What Focus Mode Actually Does
When Focus Mode is enabled on a share link, the viewer's page loads fully hidden. As they move their mouse — or drag a finger on a touch device — a small circle around the cursor reveals the sharp page underneath. Everywhere else stays covered. Move away, and the page hides again.
Why This Matters
Password protection and email verification are gates at the door — once someone's in, the whole page is on display to anyone standing behind them, in a co-working space, on a shared screen, or over their shoulder on a train. Focus Mode narrows what's visible at any instant to a small, deliberate window, so a glance — or a single photo — only ever catches a fragment of the page.
It Scales With Zoom
The spotlight radius adjusts automatically with the document's zoom level, so zooming out doesn't accidentally widen the effective reveal. What's visible stays proportional to the page, whether the viewer is at 50% or 250% zoom.
Thumbnails Are Covered Too
PdfWarden's page navigator shows a thumbnail grid of every page for quick jumping. With Focus Mode on, those thumbnails are blurred as well — so the grid stays useful for navigation without becoming a way to see every page at once in miniature.
An Honest Limitation
Focus Mode is a deterrent, not encryption. It raises the effort required to capture a full page — someone determined enough could still stitch together several screenshots as they move the cursor. It's most effective as one layer among several: pair it with a dynamic watermark so that even a partial leak traces back to the viewer who saw it.
Turning It On
Focus Mode is a per-link toggle, available on Pro and Business plans, right alongside password protection and watermark settings when you create or edit a share link. No changes to the PDF file itself are required.