Unlock a PDF
Remove the password and restrictions from a PDF you own, using its password. No password cracking.
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Bank statements, e-tickets and payslips often arrive password-protected, which is a nuisance every time you open, merge or upload them. If you know the password, this tool saves an unlocked copy that opens without one. PDFs that open freely but block printing, copying or editing can usually be unlocked without typing anything.
Use it only on files you own or have the right to change. It does not guess, crack or bypass unknown passwords; with a wrong password it simply says so.
Decryption uses qpdf, the open-source PDF tool, compiled to WebAssembly and run in your browser, so a confidential document is never uploaded to be unlocked.
How to use it
- Choose the protected PDF.
- Type its password (leave it empty if the file opens without one but is restricted).
- Click Unlock PDF.
- Download the unlocked copy.
Frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded?
No. The first time you use the tool your browser downloads the processing engine from this site, like any other part of the page; your PDF itself is read and processed on your device and never sent anywhere.
Can it open a PDF if I do not know the password?
No. It removes protection only with the correct password, or restrictions that do not require one. It does not crack passwords.
Is this legal?
Removing protection from your own files, or files you are authorised to change, is normal. Do not use it to get around protection on documents you have no right to modify.
The password is right but it says it is wrong
Check capital letters, the keyboard language and spaces at the end. Some banks use a date of birth or ID number in a specific format; check the email that came with the file.
What can I do with the unlocked file?
Anything our other tools offer: merge it, compress it, split it, or convert it. Store it carefully, as it is no longer protected.
Related tools
- Password-protect a PDFAdd an AES-256 password to a PDF and choose whether readers may print, copy or edit it.
- Merge PDF filesCombine several PDFs into one file in the order you choose. Runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
- Compress a PDF to a smaller file sizeShrink scanned PDFs to a target size (such as 200 KB) or by level, on your device. The result is image-based.
- Repair a damaged PDFRebuild a damaged PDF's structure with qpdf and pdf-lib, and see a report of what was fixed.
- Split a PDF into separate filesSplit a PDF by page ranges such as "1-3, 5, 8-", every N pages, or one file per page, and download them individually or as a ZIP.