PDFConvertersOnline.comHow to remove a password from a PDF
- Choose the locked PDF or drop it into the blue box.
- If the file asks for a password, type it in. Files with only printing or copying limits are unlocked right away.
- Download the unlocked copy. It opens without a password from now on.
Stop typing the same password every time
Banks, payroll services, insurance companies and phone carriers often send statements as password-protected PDFs. That is sensible while the file travels by email, but once it is safely stored on your own computer, typing the password on every open gets old. Many other tools also refuse to work with locked files. This page saves a copy of your document without the password, so you can open it, print it, combine it with other PDFs or pull out its text without any prompts.
This tool removes a password you already know. It does not guess, crack or bypass unknown passwords. If you don't have the password, ask the person or company that sent you the file.
Two kinds of locks, handled differently
- Open password (user password). The PDF won't show anything until you enter it. You type it here once, we check that it works, and the saved copy no longer needs it. If it's wrong, you'll see a message and can try again.
- Permission limits only (owner password). Some PDFs open freely but won't let you print, copy text or fill in fields. These can be unlocked without asking you for anything, because the file can already be read. The new copy has no limits.
If a file has neither, the tool tells you there is nothing to remove, rather than creating a pointless copy.
What changes in the unlocked copy
Only the encryption is removed. Pages, text, images, fonts, links, bookmarks and form fields stay exactly as they were, and nothing is re-compressed. The file size may shift slightly because encrypted data is stored a little differently, but the content is identical.
Your password stays private
Typing a bank password into a website should make anyone nervous. Here the decryption code runs entirely in your browser tab, so the PDF and the password never leave your device. The page keeps working even if you disconnect from the internet after it loads, which is an easy way to check for yourself.
Keep sensitive files protected
An unlocked statement is readable by anyone who gets hold of the file. If you plan to share it again, consider removing account numbers first with Redact PDF, and add a fresh password with Protect PDF before you send it on.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tool open a PDF if I forgot the password?
No. It only removes a password you can type in. Modern PDF encryption is designed so the password can't be recovered, and we don't try to crack it. Contact whoever created the file for the password or an unprotected copy.
Why does my PDF open fine but still won't let me print or copy?
It has permission limits set with an owner password. Drop it here and the limits are removed straight away, without asking for a password.
Is it legal to remove a PDF password?
Removing a password from your own documents, or from files you were given the password for, is normal. Don't use it to get around restrictions on documents you aren't allowed to change or share.
Is my password uploaded?
No. The file is decrypted inside your browser, and neither the PDF nor the password is sent to any server.
My password is correct but it says it's wrong. What now?
Passwords are case-sensitive, so check Caps Lock, and watch for a space at the start or end if you pasted it. Statements often use a date of birth or part of an account number; the sender's email usually explains the format.