Unlock PDF

Remove password protection from a PDF you own so you can edit, print, copy or share it freely. If the file needs a password, provide it — we use it once and don't store anything.

Files are encrypted at rest, kept in your history for 24 hours on Free (30 days on Pro), then deleted automatically.

How Unlock PDF works

  1. 1

    Upload the PDF

    Drop the protected file.

  2. 2

    Enter the password

    Only needed if the file requires one to open.

  3. 3

    Download the unlocked PDF

    You get an identical PDF with no password and no restrictions.

Features of the Unlock PDF tool

Owner and user passwords

Removes both open passwords and permission passwords.

Preserves the content

Pages, fonts, images and metadata come out unchanged.

Private

Your password is used in memory during the request only — we never store the password itself.

Instant

Most PDFs are unlocked in a couple of seconds.

When to use Unlock PDF

Remove your own password

Strip a password you set months ago and can no longer be bothered to type.

Print a locked statement

Enable printing on a bank statement you legitimately need to file.

Edit a form you own

Unlock a PDF you created so you can update fields and re-share it.

Copy text for citation

Enable text selection on a document you own for legitimate quoting.

Why choose Unlock PDF

Private by design

Files uploaded to Unlock PDF are transferred over HTTPS, encrypted at rest and auto-deleted after 24 hours on Free (30 days on Pro). We never sell or share your documents.

Fast, no install

Unlock PDF runs entirely from your browser — nothing to download, no plugin, no account required for a first try. Most jobs finish in a few seconds.

Works everywhere

Use Unlock PDF on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, iPad or Android. Any recent Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge browser is enough.

Unlock PDF — Frequently asked questions

Do I need the password?

Only if the file requires a password to open. Permission-only locks are removed without one.

Is this legal?

Only unlock PDFs you own or are authorised to modify. Don't use this on files you shouldn't have access to.

Do you store the password?

No. It's used once in memory during processing and discarded.

What if my password is wrong?

The unlock will fail with an unreadable-PDF error. Try again with the correct password.

Is Unlock PDF free to use?

Yes. The Free plan lets you run Unlock PDF twice a day on files up to 10 MB, no card required. Pro removes the daily limit and raises the size cap to 50 MB.

Does Unlock PDF work on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android?

Yes. Unlock PDF runs in any modern browser, so it works the same on macOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS and Android — no app to install.

What's the maximum file size?

10 MB per file on the Free plan, 50 MB on Pro and 200 MB on Business. Larger files should be compressed first with the Compress PDF tool.

Related PDF tools