FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Short answers to the most common questions about Paper. Don't see yours? Get in touch.
Models & data
Does Paper use RAG?
Yes. Paper is built on retrieval-augmented generation - the AI searches the passages from your own sources before answering, so every reply is grounded in something you actually uploaded (and citable back to a specific page or timestamp). See How it works for the full pipeline.
Which AI model does Paper use?
Grok (xAI) by default. You can switch to GPT (OpenAI) or Gemini (Google) from the chat settings menu. See How it works for the full breakdown of how each model is used.
Can I switch models?
Yes - the chat settings menu has a model picker. The setting is per-chat, so you can use different models on different pages.
Where is my data physically stored?
All Paper data is hosted on AWS. We don't replicate user data to any third-party analytics warehouse.
Is anything processed on my own machine?
No. Paper is a web app; everything runs on Paper's servers. There's no local model, no desktop app, nothing to install. Your browser sends prompts and uploads over HTTPS.
Does Paper train AI on my uploads?
No. Paper doesn't train any model on your content, and the third-party AI providers we call (OpenAI, xAI, Google) exclude API inputs from training by default. See Security for the full statement.
Using Paper
What file types can I upload?
PDFs, audio files (mp3, m4a, wav), video files (mp4, mov, webm), EPUB books, Word documents (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), and Markdown (.md). You can also paste web URLs and YouTube links as sources.
How large a PDF can I upload?
We've tested with 5,000+ page PDFs. Scanned PDFs run through OCR automatically for the first portion of the document, and we're working on extending the OCR coverage. Very large files compress automatically for fast in-browser viewing.
Can I use Paper offline?
No. Paper is a web app and all AI processing is cloud-based; you need an internet connection.
Is there a mobile app?
Not yet. The web app works on mobile browsers - reading, chatting, and reviewing flashcards all function. A native app is on the roadmap.
Can I import from Notion or Outline?
Yes. See Importing from Notion and Importing from Outline. Both bring page hierarchy and formatting across.
Account & data
How do I delete my account?
Open Settings → Account → Delete account. See Account settings for the full walkthrough, including the workspace-transfer step if you're a workspace owner.
What gets deleted when I delete my account?
Your pages, sources, chat history, flashcards, and any workspaces you owned exclusively. Workspaces you shared with others can be transferred to another member instead of deleted. Backups expire within 30 days.
Can I export my data first?
Yes. Notes export as Markdown from any page menu. Uploaded files (PDFs, audio, video) can be re-downloaded from the source view. There's no one-click full-account export yet; if you need that, email hello@paper.ac and we'll arrange it.