users view, annotate and manipulate virtual content in mixed reality environments.

Early success, but room for improvement

In their initial days of using the Vision Pro, Greengart and Sag both pointed to certain pros and cons affecting work-related tasks.

There are limitations around collaboration, for example, with the Persona digital avatars not hitting the mark currently.

“Attending a video call with a Persona can be off-putting; this will improve, but for now this is more a way to avoid taking the headset off and less a reason to put it on in the first place,” said Greengart.

“It is weird using your Persona on a call,” said Sag, as the digital avatar “doesn’t look as good as it should.” The first visionOS software update (v1.1) offers some improvement however, he said.

The combination of the Magic Keyboard and touchpad for productivity works well, said Sag, aside from some connectivity issues on starting the headset. “The setup was easy but there were a lot of times when I tried to use the keyboard and it just didn’t work; the same goes for the touchpad,” he said.

Adapting to Vision Pro’s eye-tracking input is challenging in certain circumstances too. “[T]rying to move around the cursor with your eyes in a large Word document does take some getting used to,” he said.

But while it can be more difficult to navigate iPad apps using the Vision Pro’s “stare-and-pinch” inputs, said Greengart, native apps naturally make for a better user experience.

Given how new the Vision Pro and the visionOS ecosystem are, it will take time for vendors to update existing digital work tools for the device and optimize their software  to take better advantage of the Vision Pro’s immersive capabilities.

The indications are positive, said Sag. “I’ve spoken to a few developers in the enterprise space that seem keen on supporting Vision Pro, even if the install base might not be there yet,” he said.

  • Augmented Reality
  • Virtual Reality
  • Productivity Software
  • Collaboration Software
  • Small and Medium Business

Matthew Finnegan covers Microsoft, collaboration and productivity software, AR/VR, and other enterprise IT topics. He joined IDG in January 2013 and is based in Sweden.

Copyright © 2024 IDG Communications, Inc.

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Astropad's New 'Slate' App Lets You Control Your Mac With Your iPad and Apple Pencil

After several months of beta testing , Astropad is today officially launching its Astropad Slate app for the iPad . Slate turns an ‌iPad‌ into a large trackpad for a Mac, complete with Apple Pencil control.

astropad slate

When you write on the ‌iPad‌, it is translated into typed text on the Mac, and there are two-finger gestures for actions like scrolling and zoom. If you have a newer ‌iPad‌ that supports ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover, you can use the hover gestures. For older iPads, Astropad added a simulated hover option.

In Mac apps that support drawing, sketching, and other creative work, you can use the ‌iPad‌ as a drawing tablet. It essentially serves as a no-screen interface for drawing, with the focus on the Mac.

The Astropad Slate app is priced at $19.99 and can be purchased from the App Store . [ Direct Link ]

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Top Rated Comments

tweaknmod Avatar

So … a Wacom tablet?

turbineseaplane Avatar

Why not just a touchscreen Mac? Odd solution to, well I'm not sure.

Harry Haller Avatar

Pretty much, but great if you have an iPad but not a Wacom.

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Instagram is getting its own App Clip, but still no iPad app

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The Instagram team is known for being a bit late to the party when it comes to adopting new iOS features. And while there are a number of users incessantly asking for an iPad app , Instagram has decided to give its iOS users something else: an App Clip.

Instagram for iOS will soon have an App Clip

Version 319.0.2 of the Instagram app available to beta testers via TestFlight introduces an App Clip. For those unfamiliar, Apple describes an App Clip as a “small part of an app that lets you do a task quickly, like rent a bike, pay for parking, or order food.” In other words, it’s like a mini app that you can try out without having to download the full app.

When it comes to the Instagram App Clip, it lets users experience the Reels short video platform that’s built into the main Instagram app. Similar to TikTok’s App Clip, the Instagram version will let users watch a Reel in the app’s native interface even when they don’t have Instagram installed.

For example, if someone sends you an iMessage with a link to an Instagram Reel, it will open in the App Clip instead of your default web browser. Users can keep scrolling to watch some other popular Reels and even tap to share a specific Reel with others. After watching around six Reels, the App Clip prompts the user to download Instagram to continue watching Reels.

