---
title: "How long PDFBetter keeps your files"
description: "Retention for guest drafts, tool uploads, deleted documents, version history on each plan and completed signature evidence, in one place."
url: https://help.pdfbetter.com/privacy-security/how-long-files-are-kept/
collection: "Privacy & security"
section: "Your data"
updated: 2026-10-18
publisher: "PDFBetter (AI Generated Inc.)"
---

# How long PDFBetter keeps your files

> Guest drafts are deleted 1 hour after they're created. Files uploaded only to run a tool are deleted after 24 hours. Documents in your account stay until you delete them, then they're erased 30 days later.

| What | How long it's kept |
| --- | --- |
| Drafts made without an account | 1 hour after they're created, then deleted with their files. Sign up before then and they move into your account. |
| Files uploaded only to run a tool, and guest tool results | 24 hours |
| Documents in your account | Until you delete them |
| Documents you delete | In the trash for 30 days, then erased with their files |
| Deleted account | Everything you own is erased right away; file storage is cleared in the background |
| Completed signature evidence | 7 years after completion (see below) |

## Version history on each plan

Every save creates a version you can [restore from the editor's history](https://help.pdfbetter.com/editing/undo-and-version-history/). How far back you can see depends on your plan:

| Free | Pro | Business |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7 days | 90 days | 365 days |

The original upload and the latest version are always available. Older versions outside your plan's window are hidden rather than deleted, and they come back if you upgrade. Restoring creates a new version, so nothing is overwritten.

## Signed documents

When a signature request is completed, PDFBetter keeps the sealed signed PDF, the [certificate of completion and the audit trail](https://help.pdfbetter.com/signing/signed-pdf-certificate-audit-trail/) for 7 years, even if the sender deletes the document or their account. That way everyone who signed can still prove the agreement. Records of requests that were never completed are deleted with the document.

## Other records

- Usage records (which tools were used, never document contents) are kept up to 400 days.
- Billing records are kept as long as tax law requires.
- [Share-link activity](https://help.pdfbetter.com/sharing/share-link-activity/) is kept for 14 days on Free, 90 on Pro and 365 on Business.

> **Working as a guest?:** The editor shows how long your draft is kept. Create a free account from the same browser and your guest drafts move into it automatically and stop expiring.

### My guest draft is gone. Can you recover it?

No. Guest drafts and their files are deleted 1 hour after they're created, and we can't restore them.

### Does PDFBetter keep a copy after I empty the trash?

No. Emptying the trash or choosing **Delete forever** erases the documents, their versions, signed copies and fill-link responses right away. Evidence of completed signature requests is the one exception.

## Related articles

- [Delete documents, and restore them from the trash](https://help.pdfbetter.com/privacy-security/delete-documents-and-trash.md): Select documents and choose Move to trash. They stay in Trash for 30 days, where you can Restore them, then they're erased with their files. Use Delete forever or Empty trash to erase them now.
- [Export your data or delete your account](https://help.pdfbetter.com/privacy-security/export-data-and-delete-account.md): Open Settings → Data & privacy. Click Prepare my export to download your account data and original files. To close your account, click Delete my account, type your email and confirm. This can't be undone.
- [Where your files are stored and who can open them](https://help.pdfbetter.com/privacy-security/where-your-files-are-stored.md): Browser tools such as merge, split and rotate never upload your file. Documents you edit, fill or sign are stored in Cloudflare R2, encrypted at rest, and only you, people you share with and your team (for team documents) can open them.
- [Use PDFBetter without an account](https://help.pdfbetter.com/getting-started/use-pdfbetter-without-account.md): You can open every tool without signing up. Browser tools (merge, split, rotate, images to PDF and more) download free. Edits you make in the editor are a guest draft kept for 1 hour; downloading, sharing or sending them needs a free account.
- [How much storage you have, and what counts toward it](https://help.pdfbetter.com/account-billing/storage-limits.md): Free includes 1 GB, Pro 50 GB and Business 200 GB per seat. See what you've used in Settings → Plan & usage → Storage. When it's full, new files can't be added until you delete documents, empty the trash or upgrade.

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Source: https://help.pdfbetter.com/privacy-security/how-long-files-are-kept/ · PDFBetter Help Center · Last checked against the product 2026-10-18. Questions: support@pdfbetter.com