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FAQ for Persistent Protection after Download (PPAD)

This page answers frequently asked questions about sharing protected files for download, based on common user issues and feedback.

Andre Klaus avatar
Written by Andre Klaus
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Which plans include Persistent Protection After Download (PPAD)?

Persistent Protection After Download (PPAD) is available for document security on the following plans:

  • ✅ Pro Plan

  • ✅ Team Plan

  • ✅ Enterprise Plan

PPAD is not available on:

  • ❌ Legacy plans

Note: PPAD availability for data rooms may differ once this feature is released for that use case.

Does using PPAD consume credits?
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Yes. PPAD consumes credits in the same way as document security.
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One credit is needed to send 1 file to 1 unique recipient. For example, if you wish to send 2 documents to 5 unique recipients, you'll need 10 credits.

When replacing a file sent earlier, the credit usage corresponds to the number of recipients.
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What file types does PPAD currently support?
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PPAD supports the following file types

  • PDF: (.PDF)

  • Spreadsheets: (.XLSX)

  • Document ( .DOC, .DOCX, .MOBI, .ODT, .OTT, .EPUB, .XPS)

  • Presentation (.PPT, .PPTX, .PPTM, .PPSM, .POTM, .ODP, .OTP)

  • Private notes: (.TXT)

  • Images: (.JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP)

Support for video and audio files is planned for the future.

Does PPAD support file editing?

No, file editing is not currently supported with PPAD.

However, support for editing Office documents (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is planned for future releases of the product.

Does PPAD support offline viewing?
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Yes, PPAD supports limited offline viewing.

To open a PPAD file for the first time, an internet connection is required. Once opened, the file can be accessed offline for up to 72 hours from that initial opening.
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After the 72-hour period expires, an internet connection is required to reset the offline access window for another 72 hours.
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Note: In a future update, the offline access window may become configurable by the sender, allowing more flexibility over how long recipients can view files without an internet connection. In addition the offline access window will reset every time the file is viewed online.
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Please note:

  • An internet connection is required to initially open or download the file.

  • A connection is also needed to switch users.

Can recipients rename the file name of the .PPAD file?

Yes, once downloaded, recipients can rename the file. File analytics will still be tracked under the original name it was shared with.

Are analytics still tracked when a file is downloaded as a PPAD?

Yes, analytics are fully tracked even when a file is downloaded as a PPAD. The tracking functions the same way as it does when a file is accessed via a secure link within Document Security.
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Additionally, if a recipient views the file while offline, analytics are still recorded and will sync the next time the device connects to the internet.

If I revoke access to a sent PPAD file, how long does it take to take effect?

When you revoke access to a recipient for a shared PPAD file, the change takes effect immediately.

When I replace a file version, will existing downloaded .ppad reflect the latest version?

No, downloaded .ppad files do not automatically update when a new version is uploaded to Digify. Each .ppad file functions as a standalone copy on the recipient’s device.
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If a file is updated on Digify, recipients must download the new version separately as a new .ppad file to access the latest content.

When do changes to file settings (e.g., watermarks or screen shields) take effect for recipients?
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  1. For recipients who have not yet opened the file, changes to settings such as watermarks or screen shields take effect immediately.

  2. For recipients who have already opened the file, the updated settings will be applied within 72 hours.

I get a notification that the viewer is already installed after downloading a PPAD file. Why is this happening?

This message can appear if the site data was cleared from your browser without first uninstalling the PPAD Viewer.
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Despite the notification, you will still be able to download and open the PPAD file as normal
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To prevent the popup from appearing in the future, simply uninstall the PPAD Viewer completely and then reinstall it. This will reset the installation status and stop the message from showing again.

Why is the viewer stuck on "Checking browser compatibility" during installation?

On the initial load, the viewer may take 30 seconds or more to complete the "Checking browser compatibility" step.
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This is a known issue and is being addressed in an upcoming release to improve load times and user experience.

I’m being asked to use Chrome or Edge, but I’m already using one of them

If you see a message prompting you to use Chrome or Edge shown below, even though you're already using one of these browsers, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

  1. You're in incognito or private browsing mode

    • The PPAD viewer installation is not supported in incognito mode.

    • Try opening the page in a regular browser window.
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  2. Your browser is outdated

    • Make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome or Edge.

    • Updating your browser may resolve the issue.
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I can’t install the PPAD viewer because it says it’s already installed

If you receive a message saying the PPAD viewer is already installed, try the following steps:

  1. Check if you're in incognito/private browsing mode

    • Incognito mode can prevent the PPAD viewer from functioning correctly.

    • Open the page in a regular browser window.

  2. Ensure previous versions are fully removed

    • Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall any old version of the PPAD viewer.

    • Once removed, click "Retry" or "Reinstall" to begin a fresh installation.
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