> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.apryse.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.apryse.com/ios/basic-operations/saving.md).

# Saving documents on iOS

Learn how to save PDF documents using PDFNet saving APIs from PTPDFDoc class. Explore different saving modes like removing unused objects, incremental saving, and linearized format for optimized stora

Use PDFNet saving APIs from [`PTPDFDoc`](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Classes/PTPDFDoc.html) class to save PDF documents on local storage.

## Save by path

To save a PDF document to path use [`(void)SaveToFile:(NSString *)path flags:(unsigned int)flags`](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Classes/PTPDFDoc.html#/c:objc\(cs\)PTPDFDoc\(im\)SaveToFile:flags:):

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Obj-C" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```objc
[pdfDoc Lock];
[pdfDoc SaveToFile:docPath flags:0];
[pdfDoc Unlock];
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Saving modes

There are a few ways to save a PDF document on permanent storage such as save with remove unused objects, save incrementally, and save in linearized format. See complete [list of saving modes](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Enums/PTSaveOptions.html).

### Save with remove unused objects ([`REMOVE_UNUSED`](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Enums/PTSaveOptions.html#/c:@E@PTSaveOptions@e_ptremove_unused))

This mode is optimized in terms of storage volume as it rearranges the PDF document and removes unused objects. As a result, the output file may be improved in terms of rendering too, although the saving process itself may take longer compared to other modes.

### Save incrementally ([`INCREMENTAL`](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Enums/PTSaveOptions.html#/c:@E@PTSaveOptions@e_ptincremental))

Use the incremental mode if you are concerned about saving time. If you use this mode, any changes to the document, even deleting annotations, will result in appending to the PDF file. Note that it is not possible to incrementally save the document if the underlying file has an XRef table that had to be repaired when the file was opened (see <https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/pdfnet-sdk/GZwt_U16ipw/zhq43GQnNlYJ>).

### Save in linearized format ([`LINEARIZED`](https://sdk.apryse.com/api/ios/Enums/PTSaveOptions.html#/c:@E@PTSaveOptions@e_ptlinearized))

The linearized format is preferred for file streaming situations, such as when you want to upload a PDF document. A linearized PDF file is a PDF file that is structured in a way that allows the first page of the PDF file to be displayed in a user's device before the entire file is downloaded from the Web server. If you're developing a system that creates large PDF files for delivery to client, you should try to make sure that your system can generate linearized PDF files. Your users might become frustrated and impatient if your system creates large PDF files that are not linearized, because it could take 30 seconds or even longer for a user's device to display a large PDF file that is not linearized. PDF linearization is also know as 'fast web view'.


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