About this tool
Bank statements, invoices or payslips often arrive as password-protected PDFs. That makes sense for sending, but it is annoying for filing, merging or processing: you have to enter the password each time you open them, and many tools cannot edit them at all. Some PDFs open without a password but forbid printing or copying.
This tool saves a copy without encryption: you need to know the password to open, while restrictions on printing, copying and editing are removed without a password. The decryption is done by qpdf as WebAssembly in your browser – the file and password are not uploaded.
How it works
- Choose the protected PDF. The tool shows whether it needs a password or only restricts permissions.
- If it needs a password, enter it. The owner password works too.
- Click “Unlock and download” – the copy is saved as …-unlocked.pdf.
Frequently asked questions
Can the tool crack an unknown password?
No. A PDF with a password to open is encrypted; without the password its content cannot be read. The tool does not try out passwords.
Why do restrictions not need a password?
If a PDF opens without a password, the key is effectively already in the file. The permissions (printing, copying, editing) are only hints to the PDF program, so they can be removed without the owner password.
Am I allowed to remove the protection?
For your own documents and ones you were given the password for, yes. For other people’s documents, copyright or agreements may forbid removing restrictions – that is your responsibility.
What can I do with the PDF afterwards?
Everything you can do with an unprotected PDF, e.g. merge it with Merge PDF, shrink it with Compress PDF or set a new password with Password-Protect PDF.