Remove a PDF password for free

How it works

1. 1

   Upload the locked PDF.

2. 2

   Type the PDF's current password.

3. 3

   Unlock it on the server.

4. 4

   Download the password-free copy.

About the Unlock PDF

Bank statements, payslips and utility bills often arrive locked with a password, usually a date of birth or account number, which you then have to type every time you open them. If you know that password, this tool removes the encryption once, so the file opens directly and can be merged, printed or archived. Decryption is done on our server with qpdf.

What you can do

• Remove the open password from a PDF when you enter it correctly.
• Lift the copy, print and edit restrictions that come with the encryption.
• Rename the unlocked copy before downloading it.
• Get back a standard PDF that opens in any viewer without a prompt.

When it works best

• Saving password-free copies of your own statements for bookkeeping or tax records.
• Preparing protected files so they can be merged, compressed or edited with the other PDF tools.
• Opening a document on a device or app that cannot handle encrypted PDFs.
• Sending a statement to an accountant who should not need your personal password to open it.

Things to know

• You need the current password. This tool does not guess or crack passwords, and a wrong one is simply rejected.
• Only unlock files you own or have permission to change.
• The upload limit is 25 MB. The file and password are used only for the decryption; the unlocked copy is kept on the server for your download and swept away automatically within about 30 minutes.
• To lock the file again with a password of your own, use Protect PDF.
• An owner password that only restricts printing or copying is handled the same way: enter it and the restrictions are removed.

Frequently asked questions