To remove a page from a PDF, open it in a PDF editor, select the page thumbnail, delete it, then save a new copy.
File clutter slows work. A single stray page can break a print job, confuse a client, or bump a document past email size limits. This guide shows clear ways to delete pages in a PDF on Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and the web. You get step-by-step paths, pro tips, and privacy notes so you can finish the task without drama.
Delete A Page In A PDF On Any Device: Quick Paths
Most readers already own tools that can remove pages. The trick is knowing where each control lives. Pick your platform below, then follow the short path. If a tool cannot save changes, use the print dialog to create a new file that contains only the pages you want to keep.
| Platform | Built-In Method | Fast Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Print to PDF via Edge | Open PDF → Print → Pages field → pick ranges → Save as new PDF |
| macOS | Preview app | View → Thumbnails → select pages → Delete → Save |
| iPhone/iPad | Files or Books share sheet | Share → Print → Page Range → pinch preview → Save to Files |
| Android | System Print to PDF | Share → Print → Pages → Save as PDF |
| Web | Online editor | Upload → delete thumbnails → Apply changes → Download |
| Adobe Acrobat | Organize Pages tool | All tools → Organize Pages → select → Delete → Save |
Windows: Keep Only The Pages You Need
On a PC, the fastest option lives in the browser. Open the PDF in Edge, press Ctrl+P, set Pages to a range like 1-3,7, choose Save as PDF, then save. You get a new file with just those pages.
When You Need True Deletion
Printing creates a copy that omits pages, which is perfect for sharing. If you must change the original, pick a desktop editor. Many suites can remove pages directly, then save over the file or as a versioned copy.
Quick Troubleshooting On Windows
- Missing Save as PDF? Install a PDF printer, or update Edge.
- Fonts look off? Reopen the original and export again with Background graphics enabled.
- Still too large? Repeat the print step and uncheck high-resolution settings to shrink size.
macOS: Use Preview For Real Deletions
Preview can remove pages without extra software. Open the file, choose View > Thumbnails, select one or many pages in the sidebar, press Delete, then save. For a copy that keeps select pages only, choose File > Print, set the page range, and use the PDF button to save a new document.
Speed Moves In Preview
- Shift-click to select a range in the sidebar; Command-click to pick non-adjacent pages.
- Use Duplicate to make a copy before large edits so the original stays intact.
Adobe Acrobat: Full Control Over Page Thumbnails
If you own Acrobat, use the Organize Pages workspace. Open the PDF, pick All tools > Organize Pages, select one or many thumbnails, click the trash can, then save. Batch jobs go faster here: you can remove odd pages, merge files, and crop or rotate in the same pass.
Why Many Teams Use This Route
Acrobat preserves bookmarks, links, form fields, and layers when possible. That helps in legal bundles, bids, and walkthrough decks where structure matters. You can also set page labels, lock the file, and tag pages for accessibility in one run.
Phones And Tablets: Trim On The Go
On iPhone, you can delete inside Preview on iOS or create a slim copy from the print sheet. Open the share menu, pick Print, set the page range, pinch the preview to full screen, then use the share button to save as a new PDF. On Android, open the file in any viewer, tap Print, choose the page range, then save to PDF. It is fast and works without a login.
Mobile Tips That Save Taps
- Mark the pages you need before you open the print sheet; it cuts guesswork.
- Send the result to your cloud drive right away so it lands on your laptop too.
Web Tools: Quick Edits Without Installing Anything
Online editors can remove pages through a browser. Upload the file, select the thumbnails you want to drop, apply changes, then download the result. Many tools add a limit on file size or daily tasks for free accounts. Use them for light work, or switch to a desktop app for large batches.
Privacy And File Limits
Most services delete uploads after a short window and use HTTPS during transfer. Read each site’s limits and data policy before you send a contract or a report with client data. When privacy matters, stick to built-in apps or a paid editor that processes files on your computer.
Method Pickers For Common Jobs
Match the job to the method. The picks below reduce clicks and avoid switching.
