Use Preview for the documented Mac workflow below, or open the Pagestays tool for a local browser alternative. Choose according to the file's structure and the result the recipient needs.
The documented built-in route
Open a copy in Preview. Choose File, then Export. Choose Reduce File Size in the Quartz Filter menu and save under a new name.
Apple warns that file size and image quality vary with the options. Inspect the output rather than assuming a smaller copy remains readable.
The Pagestays route
Open the compress tool and select a file from your device. Review its controls before making the output. The browser reads the selected document locally; choosing a file is not an upload to Pagestays. Keep the original until the saved copy has been checked.
The local browser alternative re-encodes supported JPEG images without rasterizing every page. Unsupported image streams stay unchanged, so the result can differ from Preview.
A practical example
A scanned receipt packet is too large for its intended destination. Try an export on a copy and compare the smallest printed amounts and dates.
Work through the document in the order the recipient will read it. Look at the first page, the point where you made a change, and the final page. If a form or signature is involved, check it in the saved file, not only in the preview. A preview confirms what is currently on screen; a reopened download confirms what was actually saved.
| Route | Useful when | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Preview | The documented controls are available on your device | The saved copy contains the change|
| Pagestays | You prefer explicit local browser controls | The input uses supported PDF features|
| Publisher-recommended software | The document has specialized form or signing requirements | The recipient accepts the resulting file
Keep storage and editing separate
A local editor can save into a folder that syncs elsewhere. A file opened from a cloud provider can also be downloaded for local editing. Decide where the input and result belong, then choose the operation. The editor's processing location and your storage provider's behavior are separate parts of the workflow.
Good to know
Will the native menus look exactly the same?
Menus depend on the operating-system version, app version, and PDF structure. The linked official guide is the authority for the documented native route.
Is browser processing the same as offline installation?
No. Pagestays processes documents locally after loading its code, but it is not an installed offline application and does not promise availability without an initial connection.
Why keep the original file?
Editing may affect forms, annotations, reading order, or digital signatures. An original gives you a reliable reference and a way to restart.