PDF passwords come in two varieties, and understanding which type you're dealing with determines which removal method works.
Two Types of PDF Passwords
Open password (user password) — Required to open and view the document. Without this password, the file appears as scrambled, unreadable data. This is true encryption.
Permissions password (owner password) — Does not prevent opening the file, but restricts operations: printing, copying text, editing, or annotating. Many PDF tools can remove this type of restriction without knowing the password, because the file content itself isn't encrypted — only the permission flags are set.
The methods below apply to removing passwords from PDFs you legally own. Attempting to decrypt PDFs you don't have rights to is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Method 1: Remove Password Online (Easiest)
For PDFs where you know the open password:
- Open PrivaTools Unlock PDF.
- Upload your password-protected PDF.
- Enter the correct password when prompted.
- Download the unlocked PDF — password-free, fully accessible.
This works for both open passwords (when you provide the correct one) and permissions passwords (restrictions are lifted). Your file is deleted immediately after download.
Method 2: Adobe Acrobat (Desktop)
If you have Acrobat Pro:
- Open the PDF in Acrobat. Enter the password if prompted.
- Go to Tools → Protect → Security → Remove Security.
- If prompted for the permissions password, enter it. Click OK.
- Save the file. The password is removed from the saved copy.
Acrobat also shows exactly which permissions are restricted and allows you to modify them individually.
Method 3: Print to PDF (Works for Open Passwords You Know)
A simple workaround available on any operating system:
- Open the PDF in any viewer (enter the password).
- Use File → Print and select "Save as PDF" (macOS) or "Microsoft Print to PDF" (Windows) as the printer.
- Save the new PDF. It will be a copy without the password.
Caveat: this re-renders the PDF as a new document. Complex layouts, hyperlinks, form fields, bookmarks, and exact font rendering may not be preserved. Use this only when you need the content, not the exact file structure.
What If You Forgot the Password?
If you've genuinely forgotten the password to a PDF you own, options are limited:
- Check if the original sender can resend an unlocked version.
- Check your password manager or saved passwords.
- For permissions-only passwords (no open password), online tools like PrivaTools can often remove the restrictions without needing the password, since the file content is technically accessible.
- True open-password encryption (AES-128/256) cannot be broken with any online tool. Forensic password recovery software exists but is slow and not guaranteed for strong passwords.
How to Check What Kind of Password a PDF Has
Try opening the PDF without a password:
- If it opens but printing/copying is greyed out → it has a permissions password only. You can remove restrictions without the password using Unlock PDF.
- If it won't open at all and demands a password → it has an open password. You must know the correct password to decrypt it.