The feature is certainly a nice addition to the iOS Instagram app. Last year, Instagram implemented support for Live Activities , so that users can see the upload progress of a new post or story when they switch to another app. However, it’s sad to see that developing an iPad app isn’t a priority for the Instagram team (and this applies to Threads too).

instagram app ipad

There’s no word on when the update with the App Clip will be released to the public. You can download Instagram for free on the App Store .

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Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops — including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.

Apple confirms it’s breaking iPhone web apps in the EU on purpose

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Well, it turns out it’s not a bug that broke iPhone web apps, also known as progressive web apps (PWAs), in the EU. Following developer complaints and press reports about how PWAs were no longer functional in the EU after installing the most recent iOS betas, Apple has updated its website to explain why. No surprise, the tech giant is blaming the new EU regulation, the Digital Markets Act, for the change, saying that the complexities involved with the DMA’s requirement to allow different browser engines is the root cause.

To catch you up, security researcher Tommy Mysk and Open Web Advocacy  first noticed that PWAs had been demoted to website shortcuts with the release of the second beta of iOS 17.4. Initially, it was unclear if this was a beta bug — stranger things have happened — or if it was intended to undermine the functionality of PWAs in the EU, a market where Apple is now being forced to allow alternative app stores, third-party payments, and alternative browser engines, among other things. In the betas, PWAs, which typically allow web apps to function and feel more like native iOS apps, were no longer working. Developers noticed that these web apps would open like a bookmark saved to your Home Screen instead.

As MacRumors pointed out at the time, that meant no “dedicated windowing, notifications, or long-term local storage”; iOS16.4 also allowed PWAs to badge their icons with notifications, as native apps could. Beta users of iOS 17.4 reported that when they opened a web app while running the iOS beta, the system would ask them if they wanted to open the app in Safari or cancel. The message indicates that the web app will “open in your default browser from now on,” it said. Afterward, users said they experienced issues with data loss, as a Safari website shortcut doesn’t offer local storage. Notifications also no longer worked.

Still, there was reason to be cautious about whether or not the change was intentional. Multiple staff at TechCrunch repeatedly asked Apple for comment but received no reply. (We had wanted to know if the company would confirm if this was a beta bug or an intentional change, and if the latter, what Apple’s reasoning for it was.) After the next beta release emerged, The Verge  ran a report indicating that Apple “ appears to be “ breaking PWAs in the EU, after also not likely getting a formal response from the tech giant.

Now Apple has responded, in its way. Today, it updated its website detailing its DMA-related changes in the EU to address the matter. In a new update, the company explains how it’s had to make so many changes to the iOS to comply with the EU guidelines that continued support for PWAs was simply off the table.

Traditionally, the iOS system provided support for Home Screen web apps by building directly on WebKit (Safari’s browser engine) and its security architecture, Apple said. That allowed web apps to align with the same security and privacy models as found in other native apps. But with the DMA, Apple is being forced to allow alternative browser engines. It argues that without the isolation and enforcement of the rules applied to WebKit-based web apps, malicious apps could be installed that could do things like read data from other web apps or “gain access to a user’s camera, microphone or location without a user’s consent,” Apple said.

“Addressing the complex security and privacy concerns associated with web apps using alternative browser engines would require building an entirely new integration architecture that does not currently exist in iOS and was not practical to undertake given the other demands of the DMA and the very low user adoption of Home Screen web apps. And so, to comply with the DMA’s requirements, we had to remove the Home Screen web apps feature in the EU,” the website reads.

The company informs EU users they will be able to access websites from their Home Screen through bookmarks as a result of the change, confirming developers’ concerns that PWAs were effectively being disabled in the EU.

“We expect this change to affect a small number of users. Still, we regret any impact this change — that was made as part of the work to comply with the DMA — may have on developers of Home Screen web apps and our users,” Apple says.

Critics have argued that Apple’s desire to hold on to its power in the iOS app ecosystem was so strong that it would break web app functionality for users of its devices. Apple’s defenders, meanwhile, will probably argue that the company’s explanation is reasonable and aligns with Apple’s desire to keep iOS safe for its users. The truth, as it often does, likely lies more in the middle.

Apple still has not responded to requests for comment.

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