To unlock a PDF, drop it in and click Unlock PDF. This removes printing, copying, and editing restrictions from PDFs that open without a password. It can't crack a real password. Everything runs in your browser.
What does unlocking a PDF actually mean?
People say a PDF is locked in two different situations. In one, you need a password just to open it. In the other, anyone can open and read it, but printing, copying text, or editing is blocked. This tool handles only the second kind.
A file with an open password stays out of reach unless you know the password. That's how it should work, and no online tool can honestly promise otherwise.
How to unlock a PDF
- Click Select File, or drag a PDF that opens without a password into the drop zone.
- Click Unlock PDF and wait while each page is rebuilt.
- Click Download to save the new, unrestricted PDF.
How it works, and the trade-off
Your browser draws each page as an image and builds a brand new PDF from those images. The new file has no restrictions attached, because it was never encrypted in the first place.
The trade-off is that the new file is image-based. Text still looks right, but you can't select or search it, and the file size can go up or down. If the size is a problem, follow up with Compress PDF. If you need the text, run Extract Text from PDF on the original.
Only unlock files you may edit
Use this on files you own or have permission to change, such as a form you were given, a scan of your own document, or a report you wrote. Removing restrictions from someone else's protected or copyrighted document may break the terms it was shared under, or the law.
Frequently asked questions
Can this remove the password from a PDF?
Only restrictions on printing, copying, and editing. If a PDF asks for a password before it opens, this tool can't guess or bypass it.
Why can't I copy or print my PDF?
The author set permission restrictions on the file. Unlocking here builds a copy without those restrictions, as long as the original opens without a password.
Will the text stay selectable after unlocking?
No. The new PDF is made of page images, so text is visible but not selectable or searchable.
Why did the file size change so much?
Pages are rebuilt from images, so the size can grow or shrink. Use Compress PDF if it is larger than you want.
Is unlocking a PDF legal?
It depends on whose document it is. It's fine for your own files or when you have permission. Don't remove protection from documents you have no right to change.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The page images and the new PDF are created on your device, so the file never reaches a server.