How to Annotate a PDF Using Google Drive App on Android

You probably already use the Google Drive app on your Android to back up and access your PDFs, but did you know you can also use it to annotate your documents? The Google Drive app lets you add comments, highlights, and drawings to your PDFs to make those last-minute changes from your Android phone or tablet.

The annotation tools in the Google Drive app can come in handy when you’re on the go and don’t have access to a computer. Below, we walk you through the steps for using the Google Drive app to annotate a PDF on your Android phone. So, let’s start.

Prerequisites for Using the Annotation Tools in Google Drive

Before we start, ensure you meet the following requirements for using the annotation tools in the Google Drive app.

• Ensure the PDF is backed up to Google Drive.
• Your phone must be running Android 6.0 or higher.
• Use the latest version of the Google Drive app.

Google Drive for Android

How to Annotate a PDF in the Google Drive App

The Google Drive app on Android makes annotating PDFs with your stylus or a finger. Here’s how to use the app to draw or highlight text in a PDF.

How to Draw on a PDF

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive app and open the PDF you want to edit. Tap the annotate button in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap the pen icon at the bottom-left corner. Then, use the slider to adjust the pen size and select your preferred color.

Step 3: Use your finger or stylus to annotate or mark the PDF. You can use the eraser, undo, and redo options at the bottom while annotating the PDF.

How to Highlight Text in a PDF

You may want to highlight text to mark it important or emphasize on it. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive app, open your PDF, and then tap the annotate button at the bottom-right corner.

Step 2: Select the highlighter option from the bottom toolbar. Then, swipe over the text you want to highlight.

Step 3: Tap the highlighter icon again to change the color and thickness of the highlighter. You can use the eraser or undo options in the toolbar to remove highlights from the text.

How to Add or Remove Comments From Your PDF in the Google Drive App

Aside from drawing and highlighting text, the Google Drive app lets you add and remove comments to your PDF documents. This is quite useful when you are collaborating on a document with others.

To add comments to a PDF using the Google Drive app, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive app. Open your PDF and tap the comment icon at the top to view all the comments in the document.

Step 2: Tap the Add new option at the top-left corner.

Step 3: Tap on the area of the document related to your comment. Resize and move the box to select the preferred area of the document and tap the Add Comment button.

Step 4: Enter your comment and tap the arrow to save it.

You can repeat the above steps to add more comments. If you want to remove a comment later, use these steps:

Step 1: Open your PDF in the Google Drive app and tap the comment icon at the top. Then, select the comment you want to remove.

Step 2: Tap the three vertical dots menu icon next to the comment and select Delete.

Step 3: Select Yes to confirm.

How to Save and Share Your Edited PDF in the Google Drive App

After editing your PDF, you can either overwrite the original file or create a copy and store it in Google Drive. To overwrite the original file, tap the Save button at the top after editing the document.

Alternatively, tap the three-dot menu icon to save the edited PDF as a separate file and select Save copy.

After saving your edited PDF, you can share it with others. To do so, tap the three-dot icon next to it and then share your file via a Google Drive link or directly in another app.

Ink Your Insights

Annotating PDFs directly on your Android phone for free is a convenient way to review important documents or provide input on a file. What are your thoughts about this feature? Do you find it useful? Let us know in the comments below.