Supported browsers and fixing saving or loading problems
Use a current version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox with JavaScript on. If the editor shows Offline — will retry, keep the tab open; it saves when you reconnect. Changed elsewhere means another tab edited the document: choose Reload latest or Keep my version.
Updated 2 min read
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PDFBetter works in current versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox, on computers and phones. JavaScript must be on. If a link misbehaves inside another app's built-in browser (a mail or social app), open it in your regular browser instead.
Saving problems in the editor
| Status or message | What to do |
|---|---|
| Offline — will retry | Your changes are kept in this tab. Reconnect and they save automatically. Don't close or reload the tab until it says Saved. |
| Saving failed, retrying… | A problem on our side. It retries on its own; click Retry now to force it. |
| Not saved with Couldn’t save your latest changes | Click Details to see why, fix it (for example remove a very large image), then Retry. |
| Changed elsewhere | The same document is open in another tab or device. Saving pauses so nothing is overwritten. Reload latest takes the other version; Keep my version saves yours on top. |
| Your session ended. Reload the page to start again — nothing was sent. | Reload and log in again. |
A page won't load or looks broken
Step 1: Reload the page
Messages like We couldn’t reach PDFBetter. Check your connection and reload. usually clear after a reload.
Step 2: Try a private window
If it works there, an extension is interfering. Turn off ad or script blockers for pdfbetter.com.
Step 3: Clear the site's cache
Clear cached files for pdfbetter.com in your browser settings, then reload.
Step 4: Try another browser
If one browser fails and another works, tell us which browser and version.
Camera and phone features
- Camera access was blocked: allow the camera for pdfbetter.com in your browser's site settings, or use Upload an image or Draw instead.
- This browser can’t use a camera here: use Add via QR code to sign on your phone, or upload a photo of your signature.
Does PDFBetter work offline?
Not fully. The editor keeps changes made while offline in the open tab and saves them when you reconnect, but you can't open new documents offline. More in Can I use PDFBetter offline?
Is there an app instead of the browser?
Yes, for Mac, Windows and iPhone. See Download.
Did this answer your question?
Related articles
- Contact support and include the details we needUse the contact form (also under Help → Contact support in the app) or email [email protected]. Include your account email, what you were doing, the exact error message, your browser and the time it happened. A person reads every message and replies within two business days.
- A PDF won't open: password-protected or damaged filesIf the PDF is password-protected, unlock it with Unlock PDF (you need the password) and upload the unlocked copy. If it's damaged or too complex, re-save it or print it to a new PDF from the app that made it, then upload that copy.
- Upload fails or stalls, and file size and page limitsMost failed uploads are a dropped connection: click Retry in the Uploads tray. If the message says the file is too large or has too many pages, you've hit your plan's limit: 50 MB and 500 pages per document on Free.
- Undo changes and restore an earlier versionPress ⌘/Ctrl Z to undo and ⇧ ⌘/Ctrl Z (or Ctrl Y) to redo. Your work saves automatically; to go further back, open More (⋯) → Version history and click Restore on any version. Restoring never erases the current state.