Tools

Unlock PDF

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Remove a PDF’s password and limits and save an unlocked copy, on your device.

or paste with CtrlV PDF

Your files never leave your device

About this tool

Unlock a PDF: take off its password and its limits

This tool saves an unlocked copy of a PDF: no password to open it, and no limits on printing, copying or editing. It works in your browser, so the file stays on your device. A PDF that asks for a password needs it typed once; limits come off without one.

What unlocking takes off

A PDF can be protected in two ways. An open password stops anyone without it from reading the file at all. Limits, set by whoever made the file, let it open freely but forbid printing, copying text or changing pages. People call both “locked”, and both come off here.

You get a copy named after the original, like report-unlocked.pdf. The pages, text, links, bookmarks and form fields are kept as they were, and nothing is drawn again, so the copy looks and prints the same.

When a PDF asks for a password

A PDF with an open password can’t be unlocked without it. Add the file and a password field appears on it; type the password and press Open. A wrong password says so and keeps the field ready for the next try.

The password is checked on your device and kept only in this tab’s memory, for that file. It is not sent anywhere, not saved, and gone when you close the tab. Nothing on this page can find or guess a forgotten password: for that, ask whoever made the file.

Limits come off without a password

A PDF that opens fine but won’t let you print, copy or edit has only limits. Those come off with no password at all: add the file and press Unlock.

Split PDF, Rotate PDF and Merge PDF respect those limits and stop on such a file. Unlock it here first, then use them on the copy.

Only unlock what you may open

Unlock files that are yours, or that you’ve been given the right to open and change.

Unlocking rewrites the file, so a digital signature on it stops checking out afterwards, as after any change to a signed PDF.

How it works

  1. Add your PDFs

    Drop them in or choose them from your device. A PDF that needs a password shows a field.

  2. Type the password if asked

    Only a PDF with an open password needs it. Limits come off without one.

  3. Press Unlock, then save

    You get an unlocked copy of each PDF. Save one file, or all of them as a .zip.

Questions, answered

Can I unlock a PDF if I don’t know its password?

Only if the PDF has limits and no open password. Then it opens without a password and unlocks here. A PDF that asks for a password to open can’t be unlocked without it, and nothing here can guess one.

What is the difference between a password and a restriction?

A password to open keeps the file closed to anyone without it. A restriction lets the file open for everyone but forbids printing, copying or editing. Unlock removes both, though the first needs its password.

Which kinds of PDF protection can it open?

The common ones: 40-bit and 128-bit RC4, and AES with 128-bit or 256-bit keys. A PDF protected with a certificate or a custom plug-in can’t be opened, and says so.

Does unlocking change how the PDF looks?

No. The pages, text, images, links and bookmarks are kept as they were. Only the protection is gone, and a digital signature stops verifying, as after any change.

Is my PDF or its password sent anywhere?

No. The PDF is opened and saved by an engine running in your browser. A password you type stays in this tab’s memory, for that file only, and is never stored or sent.

Why does a PDF I unlocked still show “secured” in some apps?

Some apps keep showing the label until the file is opened again. The copy this tool saves has no password and no limits, so reopen it, or check its properties.

Everything happens on your device, so your files never leave your computer or phone.

A PDF that asks for a password needs it typed on its file first. Limits on printing, copying or changing come off without one.

Saves a copy without the password or the limits.Password and limits off

Password and limits off
Unlock PDF settings

What unlocking does

You get a copy of each PDF with its password and the owner’s limits on printing, copying and changing taken off. Pages, text, links and bookmarks stay exactly as they are.

A PDF that asks for a password to open needs it: type it on the file in the list. It is checked on this device and never sent or saved. Nothing here can find a forgotten password.

Only unlock files that are yours or that you’re allowed to open.

Add PDFs to unlock them