Google Chrome’s latest beta version includes the ability to digitally sign PDF files. This feature could soon make its way to the stable version of the web browser. It would allow users to insert their digital signature into a PDF document.
The latest Google Chrome Canary version has a “PDF Ink Signature” feature
Google Chrome includes a robust, reliable, and fast PDF document viewer. It allows users to quickly open a PDF document without leaving the browser or opening another application.
The latest stable version of Google Chrome has multiple tools to view PDF files. Users can zoom in on a document, fit it to a page, enable a two-page view, rotate the pages, and access the table of contents. Google Files can also save scanned documents as PDFs, which can be accessed in Chrome.
There is a new flag in Chrome Canary that “enables the ability to annotate PDFs using a new ink library”, but so far I haven’t noticed any changes in the PDF viewer after enabling it:https://t.co/sX7rxOPMKe pic.twitter.com/jGfpBpi5J1
— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) April 19, 2024
PDF documents could accept and carry digital signatures for a long time. The digital code offered proof of authentication and authorization. Needless to say, to date, only a few dedicated platforms such as Adobe’s Acrobat suite offered this feature
Hidden inside the latest Canary version of Google Chrome is the ability to include a digital signature in a PDF document. The Chrome Canary version 126 has an experimental flag that, when activated, enables the “PDF Ink Signatures” feature.
When will Google Chrome allow users to digitally sign a PDF document?
Google hasn’t activated the PDF Ink Signature Annotations feature in the stable version of Chrome web browser yet. However, the presence of the flag inside the Canary version of the web browser is a strong indicator of the possibility.
The Chrome Canary flag reportedly confirms the digital signature tool will be available in an upcoming stable version of the Chrome web browser. Even the Chromium documentation seems to suggest so.
Google Chrome works on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, Fuschia, and Lacros. Hence Chrome web browsers for these Operating Systems (OS) could get the feature. There’s, however, no confirmed timeline for the deployment.
New! Access #Adobe Acrobat PDF tools in #Chrome; view, fill, comment, sign, convert, and compress tools available.https://t.co/bqigfJ3um7 #PDF #Chromeextension pic.twitter.com/N8JLZI7RIt
— MajorGeeks (@majorgeeks) January 31, 2024
Chrome’s rival Microsoft Edge is considerably ahead in PDF document modification. Edge currently packs a full suite of annotation tools such as Draw, Eraser, Highlighter, etc. Google might be jumping straight to digital signature support.
To test the PDF Ink Signatures features, users need to download Google Chrome Canary. Then type “chrome://flags/#pdf-ink2” in the address bar, and toggle the setting to “Enabled”
It is important to note that the Google Chrome Canary version isn’t meant for everyday usage or the general public. It is an unstable experimental version intended for beta testers.
Hence, it would be wise to wait for an update for the stable version of the web browser for the PDF Ink Signatures feature to be activated by default. Google might be developing this feature for the recently introduced Chrome Enterprise Premium.