Typing a password every time you open your own bank statement or tax form gets old fast. If you know the password, you can save a copy of the PDF without it. (If you don't know the password, these methods won't help, and you'll need to ask whoever sent the file.)
Two kinds of PDF passwords
- An open password (also called a user password) is needed to view the file at all.
- A permissions password (owner password) lets anyone open the file but blocks printing, copying or editing.
Unlocking removes both, so the new copy opens freely and has no restrictions.
Method 1: Unlock with PDFJig
- Open PDFJig's Unlock PDF tool and choose the protected file.
- Enter the password. If the file opens without one but blocks printing or copying, leave the field empty.
- Click Unlock and download the unlocked copy.
The decryption happens in your browser, so neither the file nor the password is uploaded.
Method 2: Print to PDF from Chrome
- Drag the PDF into a Chrome window and enter the password.
- Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on a Mac).
- Set Destination to Save as PDF and click Save.
The saved copy has no password. This won't work if the file's permissions block printing, and links and form fields may not survive.
Method 3: Adobe Acrobat Pro
In Acrobat Pro, open the file, go to the Protect or Encrypt tools, and choose Remove Security. Acrobat Pro is paid; the free Acrobat Reader can't remove passwords.
Before you unlock
- Only remove protection from files you own or are allowed to change.
- Keep the unlocked copy somewhere private, since anyone with the file can now open it.
- To send it securely again later, you can add a new password with a PDF protector.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a PDF password without knowing it?
No. Legitimate tools need the password to decrypt the file. If you've lost it, contact the person or organization that created the PDF.
Will removing the password change my PDF?
No. The content stays exactly the same; only the encryption and restrictions are removed.
How do I add a password back?
Use a tool like PDFJig's Protect PDF, which encrypts the file with AES-256 and lets you choose whether people can print or copy.