Fast Picks
- One page out of five: Edge or Preview via Print → set page range → Save as PDF.
- Multiple pages across a long report: Acrobat’s Organize Pages, then save.
- On a phone: Print sheet → page range → pinch to save.
- No install allowed: Reputable web editor, then download.
Step-By-Step Walkthroughs
Windows: Print To A New PDF
- Open the file in Edge.
- Press Ctrl+P to open Print.
- In Pages, type a range such as
2-6or a list like1,3,7. - Set the printer to Save as PDF, then click Save.
- Pick a folder and name the new file.
macOS: Delete In Preview
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Choose View > Thumbnails.
- Select the pages to remove.
- Press Delete, then save.
Acrobat: Use Organize Pages
- Open the PDF in Acrobat.
- Select All tools > Organize Pages.
- Choose the thumbnails to remove, then click the trash can.
- Click OK if prompted, then save.
Care With Bookmarks, Links, And Forms
Some PDFs carry interactive bits. When you delete a page that holds a link target or a form field, you may break navigation. Check the output by clicking bookmarks and links in the slimmed file. If you see a dead jump, rebuild the link or replace the index page that pointed to the old location.
Versioning That Prevents Surprises
Save a copy before deep edits. A short suffix like _v2 or _pages-removed saves time when you hunt the history later. Teams that work in cloud drives can also lock the original or mark it read-only.
Speed Tricks For Heavy PDFs
Big plans and reports can crawl. Close extra apps, run edits locally, and pause sync. If a file opens slowly, export images at a lower DPI during the print pass, then check that charts and text still look crisp.
Shortcuts You Will Use Daily
- Windows: Ctrl+P opens Print; Alt+F, A opens Save As in many apps.
- macOS: Command+P opens Print; Command+S saves; Command+Z undoes a mis-click.
Security And Privacy Notes
When a PDF includes quotes, invoices, or HR data, treat the file with care. Avoid email if the document carries client names or payment details. Use a password on the result, or share via a link with viewer-only rights. When you trim on the web, send only the pages you need, or switch to a local editor for full control.
Reference Steps From Official Guides
You can verify steps in vendor help pages. Acrobat’s Organize Pages article shows where the delete control sits in the toolbar. Apple’s Preview help explains the sidebar steps on a Mac. These pages match the sequences above and help when menus move after an update.
Common Errors And Fixes
Sometimes a tool looks like it removed a page, yet the old page still shows up on another device. That usually means the viewer cached the file. Close the tab, reopen the saved copy, or rename the file and open it again. If a cloud drive previews the old version, force a refresh or wait for sync to finish.
Another frequent snag is a locked document. If the file asks for a password before edits, you need that code to remove pages. Ask the sender for an editable copy, or print to a new PDF to share only the pages you need. When a fillable form loses buttons or color after a print pass, enable background graphics in the print dialog. If images look soft, export again with higher quality and check the smallest text on screen before you send the result.
Why Trimming Pages Helps
Shorter files cut load times, make search faster, and reduce review errors. People scan quicker when each page matters. Trimming also lowers storage and transfer costs for teams that move large plans or photo-heavy reports. If you share with clients, a lean file keeps attention on the points you want to land. Send the condensed copy for review and keep the full set in your archive so you can trace changes later.
Second Table: Limits, Costs, And Privacy
| Tool | Limits/Cost | Privacy/Offline |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Print to PDF | No cost; ranges only | Local save; good for light edits |
| Preview | Free on Mac | Local edits; no upload |
| Acrobat | Paid plan after trial | Desktop or web; set passwords |
| Web editors | Free tiers cap pages or size | Uploads deleted after a window; check policy |
Wrap-Up: Pick The Path That Fits The Job
Use the print route for a quick copy with selected pages. Use Preview or Acrobat when you need true deletion in the original and tools like reorder, rotate, crop, or merge. Keep a versioned backup, scan links after edits, and treat sensitive files with care. That mix gets the task done fast without leaks or layout surprises.
