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PDFHive

Unlock PDF

Remove the password from a PDF you can open, so you don't have to type it every time, or lift printing, copying and editing limits from a PDF that is yours. You get an unprotected copy with every page unchanged. Nothing is guessed or cracked, and your file and password stay on your device.

Your files are processed in your browser and never leave your device.

How to use Unlock PDF

  1. Click "Select PDF file" and choose the protected PDF.
  2. If it needs a password to open, type it. If it only blocks printing, copying or editing, confirm that you own it or have permission to change it.
  3. Click "Unlock PDF".
  4. Download the unlocked copy. It opens without a password and nothing is restricted.

How to remove a password from a PDF

Choose the PDF, type the password that opens it, and click "Unlock PDF". The new copy opens straight away in any PDF reader, without asking for a password, which is handy for files you open often or need to send through a system that can't handle passwords.

You need to know the password: PDFHive never tries to guess or crack one. If you have forgotten it, ask whoever sent you the file for a new copy.

How to remove printing and copying restrictions from a PDF

Some PDFs, such as bank statements, payslips and tickets, open without a password but stop you printing, copying text, or adding them to another PDF. Choose the file, tick the box to confirm you own it or have permission to change it, and click "Unlock PDF". The copy has no limits, so you can print it, merge it with other documents for an application, or compress it.

What if the PDF won't unlock?

Each message means something different. Here is what to do.

  1. "That password doesn't open…": check capital letters, spaces and the keyboard language, then try again.
  2. "Isn't protected": the file opens freely and has no limits, so there is nothing to unlock.
  3. "Could not be read": the file may be damaged, or protected with a certificate or a rights-management system, which this tool can't remove.
  4. The password is forgotten: ask whoever sent the file for a new copy. PDFHive never guesses passwords.

Frequently asked questions

Is my PDF or password uploaded anywhere?

No. The PDF is unlocked inside your web browser, on your own computer or phone. Neither the document nor the password is sent to us or anyone else, and nothing is stored.

Is Unlock PDF free?

Yes. It is free, with no sign-up and no limit on the number of PDFs.

I forgot the password. Can you crack it?

No. PDFHive only removes a password you type, and never tries to guess or break one. Strong PDF encryption can't practically be cracked anyway. Ask the person or company that sent the file for a new copy.

Is it legal to unlock a PDF?

Removing protection from your own documents, or from documents you have permission to change, is fine. Don't use it to get around protection someone else put on a file you aren't allowed to change. That is why the tool asks you to confirm before lifting restrictions.

My bank statement won't print or merge. Can this help?

Yes. Statements are often locked against printing, copying or editing even though they open without a password. Unlock a copy here, and you can then print it, add it to other PDFs with Merge PDF, or make it smaller with Compress PDF.

Will unlocking change the quality of my PDF?

No. Only the protection is removed. Every page, image, link and form field stays exactly as it was.

Which PDFs can't be unlocked?

PDFs protected with a digital certificate instead of a password, and files locked by special rights-management systems (common for some e-books and company documents), can't be unlocked here. Damaged files can't be opened either.

Can I unlock a PDF on my iPhone?

Yes. It works in Safari and Chrome on iPhone and Android. Choose the PDF from your Files app, type the password if it asks for one, and the unlocked copy is saved back to your phone.

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