How to Compress a PDF on Windows, Mac, Android, & iPhone?

Being a professional, you may be getting hundreds of PDF files related to your documents daily. You may have seen that such files are taking up a lot of space on your device. The best solution to reduce the space coverage is by learning how to compress a PDF and use this approach.

Not all professionals know this technique to save storage from their device’s disk. In this blog, we will help all our readers understand the right steps to follow when it comes to knowing how to compress PDF for saving storage without damaging the quality. 

Part 1. How to Compress a PDF on Windows and Mac?

For those who get PDF files on their Windows or Mac systems, no other solution to compress their files is better than Adobe Acrobat. Normally, people think that they can use this software just for reading and basic editing purposes.

It is completely wrong because Adobe Acrobat comes with a complete toolkit for a variety of users. Whether you are looking for software to read comments on PDF or leave new comments, you will find a tool for every purpose.

In addition to this, its toolkit also has some unique tools related to document protection, signing, conversion, and many others. Among other tools, it also has a specific tool that will help you understand how to compress a PDF on Windows or Mac devices.

Unlike other software, it has a special tool that will surely help you reduce the file size up to a prominent mark. It is right to say that this software will help you reduce the size of the file by more than 60% of the original size. Undoubtedly, it all depends on the graphics that your file will have.

However, Adobe Acrobat focuses on reducing the size by compressing the graphics and text without impacting the quality. If you haven’t used this software for this purpose, read here how to compress a PDF file using it.

Step 1. Launch Adobe Acrobat on your system and open your file in it.

Step 2. Scroll down and find the tool named “Compress a PDF” and click on it.

 

compress a pdf in adobe acrobat

 

Step 3. Use the given options to adjust the settings and hit the “OK” button.

After doing this, it may ask you to choose the name for the new file. It is because Adobe Acrobat allows you to save a new file instead of replacing the original one. It is up to you whether you want to keep the older version of the file in your future archives or delete it permanently.

The only limitation of this application is its paid working. You will be able to access its features for free for 7 days only. After this trial period, you have to get a subscription to Adobe Acrobat which may not be suitable for you. To overcome the issue, you should choose an Adobe Acrobat alternative free to use being a free user.

Part 2. How to Compress PDF Full Size on Android?

At this time, it is common to use Android mobiles for viewing, reading, and editing PDF files. It might be possible that you are doing the same. However, your Android device’s storage isn’t enough to keep thousands of PDF files.

So, it is highly recommended to download the Compress PDF File application from Google Play. This mobile application is particularly made for Android devices to reduce the size of the file. It enables you to compress your PDF files and quickly save a copy of the original file.

In turn, you can delete the original file and keep the new one in your archives for later usage. Unlike other PDF reader Android applications, it will not ask you to register an account to use it. The application has been designed for free access for everyone.

Moreover, you won’t have to invest a lot of time while learning how to compress a PDF using this Android application. Its simple interface is pretty easy to understand and go ahead with the compressing of your files.

One of the best functions of this application is its ability to ask you to customize the settings. It enables you to decide to which extent you want to change the image’s color quality. You can also choose from various options shown below the customization sliders to choose how much you want the new file to be impacted.

Though it has a simple interface it is important to understand how to compress a PDF file size using this application. That’s why, we have listed the steps below to follow for this process.

Step 1. Download & install this application on your Android device.

Step 2. Open your application by clicking on the “File” icon shown in the right bottom section.

Step 3. Now, use the given options to adjust the parameters like image quality, font compressing, etc.

 

compressing file options in android application

 

Step 4. Hit the “Next” button to let the application do the work.

After a while, you will see a new file with compressed size to download on your device. You can easily accomplish this process just by hitting the download button. This is what you have to do while learning how to compress a PDF document size on your Android device.

Part 3. How to Compress a PDF Document Size on iPhone/iPad?

Don’t worry if you are using an iPhone or iPad and want to learn how to compress a PDF on your device. You can download a specific application named PDF Compressor – Compress PDF from the App Store. As the name shows, this application is particularly designed to reduce the size of any PDF file.

Many iPhone or iPad users try to use an iPad PDF Reader for this purpose and end up with no results. Keep in mind that PDF reading applications have only basic functions related to reading and editing. When you are trying to understand how to compress PDF on your iPhone/iPad, you need this type of application.

