Unlock a PDF (remove the password)

Remove the password from a PDF you have the password for, so it opens without prompting every time. Upload the file, enter its password, and download an unlocked copy. Your file is processed securely and deleted right after.

How to unlock pdf

1. 1Upload the password-protected PDF.
2. 2Enter the password you already know.
3. 3We remove the encryption.
4. 4Download the unlocked PDF.

When to use this tool

• You password-protected a PDF yourself and no longer need the prompt every time it opens.
• A document you have full rights to is protected and you want an easier-to-use copy stored.
• You're consolidating old protected files and want to remove passwords you already know before archiving.
• A protected form needs to be merged with others, and merging tools need it unlocked first.
• You're cleaning up an old folder of protected PDFs that no longer need to be locked.
• A protected file needs to be compressed or edited, and most of those tools need an unlocked copy first.

Tips for a better result

• You need the existing password; this tool removes one you already have, not one you've forgotten.
• Unlock a copy if you might need the password-protected version again later.
• Re-protect with a new password afterward if you're planning to share the file again.
• If the password doesn't work, double-check for extra spaces or case sensitivity before trying again.
• Confirm you're allowed to remove the password — only unlock documents you have the rights and authority to access.

Privacy: what happens to your file

This tool uploads your file to our server, because PDF encryption needs a full document engine that a browser can't run. We write it to a temporary folder to process it, then delete that folder immediately after your download is ready, whether the job succeeds or fails. We don't keep a copy or share it with anyone.

Unlock PDF is one of 34 free organize-category tools on fillable.ca. It pairs well with protect pdf, compress pdf and repair pdf for a complete document workflow — see the full tools listfor everything else that’s free to use.