Beginner-friendly guide

Delete or replace a PDF —without breaking the link.

Whether you're signed in or sharing in guest mode, MaiPDF lets you swap the file behind a public link in seconds. The link, the QR code, and the Reading Code stay the same —only the PDF and its settings change.

Open Replacement Portal See how it works
Section 01

Want to delete a PDF?

Two paths depending on whether you're signed in or sharing as a guest.

Account

Logged-in users

If your file is in your account dashboard.

  1. Sign in to your MaiPDF account.
  2. Open your Dashboard and find the file in the file list.
  3. Click the file's Delete button.
  4. Confirm —the file and its public link are removed instantly.
Guest mode

Guest mode (no account)

No dashboard? Use the Replacement Portal to "delete" the content.

  1. Upload a blank PDF on MaiPDF and save its codes.
  2. Open the Replacement Portal.
  3. Enter the old file's Reading Code + Paired Control Code.
  4. Enter the blank PDF's Reading Code + Paired Control Code, click Update File.
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Why this works: in guest mode the file isn't tied to an account, so the cleanest way to "withdraw" old content is to push a blank PDF behind the same Reading Code. Anyone visiting the old link will see an empty document instead.
Section 02

Want to replace a PDF?

Update the file (and its settings) without changing the public link, QR code, or Reading Code.

1

Upload the new PDF

Upload your replacement file on MaiPDF — pick view limits, expiration, watermark, etc.

2

Save both code pairs

Copy the new file's Reading Code and Paired Control Code. Keep the old file's codes too.

3

Open the Portal

Visit maipdf.com/pdf/replace-file.html in your browser.

4

Click "Update File"

Enter old + new code pairs. The portal swaps the file behind your existing link.

Stays the same Unchanged

  • The original public link (e.g., maipdf.com/r/ABC123)
  • The QR code printed or shared earlier
  • The Reading Code your audience already knows
  • Anyone who bookmarked the link still finds something there

Gets updated Refreshed

  • The PDF content (the actual file behind the link)
  • View / open limits and counters
  • Expiration date and reminder alerts
  • Download and print permissions
  • Watermark settings
Section 03

The two codes you need

Replacement only works if you have both codes for both files. Save them when you upload.

Reading Code

The public identifier in the link. Anyone who has it can read the document.

maipdf.com/r/ABC123

Use it to: open the file, share access, identify which document you mean during replacement.

Paired Control Code

The private key. Without it, no one —not even you —can replace or modify the file.

Control: *********

Use it to: prove ownership of the file and authorize the replacement on the portal.

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Lose the Paired Control Code, lose the file. Save both codes the moment you upload —preferably to a password manager or a private note. There's no email recovery in guest mode.
Section 04

Want to change file settings?

Same trick: upload a freshly configured PDF, then replace the old file with it. The new settings come along for the ride.

View limitsCap how many opens are allowed.
Expiration dateAuto-expire the link on a date.
Disable downloadForce in-browser viewing only.
Disable printBlock the print button.
WatermarkStamp viewer info on every page.
Read alertsGet pinged when someone opens it.
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Key idea: keep the old link, replace the file behind it. Your audience never sees a broken QR code or a 404 —they just see the latest version.
Section 05

Frequently asked questions

Will the public link change after replacement?
No. The whole point of the Replacement Portal is to keep the same link, the same QR code, and the same Reading Code. Only the file and its settings change.
I lost my Paired Control Code. Can I still replace the file?
In guest mode, no. The Paired Control Code is the proof of ownership —without it, the portal can't verify that you're authorized to replace the file. Always save the codes when you upload.
Can I delete a PDF in guest mode?
There's no direct "delete" button without an account. The accepted workaround is to upload a blank PDF and replace the old file with it. The link stays alive but points to an empty document.
Does replacement reset the view counter?
Yes. View limits and counters update along with the new file's settings, so a fresh PDF starts with a fresh count.
Can I replace a PDF with a non-PDF file?
You'll need to upload the new file on MaiPDF first. As long as MaiPDF accepts the format and gives it a Reading Code + Paired Control Code, the portal can swap it in.
Is there a limit to how many times I can replace a file?
You can replace it as often as you need —each replacement just requires the current file's codes plus the new file's codes.
Next step

Use the Replacement Portal

Have the old file's codes and the new file's codes ready before you start. Replacement keeps the public link alive while updating the file behind it.

Open Portal Review steps