PrivyPDF (iOS) — Support

Private, Offline-first PDF Q&A for iPhone & iPad

This document covers how to get help, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting for PrivyPDF on iOS.

About PrivyPDF (iOS)

PrivyPDF is a private, offline-first application that lets you chat with your PDF documents using local AI. It runs entirely on your device or local network, ensuring your data never leaves your control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add documents?

Tap the + button (Import) in the library view
Select a PDF file from your Files app
The app will automatically parse and index the document locally

How does the AI Chat work?

PrivyPDF connects to a local Large Language Model (LLM) — typically hosted on your network via Ollama. When you ask a question, the app:

Searches your document for relevant text (using vector embeddings)
Sends the relevant context and your question to the local LLM
Streams the answer back to you, complete with citations

What are Citations?

When the AI answers your question, it includes small numbers (citations) linking to the source material. Tapping a citation instantly jumps to the exact page and highlights the relevant text in the PDF viewer.

Where is my data stored?

All PDFs, indexes, and chat history are stored locally in the app's sandboxed storage on your iPhone or iPad. Nothing is sent to external servers.

System requirements

iOS 17.0 or later
iPhone 15 Pro or later recommended for best performance (or iPad with M-series chip)
Ollama: A running instance on your local network — ollama.ai

PrivyPDF Pro

What features does Pro unlock?

Unlimited Conversations: Remove the daily limit on chat messages
Cross-Document Context: Allow the AI to answer questions using context from multiple recent documents
Custom Models: Choose any chat or embedding model available on your Ollama server
Advanced Settings: Adjust temperature and other generation parameters

How do I connect to Ollama?

Install and run Ollama on your local computer (Mac/Linux/Windows)
Find your computer's local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50)
In PrivyPDF Settings, enter the base URL: http://192.168.1.50:11434
Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If the app says "Could not connect to Ollama":

Ollama Bind Address: By default, Ollama might only listen on localhost. You may need to set environment variable: OLLAMA_HOST=0.0.0.0 to allow network connections.
Firewall: Check if your computer's firewall is blocking port 11434.
Network isolation: Some guest Wi-Fi networks block device-to-device communication.

Contact Us

For support, bug reports, or feature requests:

Feedback & Issues: Submit Feedback or Report a Problem

PrivyPDF is a tool for personal productivity; we do not guarantee response times.