Methodology
DropMachine reduces files locally, keeps the result only when it is smaller, and preserves a recoverable original while backups are retained. The app favors a short, practical workflow over advanced editing controls.
DropMachine is designed for files that are already part of a real task: an email attachment, portal upload, claim, report, signed form, image export, or archive. The product goal is to make that file easier to move.
The core reduction workflow runs on the Mac. Supported formats are PDFs and common images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, HEIF, TIFF, and TIF.
DropMachine replaces the original only when the reduced output is actually smaller. If a file is already optimized or cannot be reduced usefully, the app avoids swapping in a larger result.
When replacement happens, DropMachine keeps a recoverable original while backups are retained. Backup retention is finite, so important source files still need a durable archive outside the app.
Scanned PDFs, OCR documents, screenshots, photos, and image-heavy files usually have more room to shrink. Text-only PDFs and files that have already been optimized may shrink little or not at all.
Limits
Use a tool with manual compression settings if you must hit a precise size target.
Use a full PDF editor. DropMachine focuses on size reduction.
Keep your own archive. DropMachine backups are recoverable while retained, not a permanent records system.
Method first
DropMachine is intentionally narrow: local input, smaller output, recoverable original.
