Protect / Unlock PDF — free, private how-to guide
Add or remove a PDF password entirely in your browser. Encrypt a document so it can only be opened with a password, or remove a password from a PDF you can already open. Nothing is uploaded — the file and password stay on your device.
Updated
Step by step
Select your PDF
Drop or pick a PDF. It is processed locally — never uploaded.
Choose add or remove
Add a new password, or enter the existing one to remove it.
Download
Save the protected or unlocked PDF.
Open Protect / Unlock PDFCommon use cases
- Protect a confidential contract before sending it
- Remove a password you no longer need
- Encrypt a document with sensitive personal data
Frequently asked questions
Is my password sent anywhere?
No. Encryption and decryption happen entirely in your browser — neither the file nor the password leaves your device.
What encryption is used?
Standard PDF encryption. The same password is set as both the user and owner password.
I forgot the password — can you recover it?
No. This tool can only remove a password you already know. It cannot crack or recover a lost password.