Frequently Asked Questions

AuraPDF is a free online suite of 16+ PDF tools that lets you merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, watermark, protect, and unlock PDF files directly in your browser. No software installation or account required — just upload your file and get results in seconds. Browse all tools →

Yes. All AuraPDF tools are completely free with no hidden costs, watermarks, or usage limits. You can process as many files as you need without creating an account or entering payment information.

No. AuraPDF works instantly without signup, login, or email verification. Simply visit any tool page, upload your file, and download the result. We believe PDF tools should be frictionless — no barriers between you and your document.

AuraPDF offers 16+ tools organized into three categories: PDF Editing (merge, split, rotate, delete pages, extract pages, reorder, add page numbers, add watermark), Image-to-PDF Conversion (JPG, PNG, HEIC, URL to PDF), and Optimization & Security (compress, health checker, protect, unlock).

Using AuraPDF is simple: (1) Navigate to the tool you need, (2) Upload your file by clicking the upload area or dragging and dropping, (3) Configure any options (if applicable), (4) Click the action button to process, (5) Download your result. The entire process typically takes under 10 seconds.

Yes. Your files are processed securely and automatically deleted from our servers after processing. We use HTTPS encryption for all connections, and files are never shared with third parties. For maximum privacy, many AuraPDF tools process files entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device.

Files are automatically deleted from our servers immediately after processing is complete and the download link is generated. We do not retain copies of your documents. If you close the browser tab before downloading, the file is still cleaned up within minutes.

No. File processing is fully automated — no human reviews your documents at any point. Our servers process the file, return the result, and delete the original. Staff members do not have access to user-uploaded content.

Yes. All connections to AuraPDF use TLS (HTTPS) encryption, the same security standard used by banks and government websites. Your files are encrypted in transit between your browser and our servers, preventing interception by third parties.

Absolutely not. Your files are used solely for the purpose you selected (merge, compress, etc.) and are immediately deleted after processing. AuraPDF does not use uploaded documents for AI training, analytics, advertising, or any other secondary purpose.

AuraPDF supports PDF files up to 100 MB per upload. For image-to-PDF conversion tools, individual images can be up to 50 MB each. If your file exceeds these limits, try compressing it first using our Compress PDF tool to reduce its size.

For multi-file tools like Merge PDF, you can combine up to 20 files in a single operation. Single-file tools (compress, rotate, protect) process one file at a time, but you can process as many files sequentially as you need — there are no daily usage limits.

AuraPDF supports PDF files for all editing and optimization tools, plus JPG/JPEG, PNG, and HEIC images for conversion tools. The URL-to-PDF tool accepts any public web address. All output files are standard PDF format compatible with any PDF reader.

PDF files grow large primarily due to high-resolution images, embedded fonts, and unoptimized content streams. A single high-DPI photograph can add several megabytes. Use AuraPDF's Compress PDF tool to reduce file size by 60–90% without visible quality loss for screen viewing. Learn more in our PDF Compression guide.

Processing time depends on file size, page count, and the operation being performed. Large files (50+ MB) or documents with hundreds of pages naturally take longer. Compression and image conversion are the most processor-intensive operations. If processing exceeds 2 minutes, try refreshing the page and uploading again.

Go to the Merge PDF tool, upload all the files you want to combine (up to 20), drag them into the desired order, and click "Merge PDF." The combined file downloads automatically. Read our complete merge guide for tips.

Yes. AuraPDF's compression uses Ghostscript's intelligent downsampling, which reduces image resolution to match the intended viewing medium. For screen viewing, the compression is virtually imperceptible while achieving 60–90% size reduction. Read our compression guide for tips on preserving quality.

AuraPDF's Unlock PDF tool can remove owner-password restrictions (print/copy/edit locks) that don't require a password to open the file. If a PDF requires a password to open (user password), you must provide the correct password. Learn more about PDF encryption types.

AuraPDF offers dedicated converters: JPG to PDF, PNG to PDF, and HEIC to PDF. Upload your image(s), arrange them if multiple, and click convert. The resulting PDF maintains full image quality. See our image format comparison.

Go to the Add Page Numbers tool, upload your PDF, choose the position (top/bottom, left/center/right), customize the format and starting number, then click "Add Page Numbers." The numbered PDF downloads automatically with professional, consistent numbering on every page.

The most common causes are: (1) the file is corrupted or not a valid PDF, (2) the file exceeds the size limit, (3) the file is password-protected and the tool doesn't support encrypted files. Try uploading a different file to isolate the issue. If the problem persists, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.

Ensure your browser isn't blocking pop-ups or downloads from AuraPDF. Check your browser's downloads folder — the file may have downloaded automatically without the usual dialog. If using Safari on iOS, the downloaded file appears in the Files app. Try refreshing the page and processing the file again.

Some PDFs have limited compression potential — particularly text-heavy documents with few images, or files that have already been compressed. Image-heavy files compress 80–95%, while text-only documents see 10–30% reductions. Check your file's composition with the PDF Health Checker for details.

This error appears when you upload a password-protected PDF to a tool that doesn't support encrypted files. Use AuraPDF's Unlock PDF tool first to remove the password protection, then process the unlocked file with the tool you originally intended.

First, try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or switching to a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari are all supported). If the issue persists, contact us with details about the error, your browser, and the file type you're processing — we'll help resolve it quickly.