Protect PDF
Add a password to a PDF with strong AES-256 encryption.
Unlock a PDF
Remove the open password or usage restrictions from a PDF you're allowed to access, and save an unencrypted copy.
Your PDF has been unlocked
The download link expires in 30 minutes. After that the file is deleted automatically.
Done — your file has been deleted from our servers.
Processed on your device: your file never left your computer or phone.
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Next time, do it in one click
With the Chrome extension, open the PDF or image you’re viewing straight in a PDFacile tool, without downloading or re-uploading it.
Continue with this file
Send the result straight to another tool, without downloading it.
Continue with another tool
- Secure processing
- Files deleted automatically
- No sign-up needed
Tip: with our Chrome extension, just right-click a PDF to open it here. Get it free
How to unlock a PDF
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Step 1: Select or drop the protected PDF.
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Step 2: Enter its password, or leave the field empty if it opens without one.
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Step 3: Click Unlock PDF.
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Step 4: Download the unencrypted copy.
Stop typing the same password
Bank statements and other documents often arrive password-protected. Once they're stored safely on your own device, an unlocked copy is easier to open, archive, merge or convert.
Some PDFs open freely but block printing, copying or editing. Unlocking removes those restrictions too.
How does unlocking a PDF work?
Using qpdf, we decrypt the document with the password you provide and write a new copy without any encryption. For files that only have permission restrictions, no password is needed.
This is not a password cracker: if the password is wrong or unknown, the file stays locked and you'll see an error.
Frequently asked questions
Can you unlock a PDF if I don't know the password?
No. We don't crack or guess passwords. If the file needs a password to open, you must enter the correct one.
The PDF opens fine but I can't print or edit it. What should I do?
Leave the password field empty. Files with only permission restrictions can be unlocked without a password.
Is it legal to unlock a PDF?
Only unlock documents that you own or are authorized to unlock. You are responsible for respecting the rights of the document owner.
Is the password or file saved?
The password is used only for decryption and is never stored. The protected upload is deleted immediately, and the unlocked copy is erased when its 30-minute link expires.
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