Only with the correct password
This tool removes protection you already have access to. You type the password, the PDF engine in your browser tries exactly that password once, and if it is right, it writes a copy without encryption. It does not guess, try lists of common passwords or attack the encryption in any way. If the password is wrong, you see a message and can type it again, nothing more.
Either password of a protected PDF works: the password to open it, or the permissions password that its author set to control printing and editing. According to the qpdf manual, both unlock the encryption key. Forgot the password of your own file? Look for the original you protected, or ask the person who sent it for a copy without a password. Use this tool on documents that are yours or that you are allowed to change.
PDFs that open but will not print or copy
Some PDFs open without a password but block printing, copying text or editing. They are encrypted with a permissions password only, and the password to open is empty, so any reader can display them. The restrictions are flags the reader is asked to respect. The qpdf manual notes that they are enforced only by the reader software, and that qpdf itself does not obey them.
For such a file, the tool lists what is restricted and saves a copy without encryption and without the restrictions. Because that skips the permissions password, it asks you to confirm first that the document is yours or that you have permission. Typical cases are your own files exported with restrictions you no longer need, or a document whose owner allows you to print or edit it. The qpdf command line manual says its decrypt option is not intended for bypassing copyright restrictions, and neither is this tool.
What the unlocked copy contains
The work is done by qpdf, which its overview describes as a program for structural, content-preserving transformations on PDF files. The copy keeps the pages, text and form fields of the original and only loses the encryption. Your original file stays as it is. Anyone who gets the copy can open it, so store and send it with care.
Encrypted PDFs cannot be opened by most of the other PDF tools on this site, so unlocking is often the first step. After that, combine the file with Merge PDF, shrink it with Compress PDF or pull out the text with PDF to Text. When you are done, put a new password on it with Protect PDF.
How to unlock a PDF
- 1Drop the PDF on the box. The tool checks whether it needs a password or only has restrictions.
- 2Type the password you know and press Unlock PDF to decrypt it. For a file with restrictions only, confirm that it is yours and press Remove restrictions.
- 3Download the unlocked copy. It opens without a password and has no print or copy restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
Can it unlock a PDF if I forgot the password?
No. Unlock PDF only works with the correct password. It tries exactly the password you type, once, and does not guess, crack or brute-force passwords. If you forgot the password of your own file, look for the original you protected, or ask the sender for a copy without a password.
Is my PDF or my password uploaded?
No. Your browser opens the PDF with qpdf, an open-source PDF library compiled to WebAssembly, and writes the unlocked copy on your device. The engine file is downloaded from this site the first time. Your PDF and your password are never sent anywhere, not stored and not put into the page address.
Which password do I need?
Either one works: the password to open the file or its permissions password (the owner password). The qpdf manual explains that both unlock the encryption key.
Why can it remove restrictions without a password?
A PDF that opens without a password is encrypted with an empty password to open, so the content is readable by any reader. Its restrictions on printing, copying or editing are flags the reader is asked to respect, and the qpdf manual notes they are enforced only by the reader software. That is why the tool asks you to confirm that the document is yours or that you have permission before it removes them.
Is it legal to remove a PDF password?
That depends on the document and where you are, and this page is not legal advice. Use it for your own documents, and for files whose owner gave you the password or allowed you to print, copy or change them.
It says the password is wrong, but I am sure it is right.
Check Caps Lock, the keyboard language and spaces at the start or end, then use Show password to see what you typed.