When you work with PDF files, there might come a time when you see some signatures on them. These signatures are like stamps that show someone's approval or verification of the document. You can put your signature on a PDF but accidentally put it in the wrong spot. In this case, you might have to edit that PDF and remove the signature from PDF on Mac.
Removing signatures from PDFs may seem easy, but it's a bit tricky. With the right tools, it can be easier to figure out how to remove a signature from a PDF for free. But no need to worry anymore; if you have a Mac, we have you covered. In this article, we'll explain how you can delete signatures from PDFs via two methods.
Way 1: How to Remove a Signature from PDF on Mac with UPDF
- Download and launch UPDF with the below button. Then open the PDF file with the signature to remove.
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure
- Once opened, click the "Tools" option to enter "Comment" mode. You can delete signatures in the "Comment" mode.

- Click on the signature need to remove it and hit the "Delete" icon. Alternatively, right-click on the signature and select the Delete option. (You can also use the shortcut method: Select the signature and hit the Del key!)

That's it! You have answered the query on how to clear the signature from PDF.
Way 2: How to Delete a Signature from PDF by Adding a Rectangle?
Is the way to unsign a PDF not working for you? No worries, you can still remove signatures by adding a rectangle covering the signature. Here is how UPDF will help you do that:
Step 1. Cover the Signature
- Launch UPDF and open your desired PDF.
- Hit the "Comment" icon on the "Tools".
- Navigate to the "Rectangle" icon on the top toolbar and click on it.
- A small menu will pop up, you can use the "Color Pick" function to set the "Fill Color" and the "Border Color" the same as your document background. Remember to change the "Opacity" to 100% if want to fully cover the signature.

- Now drag to cover the signature using the shape. If you want to draw a proportional shape, you can hold the "Shift" key while drawing it.

Step 2. Flatten the Signature
Now, flatten the area to cover the signature permanently and no one can edit again. To do so, click the downward arrow next to the "Save" icon on the top-right menu bar and select "Save as Flatten". By flattening the PDF, the section becomes the background, and you can't edit the rectangle at all.

In the following dialogue box, tick mark "Comments" and hit "Save As". Lastly, select a destination for your PDF file and hit "Save".

After you are done removing signatures, you can use the tool's built-in share feature to send PDF documents as mail, link, or a barcode. Furthermore, for added creativity for your PDFs, one can even add stickers and stamps. Do you need to add some text? You can do that very effortlessly and edit not only the text but images too. Download UPDF here to start now. If you want to unlock all limitations, you can upgrade to the Pro version at a very low price by clicking here.
Dive into enhanced document management. Download UPDF today! Moreover, there is an objective review of UPDF available on the Cult of Mac site, allowing you to gain insight into UPDF.
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure
Way 3: How to Remove a Digital Signature from PDF on Mac with Adobe
A digital signature is like a secret code that keeps important information safe in a PDF document. But sometimes, on Mac devices, it takes work to remove this digital signature directly. One cannot delete a signature from PDF using Preview on Mac. Once you add a digital signature and save the PDF, you can't change or remove it anymore. But don't worry; there's a solution in Adobe Acrobat.
Adobe Acrobat is also a good tool for managing digital documents. It lets you organize your files and makes it easier to handle paperwork without actual paper. This tool works smoothly on Mac devices. It helps to remove the digital signature from a PDF, even if you added the signature by mistake. If you ever need to remove a digital signature using Adobe Acrobat, here is how to do it:
- Step 1: Launch Adobe Acrobat on your Mac. In case you do not have it installed, you can download it by exploring the official Adobe website using a web browser. When Adobe Acrobat opens, head to the top menu and hit the "File" tab. Next, a drop-down list will appear; choose "Open" to select the PDF file with digital signatures. You can browse the PDF through your folders and select the required one.
- Step 2: The selected PDF will open in the tool. Now, you must find the page where the digital signature is added. You can locate it by scrolling through the document. Once you have found it, place your cursor on the signature area. Press and hold the "Control" key on your keyboard using Mac, then tap on the field that contains the digital signature. This will make the "Context Menu" appear.
- Step 3: From there, look for and select the option named "Clear Signature." When you click this option, Adobe Acrobat will remove the digital signature from the selected field. After removing it, remember to save the changes applied to the PDF.

FAQs on Removing a Signature from PDF on Mac
1. Can I remove signatures from PDF on Mac with the Preview app?
No, you cannot delete signatures from PDF on Preview. The Preview app on Mac does not have a built-in feature to directly remove signatures from PDF documents. However, there are alternative methods and tools you can use to achieve this. One option is a Mac PDF editor like UPDF that offers easy signature removal through simple steps.
UPDF is a third-party PDF editing tool that provides more advanced features than the basic Preview app. With UPDF, you can easily locate and remove signatures from PDF files without much hassle. You can also use OCR to convert the scanned content into editable text and remove the signature from the document. Moreover, to remove the digital signatures, users can use Adobe Acrobat and make their work easier.
2. How to extract a signature from a PDF on Mac?
To extract a signature from a PDF on a Mac, you can use the built-in Preview app if the signature is inserted as an image. Simply open the PDF in Preview, enable the markup toolbar, and use the rectangular selection tool to highlight the signature area. Press Command + C to copy it, then go to “File” > “New from Clipboard” to create a new image containing just the signature. You can then export it as a PNG or another image format.
If the signature cannot be selected—likely because it's flattened into the page—you can take a screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 4 and dragging to capture the signature area. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop, and you can crop and save it using Preview.
Alternatively, if you’re using UPDF, open the PDF, go to the “Edit” PDF tool, click on the signature image (if selectable), copy it, and paste it elsewhere. However, if the signature is embedded as a digital certificate, it cannot be extracted as an image and is only used for verification purposes.
Conclusion
Summarizing this, removing a signature from a PDF is super easy when you have the right tools. Even if you are a Mac user, top-notch software options are available to help you remove signatures from PDFs on Mac. These include UPDF and Adobe Acrobat to remove electronic and digital signatures from PDFs. However, UPDF is a great choice among the tools we have discussed in this guide.
It can help you remove signatures effortlessly. You can also use its advanced features to simplify your PDF management. Follow the steps in this guide, and you will learn to use UPDF in no time. Also, keep a check on UPDF AI features that have just recently been added to this tool. You can now summarize, explain, and translate the PDF parts easily. Download this software from the following button and enjoy all these features.
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure