How do I remove a password from a PDF?

Upload your password-protected PDF. If it requires a password to open, enter it in the field provided. Our tool removes the protection and your unlocked PDF is ready to download in seconds.

Do I need to know the PDF password to unlock it?

If the PDF requires a password to open (user password), you must enter the correct password. If the PDF is only restricted from editing or printing (owner password), it may be possible to unlock it without a password.

Can I re-protect the PDF after unlocking?

Yes. Once you have the unlocked PDF, use our Protect PDF tool to add a new password. You can set a different password or share the unlocked version directly.

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Unlock PDF — Remove Editing & Printing Restrictions

Remove editing and printing restrictions from a PDF in seconds. Upload your PDF and download the unrestricted version instantly.

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Simple Process

How to Unlock a PDF

Upload Your PDF

Drag and drop your protected PDF into the box above, or click to browse. Any protected PDF up to 100MB is accepted.

We Remove the Restrictions

Our tool automatically strips editing and printing restrictions from your PDF. No password required — just upload and we handle the rest.

Download Unlocked PDF

Your unlocked PDF is ready to download with all restrictions removed. Open, edit, print and share it freely.

Remove PDF Restrictions Online

PDFMadeSimple's unlock tool removes editing and printing restrictions from PDFs in seconds. No software to install, no account required. Upload your restricted PDF and download the unrestricted version immediately.

Once restrictions are removed, you can print, copy text, and edit the PDF in other tools without being blocked.

What Restrictions Does This Remove?

Some PDFs are locked for editing or printing — they open normally but restrict what you can do with them. This is common with PDFs from businesses, forms, and official documents. Our tool removes those restrictions so you can work with the file freely.

Note: this tool removes editing and printing restrictions only. It cannot remove open passwords — PDFs that require a password just to open them.

Is It Safe to Upload My PDF?

All files uploaded to PDFMadeSimple are transferred over SSL encrypted connections. Your PDF and the unlocked output file are permanently deleted from our servers within 24 hours. We never store your password — it is used only for processing and discarded immediately.

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Help

Unlock PDF — Common Questions

Upload your PDF using the box above and click Remove Restrictions. Your unrestricted file is ready to download in seconds.

If the PDF requires a password to open, yes. If it only restricts editing or printing but opens without a password, leave the field blank and we will remove the restriction.

A user (open) password prevents the file from being opened without the password. An owner password restricts editing, printing or copying but still lets you open the file. We remove both types.

Yes. All uploads are SSL encrypted. Your PDF is permanently deleted within 24 hours. We never store your password.

Yes. Once you have the unlocked PDF, use our Protect PDF tool to add a new password of your choice.

Just enter the email address you used when you paid. No password or account needed — we recognise your active subscription automatically by your email address.