How to Remove a Password from a PDF
You have a password-protected PDF and you know the password — now you want a copy that just opens. Here are four free methods that take under a minute.
Method 1: Online tool (fastest, any device)
Go to quicktoolshub.org/unlock-pdf. Drop the PDF in, enter the password, click Unlock PDF, and download the unlocked copy. Runs in your browser — no upload, no install. Works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
Method 2: Google Chrome (no install)
- Drag the PDF file into a Chrome browser window (or right-click > Open With > Google Chrome)
- Chrome will prompt for the password — enter it
- Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open the print dialog
- Change the destination to “Save as PDF”
- Click Save — the new PDF has no password
Method 3: Mac Preview
- Open the PDF in Preview and enter the password when prompted
- Go to File > Export as PDF
- In the export dialog, leave the Security Options empty (no password)
- Save — the new file is unprotected
Method 4: Adobe Acrobat Reader (free version)
Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader and enter the password. Go to File > Print. Choose “Microsoft Print to PDF” (Windows) or “Save as PDF” (Mac) as the printer. Print to a new file — the output will be unencrypted.
Note: the free version of Acrobat Reader may not let you use File > Save As to remove the password directly. The print-to-PDF workaround bypasses this restriction.
Important: you must know the password
All of these methods require the correct password. They decrypt the content and re-save it without the encryption wrapper. If you do not know the password, none of these methods will work — the encryption is designed to prevent exactly that.
Remove a PDF password now
Upload the PDF, enter the current password, download the unlocked copy. No upload to server.
Use Unlock PDF →Frequently asked questions
How do I remove a password from a PDF for free?
Use the free Unlock PDF tool at quicktoolshub.org/unlock-pdf. Upload the PDF, enter the current password, and download an unlocked copy. This requires knowing the correct password — it decrypts the file and removes the protection. The process runs in your browser with no server upload.
How do I remove a PDF password using Chrome?
Open the password-protected PDF in Chrome (drag it into a Chrome window or open with Chrome). Enter the password when prompted. Then go to File > Print (or Ctrl+P / Cmd+P). In the print dialog, change the destination to 'Save as PDF'. Click Save. The new PDF file will have no password.
Can I remove a PDF password on a Mac without Acrobat?
Yes. Open the PDF in Preview and enter the password. Go to File > Export as PDF. Save the file without enabling any password options. The exported file will be unprotected. Alternatively, print to PDF using Cmd+P > PDF dropdown > Save as PDF.
Can I remove a PDF password without knowing it?
Not through normal means. PDF encryption protects the content using cryptographic keys derived from the password. Without the correct password, you cannot decrypt the content. Password recovery tools exist but work by trying millions of guesses (brute force) and only succeed on weak passwords. For strong passwords, recovery is not practical.
What is the difference between removing a password and unlocking a PDF?
They typically mean the same thing. 'Removing the password' means decrypting the PDF so it opens without requiring a password. 'Unlocking' can also refer to removing edit restrictions (owner password) that prevent printing, copying, or editing — even if the PDF opens without a password. The Unlock PDF tool handles the open-password (encryption) case.
Is it legal to remove a password from a PDF?
Yes, if you own the document or have permission to modify it. Removing a password from your own document, or from one you received with the password, is a normal operation. It is not legal to use password removal to circumvent protections on documents you do not have rights to access or copy.