How to Password-Protect a PDF (or Remove a Password) — Free & Private
Need to email a confidential PDF, or take a password off a file you own? The Protect & Unlock PDF tool does both right in your browser — your file and password never leave your device, so it’s private by design.
The tool
Protect & Unlock PDF
Step by step
- Open Protect & Unlock PDFGo to the tool in your browser — no install or sign-up needed.
- Choose Protect or UnlockProtect adds a password; Unlock removes one you already know.
- Upload your PDF and enter the passwordDrop in the PDF and type the password (twice, when protecting).
- Download the resultClick Protect or Unlock, then download your new PDF. The original is untouched.
How strong is the encryption?
Protected PDFs use AES-256 — the strong encryption standard supported by all modern PDF readers. Anyone who opens the file will be prompted for the password. Choose a strong password and share it through a separate channel from the file itself.
Is it really private, and what if I forget the password?
Yes — the tool runs a WebAssembly (qpdf) engine locally in your browser, so your PDF and password are never uploaded or stored. The flip side: because nothing is stored, a forgotten password cannot be recovered, and Unlock only works when you know the current password — it can’t bypass one you don’t have.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No — everything happens in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.
Can it remove a password I don’t know?
No. Unlock removes a password from a PDF you can already open; you must enter the current password. It is not a way to bypass protection on someone else’s file.
Does it cost anything?
No — it’s completely free with no sign-up, like all of Kitolity’s browser-based tools.