Collecting signatures from clients shouldn’t be a hassle. If you’re tired of chasing paperwork or wrangling clunky desktop tools, this guide is for you. We’ll walk through using the Signrequest mobile app to get documents signed—quickly, clearly, and with as little friction as possible. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or just someone who wants to avoid printers and scanners, you’ll find what actually works (and what to skip).
Let’s get started.
1. What is Signrequest and Why Use the Mobile App?
First things first: Signrequest is a digital signature platform that lets you send documents to others for electronic signing. The mobile app is basically a trimmed-down version of their web tool—handy if you’re on the move, but it’s not magic. It’s best for straightforward signature requests, not complex contracts with a million fields.
Who’s this for?
- People who need signatures from clients, fast
- Anyone who can’t always be at their desk
- Folks who want to ditch paper and complicated tools
What you’ll need: - A Signrequest account (free tier is fine for basic stuff) - The Signrequest mobile app (iOS or Android) - Your document, ready to go (PDF, Word, or common formats)
Heads up: The app is not the most beautifully designed thing out there, but it gets the job done. Don’t expect miracles with big, multi-signer workflows or fancy form fields.
2. Step 1: Download and Set Up the Signrequest Mobile App
Download the App
- iOS: Find “Signrequest” in the App Store.
- Android: Find it on Google Play.
(Skip anything that looks like a knockoff—there are a few.)
Install it and open the app. You’ll be prompted to log in or sign up.
Log In or Create an Account
- If you already use Signrequest on desktop, just log in with those credentials.
- New user? Sign up with your email and set a password. You’ll need to verify your address.
Pro tip: If you use Google or Microsoft sign-in, stick to the same method everywhere. Switching between login methods can cause annoying account confusion.
App Permissions
The app may ask for permission to access your files or camera. Grant file access so you can upload documents. Camera access is only needed if you want to snap a picture of a physical document (not recommended—scanned PDFs are neater).
3. Step 2: Prepare Your Document
Choose Your Document
The app works best with PDFs and Word documents. Spreadsheets, images, and other oddball formats are iffy and can mess up formatting.
- From your phone: Browse your files and pick the document.
- From cloud storage: The app supports Google Drive, Dropbox, and similar. You might need to link your account.
What to avoid:
Uploading photos of documents. They look messy to clients, and signatures might not align right.
Review Before Sending
Open the document in the app and flip through to check formatting. Mobile screens are small, so zoom in and out (yes, it’s annoying, but worth it). Fix any weirdness before you send.
4. Step 3: Add Signers and Set Signing Order
Add Client Email(s)
Tap to “Add signer” and type in your client’s email address. If you need to sign it yourself, add your own email too.
- You can add multiple signers, but keep it simple—two or three tops. The mobile app isn’t built for big group signings.
Set the Signing Order (Optional)
If one person needs to sign before the other, set the order (1, 2, 3, etc.). If not, leave it as default and everyone will get the request at the same time.
Don’t overthink this: Most people just need one client to sign. Extra options can slow things down.
5. Step 4: Place Signature Fields
This is where mobile apps get fiddly. You’ll need to drag and drop signature fields onto the document.
How to Place a Signature Field
- Tap the page where the signature should go.
- Drag the “Signature” field to the right spot.
- You can also add a date, initials, or text field—but don’t clutter the doc.
What works:
One signature box per person, on the actual signature line.
What doesn’t:
Trying to add lots of custom fields or checkboxes. The app can get buggy or misalign them.
Pro tip:
If the signature spot is small or hard to tap, pinch to zoom in first—otherwise the field might end up in the wrong place.
6. Step 5: Customize the Message (Optional, but Recommended)
The default email message from Signrequest is cold and generic. You’ll get better results if you edit it.
- Add a quick note: “Hi [Client], please sign and let me know if there are any questions. Thanks!”
- Avoid legalese or long instructions. People skim emails on their phones.
What to skip:
Big attachments or links. Keep it simple—just the document and your note.
7. Step 6: Send the Request
Review the details one last time: - Correct document - Right signers, in the right order - Fields in the right place
Hit “Send.” That’s it—your client will get an email with a link to sign. They don’t need a Signrequest account, just a browser.
How it works for your client: - They click the link, sign with their finger or mouse, and hit “Finish.” - You’ll get an email notification when it’s done.
What can go wrong: - Email lands in spam (rare, but check if your client doesn’t respond). - Signature field placed poorly—means you’ll have to resend.
8. Step 7: Track, Remind, and Download the Signed Document
Tracking
- The app shows the status: “Sent,” “Viewed,” “Signed.”
- You’ll get a notification when your client signs.
Sending Reminders
- If a client drags their feet, tap “Remind” in the app. It sends a polite nudge.
- Don’t spam—one reminder is usually enough.
Downloading and Sharing
Once signed, you can download the PDF from the app and send it wherever it needs to go.
- Save directly to your phone, cloud storage, or email it out.
- Keep a backup. The app isn’t a long-term archive.
9. What to Watch Out For
- Mobile quirks: The app sometimes lags or crashes, especially on older phones. Save your progress before sending.
- Formatting issues: Always preview the doc before sending. Fields can shift around on mobile.
- Limits on free plans: You get a handful of free signature requests per month. If you need more, you’ll hit paywalls.
- Security: Signrequest is secure enough for most basic business docs, but think twice before sending anything ultra-sensitive over email.
Alternatives?
If you need complex forms, lots of signers, or deep integrations, you might be better off using the desktop version or a different tool entirely (think DocuSign or Adobe Sign).
10. Quick Tips for Smooth Signing
- Keep docs short: Long contracts are a pain to review on phones.
- Use clear file names: “Contract_with_ClientName.pdf” beats “Doc12345.pdf.”
- Follow up fast: If you don’t get a signature in 24 hours, check in directly.
- Test it yourself: Send a signature request to your own email first, just to see what your client will experience.
Don’t Overthink It—Just Get the Signature
The Signrequest mobile app isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough for collecting signatures on the go. Focus on making things easy for your client: clear docs, simple instructions, and quick follow-ups. If something doesn’t work, try again or switch to your desktop.
Keep it simple. Get the signature. Move on. And remember—iteration beats perfection every time.