Remove a password from a PDF
Save an unlocked copy of a password-protected PDF so you don't have to type the password every time. You need to know the password: this tool does not guess or crack it.
Everything runs on your device. Nothing you add or type is sent to any server.
How to use it
- 01
Drop the protected PDF into the box above, or click it to choose the file.
- 02
The tool checks what kind of protection the file has. If it needs a password to open, type it in.
- 03
Press Unlock PDF. A copy without the password or restrictions downloads with -unlocked added to its name.
Only for files you are allowed to unlock
Use this tool for your own documents, or files whose owner has given you the password and permission to remove it. For example, a bank statement, salary slip, tax form or bill may arrive protected with your date of birth or customer ID. Once unlocked, it is easier to merge, compress, upload to a portal or open on another device.
If you don't know the password, this tool cannot help. It makes one attempt with the password you type and never tries other passwords. Ask the sender for the password instead.
Two kinds of protection
An open password stops the PDF from being viewed at all; you must type it here. Some PDFs open without a password but block printing, copying text or editing. Those limits are removed without a password, so you can print or copy from a file you already have the right to read. If the document belongs to someone else, check that removing the limits is allowed.
Private by design
Unlocking runs in your browser with qpdf compiled to WebAssembly. The PDF and the password stay on your device and are not uploaded or saved. The unlocked copy is not protected, so store it carefully, and delete it when you no longer need it.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tool unlock a PDF if I forgot the password?
No. It only removes a password that you type correctly. It does not guess, crack or bypass unknown passwords.
It says the password is wrong, but I'm sure it's right.
Passwords are case-sensitive, so check Caps Lock and use Show to see what you typed. Some senders use a mix, such as part of your name in capitals plus your birth date; check the email or message that came with the file for the format.
Does unlocking change the content?
No. Only the encryption is removed. Pages, text, images and links stay exactly as they were.
Which kinds of protection are supported?
Standard PDF passwords: AES-256, AES-128 and the older RC4 methods. Files protected with certificates or special document-rights software are not supported.