Unlock a protected PDF
Remove the password from a PDF whose password you know, so you don't have to type it again. The tool doesn't guess or bypass any password.
- Free
- No sign-up
- No file uploaded
- Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone
Your files stay on your device: nothing is uploaded.
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About this tool
Banks and employers often send PDFs protected by a password (date of birth, customer number). If you know it, remove it once and for all: the PDF will then open directly.
When to use it
Archive bank statements
Save your statements without a password in your personal folder.
Merge or compress a protected PDF
The other PDF tools need a password-free file: unlock it first.
Print more easily
Some printers and apps refuse encrypted PDFs.
How to use
- Choose the protected PDF.
- Type its password.
- Click “Unlock the PDF” and download the password-free version.
How it works
The PDF is decrypted by qpdf, an open-source tool compiled for the browser (about 430 KB, loaded only when you start unlocking), using the password you type. If the password is wrong, decryption fails and nothing is produced.
The resulting file is the same document without encryption: text, images and layout don't change.
Tips for best results
- Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Passwords from banks are often given in the email or letter that comes with the PDF.
- Keep the unlocked PDF somewhere safe: it's no longer protected.
- To add a password back, use “Protect PDF”.
Common problems and fixes
“Wrong password”
Check capital letters, spaces and your keyboard layout, then try again.
“This PDF isn't password-protected”
The PDF already opens without a password: you can use it directly.
The file isn't recognized
Make sure it's really a PDF and isn't damaged.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open a PDF whose password I've lost?
No. The tool only works with the correct password: it doesn't guess it or bypass the protection.
Why remove the password?
To archive a statement or invoice without typing the password each time, or to process it with other tools (merge, compress).
Is my password sent anywhere?
No. Decryption happens in your browser with qpdf; neither the file nor the password leaves your device.
What about a PDF that opens without a password?
If it doesn't ask for a password when opening, there's nothing to unlock: the tool tells you so.
Related searches
Still stuck?
Ask on the forum: the category, the tool, your device sheet and the test result will be filled in for you.