What is meant by mobile signature?

A mobile signature refers to the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to generate electronic signatures for digital documents or transactions. The mobile signature allows users to provide legally valid electronic signatures without relying on physical documents.

Typical software functions in the area of “mobile signature”:

Signature creation & formats: Generating signatures for PDFs/data (e.g., PAdES, XAdES, CAdES) including visual appearance and LTV support.
Remote/cloud signing with HSM: Server-side key protection; approval via push/OTP/biometrics in the mobile app.
Local device signing: Using secure device storage (Secure Enclave/Keystore/SIM SE) for private keys.
Identity verification (eKYC): Onboarding via eID, video identification, reference transfer, or automated methods to issue certificates.
Certificate & key management: Issuance, renewal, revocation (OCSP/CRL), PIN/biometric management, and policies.
Authentication & step-up: MFA with biometrics, PIN, FIDO2/security keys, TOTP/SMS, and risk-based checks.
eIDAS compliance & levels: Enforcing SES/AES/QES policies per use case; proof of compliance.
Timestamps & evidencing: Qualified timestamps, complete audit trails, integrity proofs, and tamper-evident logs.
Document & approval workflows: Sequencing, parallel approvals, roles/delegations, reminders, and deadlines.
Viewer & form fields: Mobile document viewing, required fields, initials/signature fields, attachments, QR or deep-link initiation.
Integrations & APIs: REST/SOAP APIs, mobile SDKs, SSO (SAML/OIDC), and connectors to Office/DMS/ERP/CRM.
Compliance & data protection: GDPR-compliant processing, encryption, role/permission models, retention and export.

Examples of “mobile signature” (updated):

Executives approve contracts via a mobile app with QES while traveling.
Field service teams finalize service reports and acceptance records on tablets—including offline signing with later sync.
Tradespeople on site (e.g., electricians, plumbers, painters): Customers sign the service confirmation directly on the tradesperson’s smartphone/tablet; materials and time are captured, the signature includes time/location stamps, and QES can be used for legally robust acceptance.
Bank customers authorize high-risk transactions using mobile signature with push confirmation and biometrics.
Public sector: citizens sign applications using a national eID/ID app with qualified remote signing.
HR digitizes onboarding: employment and privacy documents are signed lawfully on smartphones.
Logistics: proof-of-delivery and handover records are signed at the customer site and archived automatically.