"Oh, I'm the one who put the password on this PDF, but it's a pain to enter it every time..." Have you ever experienced that? I put a password on a confidential file at work, but since it's already shared within the company, I want to unlock it. Or you encrypted your tax return documents, but you don't need them anymore because only you will use them. In this article, we will explain how to unlock a Password-protected PDF file using Windows, Mac, and a free online tool. We'll also show you what to do if you forget your password.

There are two types of PDF passwords

First of all, you should know that there are two types of PDF passwords: "Document Open Password" and "Authority Password". The "Document Open Password" is the one you are required to enter when opening the file, and the "Permissions Password" is for restricting printing and editing.

If you set it yourself, it is usually the "password to open the document". To remove this, simply open the file with the password and change the settings. It's surprisingly easy.

By the way, if only the privilege password is set, the file itself can be opened normally. I just can't print or edit it. I will touch on how to remove this later.

How to unlock on Windows (3 ways)

Method 1: Use Adobe Acrobat (paid but most reliable)

If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro/Standard, this is the easiest. After entering the password and opening the PDF, open "File" → "Properties" → "Security" tab and change "Security method" to "No security". Save it and you're done.

A free trial is available from Adobe Acrobat official website, so you can try it out for 7 days just for this task.

Method 2: Open with Google Chrome and resave (free and super easy)

Actually, Google Chrome is the most powerful free PDF password removal tool. It's super simple. Drag and drop the password-protected PDF to Chrome → enter the password and open → Ctrl+P (print) → set "Send to" to "Save as PDF" and save. With just this, you can create a PDF without a password.

Click here to download Google Chrome. I think most people have already installed it.

Method 3: Use CubePDF Utility (Free/Made in Japan)

If you use the Japanese free software CubePDF Utility, you can easily remove the password using the GUI. After installation, just open the PDF, enter the password, uncheck encryption on the "Security" tab, and save. This is useful when you want to process multiple files at once.

How to unlock on Mac (2 ways)

Method 1: Re-save with Preview.app (standard/free)

No additional software required for Mac users! You can cancel it using the standard "Preview" app. Double-click the password-protected PDF to open it → enter the password → "File" → "Export" → uncheck "Encryption" → Save. That's all. Macs are convenient, aren't they?

Method 2: Use Google Chrome

You can use the same method as for Windows. Just open the PDF in Chrome, press ⌘+P to bring up the print screen, and select "Save to PDF." Chrome is free to use on Mac, so use it as an alternative if previews don't work.

How to unlock using free online tools

For those who do not want to install software, online tools are convenient. However,never upload sensitive files. Company documents and files containing personal information are not accepted.

iLovePDF is a standard tool used all over the world. You can download the unlocked PDF by uploading the file to the iLovePDF Password Removal page and entering the password. You can use it for free several times a day.

Smallpdf is also recommended. Smallpdf Password Unlock can be operated by drag and drop, and the UI is very easy to understand. There is also a free tier.

Both tools clearly state that uploaded files will be automatically deleted from the server after a certain period of time, but if you are concerned about this, please use the offline method.

What if I forget my password?

If you have set the password yourself but have forgotten it, unfortunately there is no way to unlock it. PDF encryption is quite strong, so even a brute force attack will take a long time.

The first thing you should try is checking your email history, notepad, and password manager. You can also try using frequently used passwords, such as "password" and "1234."

If that doesn't work, you can use dedicated software (paid) such as Elcomsoft Advanced PDF Password Recovery, but the cost-effectiveness for personal use is questionable. Depending on the length and complexity of the password, it may take several days to analyze it.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

I can't print even if I open a PDF in Chrome?

Printing may be prohibited due to the "permission password". In this case, you may not be able to use Chrome's print function. Try Adobe Acrobat or online tools.

Will the image quality of the unlocked PDF deteriorate?

If you save to PDF via Chrome, the layout may be slightly distorted due to re-rendering. There is no problem with text-based PDFs, but for complex designs, Adobe Acrobat or CubePDF Utility are safer.

Can I remove the password set by someone else?

Technically, you can do it in the same way, but removing someone else's password without their permission may violate the law. Please be sure to obtain permission from the rights holder before proceeding. This article introduces how to remove the password you set yourself.

Can I remove the PDF password on my smartphone?

If you have an iPhone, you may be able to release the lock by opening the PDF in the "File" app and saving it as a PDF using the share button. For Android, you can open it in Chrome, print it, and then save it as a PDF. However, since the screen is small and takes time to operate on a smartphone, we recommend working on a PC.

References