Unlock PDF
Unlock a PDF whose password you know, or remove its printing, copying and editing restrictions. Free and private.
Add your PDF
Drag it here or choose it on your device. One PDF at a time.
Powered by qpdf, open-source software (Apache License 2.0). License notices
Your files stay on your deviceThey are processed in your browser. We never upload or store them.
How it works
- Add the protected PDF: drag it onto the page or choose it on your device.
- If it asks for the password, type it. If the PDF opens without a password but has restrictions, you do not have to type anything.
- Press "Remove protection" and download the unlocked PDF. Everything happens in your browser.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I unlock a PDF if I do not know the password?
No. This tool does not guess or crack passwords: you need to know the PDF's password. Without it, the only thing that can be removed is the usage restrictions (print, copy, edit) of a PDF that already opens without a password. If you have forgotten it, ask whoever sent it to you for a copy.
Which PDFs can I use it with?
Only files you have the rights to, such as your own documents or ones you are authorized to modify. This site's terms of use require it: the tool is not meant to get around the protection of other people's documents.
Is it free? Are my PDF or my password uploaded to a server?
It is free and needs no account. And nothing is uploaded: the protection is removed in your browser, on your own device, so we never receive or store your document or your password.
What is the difference between the password and the restrictions?
The open password is asked for to open the PDF. The restrictions (print, copy, edit) are permissions the author sets with an owner password: a PDF with restrictions can open without a password. This tool removes both.
What kinds of protection can it remove?
Standard PDF passwords, with 256-bit or 128-bit AES encryption or the older RC4 encryption. It does not support PDFs protected with a digital certificate or a rights management system (DRM).
Does it change the content of the PDF?
No. Only the protection is removed and the content of the pages is kept without being compressed again. If the PDF had a digital signature, it will no longer be valid, because the file changes.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. It works in any current browser, on a computer, phone or tablet. Very large PDFs can be slow or fail if the browser runs out of memory, especially on a phone.