How to Sign PDF Without USB Token in 2026

For years, digital signatures in India have been synonymous with USB tokens — those small eToken devices that plug into your computer. If you're a Chartered Accountant, company director, or legal professional, you've probably carried one in your laptop bag for years.

But USB tokens create real problems in modern work environments:

• They're tied to one computer — you can't sign from your phone or a client's machine
• They require specific driver software that may not work on newer operating systems
• They break, get lost, or get forgotten at home on the day you need them most
• They don't work on mobile devices at all

The Modern Alternative: Software-Based Signing

Your DSC certificate can exist as a .pfx (or .p12) file — a software copy of your certificate and private key, protected by a password. This is the same certificate, with the same legal validity, just in a portable format.

With Falcon Sign, you import this .pfx file once into the app. Your private key is then stored in your phone's hardware security module (Android Keystore or iOS Secure Enclave). This is not less secure than a USB token — in fact, modern phone hardware security is equivalent or superior to most eToken devices.

How to Export Your Certificate from a USB Token

If you already have a USB token, you can export the certificate as a .pfx file:

1. 1Insert your USB token into your computer
2. 2Open the token management software (ePass2003, SafeNet, or similar)
3. 3Find your certificate and select "Export" or "Backup"
4. 4Choose PKCS#12 (.pfx) format with private key
5. 5Set a strong export password (you'll need this when importing)
6. 6Save the .pfx file and transfer it securely to your phone

Importing into Falcon Sign

Once you have your .pfx file, importing takes 30 seconds:

1. 1Open Falcon Sign → Settings → Certificates
2. 2Tap "Import Certificate"
3. 3Select your .pfx file
4. 4Enter the certificate password
5. 5Done — your certificate appears in the list, ready to use

Signing a Document

With your certificate imported, signing any PDF is instant:

1. 1Open any PDF in Falcon Sign
2. 2Tap the "Sign" button
3. 3Choose your certificate
4. 4Select visible or invisible signature
5. 5Place signature (if visible) and confirm with biometrics
6. 6Done — document is signed with a legally valid PKCS#7 digital signature