Unlock PDF
Remove password protection from a PDF
Click to upload protected PDF
The PDF password is required to unlock it
Note: This tool only removes password protection from PDFs you have the legal right to unlock. It works by re-saving the PDF without encryption after successful decryption.
About Unlock PDF
Unlock PDF is a free online tool that removes password protection from PDF documents. Upload a password-protected PDF, enter the password to confirm you are authorised, and the tool produces an unlocked PDF that can be freely opened, edited, printed, and copied without requiring the password each time.
PDF password protection comes in two forms. An "open password" (also called a document password or user password) is required to open and view the PDF at all. A "permissions password" (also called an owner password or master password) restricts what an authorised user can do with the document — printing, copying text, editing, adding annotations. Unlock PDF can remove both types of restrictions.
Common legitimate use cases for unlocking a PDF you own include: removing the password from a PDF you created and no longer need to restrict, unlocking a PDF you received where you know the password but want a permanently open version for archiving, removing permissions restrictions from your own documents to enable editing or copying, and unlocking a PDF that prompts for a password every time it is opened in a document management system.
This tool is intended for documents you own or have explicit authorisation to modify. PDF encryption exists to protect document owners' rights. Removing password protection from PDFs without authorisation is a violation of those rights and may be illegal under copyright law in many jurisdictions. The tool requires the password to proceed — it does not attempt to crack or brute-force protection.
How to Use Unlock PDF
- 1Upload your password-protected PDF file
- 2Enter the PDF password in the provided field
- 3Click "Unlock PDF" to remove the password protection
- 4Download the unlocked, unrestricted PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This tool requires you to enter the correct password to confirm you are authorised to remove the protection. It does not crack or bypass passwords.
An open password prevents the PDF from being opened without entering the password. A permissions password allows the PDF to be opened but restricts operations like printing, copying, or editing. Both can be removed once you enter the correct password.
It is legal to unlock a PDF you own or have authorisation to modify. Removing protection from copyrighted documents to circumvent usage restrictions without authorisation may violate copyright law and digital rights management (DRM) regulations.
If you need to archive a PDF in a document management system that cannot handle password-protected files, edit its contents, merge it with other PDFs using tools that do not support locked files, or simply avoid entering the password every time you open it.
You might also like
Try next