How to password protect a PDF
A password on a PDF keeps it private if the file is emailed, shared or lost. It takes under a minute, and the password is the only way back in.
Open Protect PDFAdd a password to a PDF
- Open Protect PDF and add your file.
- Type a password and repeat it.
- Choose what is allowed after opening, such as full access or read only.
- Click Protect and download the locked PDF.
Choose a strong password
- Use a long phrase of several unrelated words rather than a single word.
- Don't reuse a password from another account.
- Store it in a password manager.
Send the password separately
If you email the PDF, give the password by another route, such as a message or a phone call. A password in the same email as the file protects nothing.
If you forget the password
We can't recover it. We don't keep passwords, and a properly protected PDF can't be opened without one. Keep a copy of the password somewhere safe.
Removing a password later
If you own the file and know the password, Unlock PDF saves a copy with no password and no restrictions.