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PDF Tools · Updated October 19, 2026

Unlock PDF with Password

You can remove a password from a PDF you own by entering it once in your browser: the tool decrypts the document, rebuilds an unprotected copy and downloads it without uploading the file or password.

Runs in your browserFree · No sign-up · No watermark
PDFRuns in your browser
Loading the tool…

Everything runs locally in this tab. No file is uploaded while the tool loads.

This tool runs in your tab. Nothing is uploaded and no copy is stored.

How files are handled

At a glance

Formats
PDF → PDF
Processing
In your browser
Max size
Up to 50 MB · 100 pages
Price
Free, no account
Updated
October 19, 2026
All PDF Tools

About Unlock PDF

Password-protected PDFs are awkward by design: every open requires the password, and saving an unprotected copy is rarely allowed by free viewers. Removing that protection is legitimate when you own the file or have explicit permission — for example, archiving your own bank statements or preparing a contract you signed for internal use.

This tool asks for the password, decrypts the document in your browser with pdf.js, renders each page and rebuilds a new PDF that opens without a password. The password is never uploaded, logged or stored, and the original file is untouched. Because pages are rebuilt as images, text in the unlocked copy is no longer selectable — that trade-off is stated clearly in the workspace and below.

What this tool does

The details that matter when you use Unlock PDF for real work.

  • Password checked locally

    The password is used in the browser tab to decrypt the PDF and is never sent to a server or kept in storage.

  • Decrypts with your password

    pdf.js handles standard PDF encryption, including AES-encrypted files, when the password is correct.

  • Clear wrong-password feedback

    A rejected password produces a specific message and lets you retry immediately without re-adding the file.

  • Rebuilds a clean copy

    The output opens without a password prompt, which is convenient for your own archive or a device you control.

  • No cracking, ever

    The tool never guesses passwords, uses wordlists or attempts brute force — it only accepts a password you already know.

  • Original left untouched

    The protected source file is only read; the unlocked document is a separate download.

How to use Unlock PDF

No account, no installation — the whole job happens in this browser tab.
  1. 01

    Add your PDF

    Drop the protected file into the workspace. The tool checks locally whether it needs a password.

  2. 02

    Enter the password

    Type the password you use to open the PDF. It is checked inside the tab and never uploaded.

  3. 03

    Unlock the document

    Click Unlock PDF. The tool decrypts the file and renders each page into a new, unprotected PDF.

  4. 04

    Wait for the pages

    A progress bar tracks each page as it is rendered. Longer documents take a few seconds per page.

  5. 05

    Download the copy

    Save the unlocked PDF. Keep the original protected file if you may need selectable text later.

Supported formats and limits

Input
PDF
Output
PDF
Processing
Client-side, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Maximum size
Up to 50 MB · 100 pages
Requirements
Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari · The password for the PDF you own

Limitations worth knowing

  • Requires the correct password — there is no recovery, guessing or brute-force capability.
  • The unlocked copy is rasterized: text is not selectable or searchable, and links are lost.
  • If the PDF only restricts printing or copying, the rebuilt copy removes those restrictions; use it only on files you own.
  • Up to 100 pages and 50 MB per run, because every page is rendered.

Privacy and file handling

The PDF and the password are used only inside your browser tab. The password is never uploaded, logged or stored, and the unlocked document is rebuilt on your device. Nothing is saved after you close the page, and the original protected file is left untouched.

Read the full privacy policy

Unlock PDF FAQ

Short, direct answers to the questions people ask before using this tool.
What does unlocking a PDF actually do here?
It decrypts the document using the password you provide, then rebuilds a new PDF without encryption. It does not crack or bypass anything: the password has to be correct for the process to run at all.
What if I do not know the password?
Then this tool cannot help. It has no password recovery, no wordlists and no brute-force mode. If you own the file but forgot the password, look for the password in the source system or contact the document issuer before trying anything else.
Is it legal to remove a password from a PDF?
Only for documents you own or have explicit permission to unlock. Removing protection from someone else's document may break their rights or your agreement with them, and you are responsible for using the tool lawfully.
Does the unlocked copy keep selectable text?
No. The unlocked PDF is rebuilt from rendered page images, so text is no longer selectable or searchable and links are not preserved. Keep the original protected file if you need to copy text out of it later.
Why is the unlocked PDF larger than the original?
Each page is stored as a high-resolution image, which is less efficient than the original's compressed text and vector graphics. A file with lots of text often grows when rebuilt this way.
Is my password sent to a server?
No. The password is used inside your browser tab to decrypt the file with pdf.js and is never transmitted, logged or stored. Closing the tab discards it.
Can this tool guess or brute-force a password?
No. There is no cracking, dictionary attack or brute-force mode, and there never will be. The tool only accepts a password you already know and verifies it once.
What about PDFs that only restrict printing or copying?
If the file opens without a password, it is only owner-restricted. The tool can rebuild an unrestricted copy, but only do that for documents you have the right to modify and use that way.
How many pages can I unlock at once?
Up to 100 pages and 50 MB per run. Because every page is rendered and re-encoded, longer documents should be split first and processed in batches.

Background reading

Format guides that explain the trade-offs behind Unlock PDF.