Remove a password from a PDF you can open
Payslips, bank statements and bills often arrive locked with a password, and you have to type it every time you open them. If you know the password, you can save a copy that opens without it.
When unlocking makes sense
A password protects a document while it travels by email. Once it's safely on your own computer, it mostly gets in the way: you can't combine locked files, some systems won't accept them as uploads, and you need to remember each one.
Some PDFs open without a password but won't let you print or copy text. Opening them in Think Pages lifts those limits too. Think Pages doesn't guess or crack passwords: you need to be able to open the file.
Key benefits
- One stepType the password once and export a copy that opens freely.
- Printing and copying restoredFiles that block printing, copying or editing are unlocked automatically when opened.
- Works in every toolAny tool asks for the password when you add a locked PDF, so you can combine, sign or convert it straight away.
- Password stays with youThe password and the file stay in your browser. The password isn't kept after the file is opened.
How to remove a PDF password
- Open Unlock PDF and add the locked file.
- Type its password when asked.
- Press Export PDF. The saved copy opens without a password.
Tips
- Keep the unlocked copy somewhere private, since it no longer protects itself.
- To combine twelve locked payslips into one file, add them all to Combine PDFs and type each password as it's asked for.
- If you later need to send the document on, add a new password with Protect PDF.
Questions
Can I unlock a PDF if I've forgotten the password?
No. You need the password to open the file. Ask whoever sent it for the password, or for an unlocked copy.
Why won't my PDF let me print or copy text?
The person who made it switched those off. Open it in Unlock PDF and export a copy: the limits are removed.
Is it allowed to remove a password?
Removing a password from your own documents for your own use is normal. Don't unlock documents you aren't entitled to share or change.
Tools for this job
More guides
- Privacy and securityWhy use PDF tools that don't upload your filesMost online PDF tools upload your documents to their servers. Learn why browser-based PDF tools are safer for contracts, payslips, medical letters and ID, and how to check.
- Privacy and securityPassword-protect a PDF before you send itAdd a password to a PDF with AES-256 encryption before sending payslips, contracts or medical documents by email. Free, private and done in your browser.
- Privacy and securityRedact a PDF properly, so hidden text is really goneDrawing a black box over text often leaves the words underneath. Learn how to redact a PDF so names, numbers and addresses are removed for good. Free, private and done in your browser, with no upload.