When removing a password helps
A password-protected PDF from a client or employer asks for the password every time you open it. For documents you look at often or keep on your own device, removing the password is more convenient.
- Pay slips and tax documents where typing the password each time is a hassle
- Editing a protected PDF with tools like merge, compress or delete pages
- Removing a password you set yourself
- Using your permissions password to lift printing or copying restrictions
Two kinds of PDF password
A password to open the PDF
The password you’re asked for when opening the PDF. Enter it, and the tool creates a PDF that opens without a password.
A permissions password for editing and printing
Set on PDFs that open normally but restrict printing, copying or editing. Enter it, and the tool creates a PDF without those restrictions.
It can’t unlock a PDF without the password
The tool only unlocks a PDF when you enter the correct password. It has no feature to guess or brute-force passwords. If you don’t know the password, ask the person who sent or created the PDF.
If you unlock a PDF someone else created, make sure you respect their intentions and any usage rules.
Supported encryption
AES-256 and AES-128, used in current PDFs, are supported, as is the RC4 encryption found in older PDFs. The unlocked PDF keeps its quality and text, and text can still be selected and searched.
Take care with unlocked PDFs
Once the password is removed, anyone can open the PDF. If it contains personal or confidential information, be careful where you store and share it. To add a password again, use Password-Protect PDF.
Neither your file nor your password is sent anywhere
Your PDF and the password you enter are never sent to a server. Unlocking happens entirely inside your browser.
Tools to use after unlocking
Once unlocked, the PDF can be edited with our other tools.