It will help you reduce your document’s size within a few seconds without impacting the overall quality. Undoubtedly, it will reduce the image quality because of which the overall size of the document will become lower.

But the preview of your document will not be impacted when you are using this application. In addition to this, the application keeps storing all your compressed files. It means that you can directly access your files from this application and preview them.

It is right to say that a PDF Compressor will also work like a light PDF reader to preview your files. Abide by this discussion, it doesn’t ask you to wait to upload and then compress your files. This application will compress your files side by side when you are uploading them.

To help you understand how to compress PDF files using this application, we have listed the steps below.

Step 1. Open this application on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Click on the “Select PDF” and choose a file from your device’s storage.

 

select pdf button in iphone application

 

Step 3. Once selected, it will start uploading and compressing your file.

Step 4. After compressing, it will show the “Open/Share PDF File” option on the screen.

 

open share pdf file via iphone application

 

By clicking on that option, you will get a preview of the application. In turn, you can read the file using its built-in reader. In addition to this, you can also share your file with your other Apple devices or friends via direct link.

Part 4. How to Compress PDF Files Online?

When it comes to finding an online resource to compress PDF files, you will find hundreds of choices. However, not all of those are good to learn how to compress a PDF and use them. After thorough research, we have found the IlovePDF online tool perfect for this purpose.

Using its PDF compressing tool, you can compress your files up to a specific level. Along with a compressor, it also offers multiple tools like an online PDF converter, page rotating tool, page remover, and many others. Such online tools make it a good Sejda alternative as you can access them for free.

Abide by this discussion, its PDF compressor will help you decide whether you want a compressed file with low-quality results or want to protect the quality of your file’s content. Let us list its three working modes to help you understand the workings of this online tool while learning how to compress PDF using it.

Extreme Compression: In this mode, your file’s size will be reduced to the lowest mark. It will compress the PDF document to the extent to which it is possible. The quality of the document’s content will be damaged prominently in this mode.

Recommended Compression: It is the recommended working mode of this online PDF compressor. In this mode, the files will neither be compressed much but the quality is kept up to the mark. It is right to say that your content’s quality is kept moderate with the reduction of files to a moderate level.

Less Compression: It is another working mode of this compressor in which the content quality is kept protected. You will see a minor difference in the sizes of original and new files.

Now, you have enough information about this tool’s working modes. Let us help you learn how to compress a PDF file using it in simple steps.

Step 1. Browse the “Compress PDF” tool by IlovePDF on your browser.

Step 2. Hit the upload button and choose the file from your system.

 

select pdf file in ilovepdf

 

Step 3. Choose the mode in which you want the tool to work and click on the “Compress PDF” button.

 

compress pdf button in ilovepdf

 

It will take a few minutes to process your file and share one to download with a reduced size. In turn, you will be able to get a file with reduced size and store multiple ones. Using its online tool, you can also use it as a Xodo alternative to read and edit your files if some content has been merged during compression.

Part 5. How to Compress PDF With Free Afirstsoft Online PDF Compressor?

Undoubtedly, the above-mentioned online tool is a good choice to understand how to compress PDF file size. However, its multiple working modes can make you confused. In this regard, the best approach is using the online PDF compressor by Afirstsoft PDF.

This particular tool is made with advanced algorithms to adjust the size of your file and keep the content protected. It is right to say that you will not see any difference in the quality of the original and compressed files.

Moreover, you can use this online tool without any subscription or free account. Like its fast PDF reader for Windows and Mac, you can use this online tool in your browser. While uploading your file to this tool, you won’t need to worry about its size.

This online PDF compressor will allow you to add a file with extensive size and number of pages. You only have to upload your file and get the compressed file within a few seconds. Its fast algorithm will process your document quickly and make the new file downloadable on the new page.

You only have to hit the given button to download the file and save it on your device. Its limitless working will help you use this online tool as many times as you want. So, you don’t have to worry if you are getting multiple files and want to compress them.

Part 6. Summary

From this blog, we hope you have learned the right steps to understand how to compress a PDF. We have discussed the right methods to follow for different tools. You only have to choose the tool that you think is suitable for you and follow the above-mentioned steps.

Emily Davis

Editor-in-Chief

Emily Davis is one of the staff editors of Afirstsoft PDF Editor team. She is a dedicated staff editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for refining content.

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