Unlock a password-protected PDF
If you know the password to a PDF and are tired of typing it, this tool saves a copy that opens freely. It does not guess or crack passwords. You must provide the correct one.
How to unlock PDF in 3 steps
- Choose the protected PDF.
- Enter its password.
- Press Unlock PDF and download the copy.
How the unlocked copy is made
A PDF that needs a password to open is encrypted. The unlocked copy is rebuilt from page images drawn after you supply the password, so it opens freely but its text is no longer selectable or searchable. A PDF that opens without a password but has editing restrictions is simply re-saved with the text kept.
Use it on files you are entitled to open
Only remove protection from documents you own or have permission to unlock. This tool cannot open a file without its password.
Private by design
Unlock PDF runs as code inside your browser tab. The file you choose is read from your device and the result is built on your device, so it is not sent to our servers or anyone else's. You can confirm this by watching the Network tab in your browser's developer tools while you use the tool.
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover a forgotten password?
No. Without the password the contents cannot be read.
Why is my unlocked PDF larger?
Rebuilding from images can increase size. Run it through Compress PDF if needed.