FAQ
Quick answers about 1FileTool: how offline it is, what free covers, where files go, Replace source, OCR limits, platforms and updates.
The short answers to the questions new users ask most — each links to the doc page with the full story.
Does 1FileTool upload my files? No. Every tool runs on your computer; file content never crosses the network. The one exception is AI Chat, which works through an AI CLI you installed — its provider sees whatever it reads. Full detail: Privacy: what leaves your computer.
Is it really free? The free tier is the complete app — all 270+ tools — capped at 8 output files per day. Pro ($29–$89 one-time, 1–5 devices) removes the cap and unlocks a few extras. See Free vs Pro.
Where do my converted files go?
Either over the original (Replace source on, the default — no backup copy is kept) or into ~/Documents/1FileTool (off). Details and exceptions: Output folder and Replace source.
Can I undo Replace source? No — on means the original is overwritten in place with no backup. If that scares you (it should, at first), run with it off until you trust the flow.
Does OCR make a searchable PDF?
No — OCR outputs a plain .txt file, and it's English-only. For converting scans to editable text there are dedicated tools like Scanned PDF to Word; results vary with scan quality.
Can it convert to HEIC? No — HEIC/HEIF is input-only. iPhone photos convert from HEIC to JPG/PNG/etc., never back.
Why did my "compressed" PDF barely shrink? PDF compression works on the embedded images; a text-heavy or already-optimized PDF may not shrink — and some files legitimately grow. The result card always shows before/after sizes honestly.
Windows warned me before installing — is that normal? Yes: the Windows installer isn't code-signed yet, so SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC". More info → Run anyway. macOS builds are signed and notarized; Linux builds are unsigned.
Which platforms and CPUs are supported? macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel, signed + notarized), Windows x64, and Linux x64 (AppImage and .deb). No ARM builds for Windows or Linux.
How do updates work? The app checks GitHub Releases on startup and every 6 hours, or run Check for Updates... from the menu. Pro licenses include one year of updates. Manage it in Settings › Updates.
Is there a command-line interface? No CLI for humans — but AI assistants can drive the app over the local MCP bridge (off by default; enable in Settings › AI Access › MCP). Auto-setup exists for Claude Code and Gemini CLI.
Can an AI assistant run tools for me?
Yes — that's what the MCP bridge is for: local-only (127.0.0.1, ephemeral port, bearer token in ~/.1filetool/), and every AI-run file still counts toward the daily limit.