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Protect a PDF with a password

Add a password that anyone must type to open the PDF. Optionally block printing, copying and editing for people who open it.

    How to protect a PDF with a password

    1. Add your PDF.
    2. Type a password twice, and choose what people may do once it is open.
    3. Press Protect PDF and download the locked copy.

    At a glance

    Where files are processedIn your browser. The file is never uploaded.
    How long files are keptNothing is kept on a server, because nothing is sent to one.
    Free limitsNo caps on files, pages or tasks. Your device's memory is the practical limit.
    AccountNone
    PriceFree
    AdsNone
    Offline optionNo app. Works in any current browser, on desktop and phone

    Private by design

    Compression, encryption and text recognition all run in your browser. Your file and your password are never sent to a server.

    Good to know

    The file is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest method in the PDF standard, supported by Acrobat, Preview, Chrome, Edge and every current reader. A long password matters more than a clever one: four unrelated words beat a short string of symbols.

    Questions

    What if I forget the password?

    Nobody can recover it, including us: we never see it. Keep your unprotected original, or store the password in a password manager.

    Do print and copy restrictions really stop people?

    They stop honest readers and most apps. They are a request written into the file rather than a lock, so a determined person with the right software can ignore them. The opening password, on the other hand, is real encryption.

    Is the password sent anywhere?

    No. The file is encrypted inside your browser and the password never leaves this page.

    Will it open on a phone?

    Yes. iOS, Android and their built-in viewers support AES-256 protected PDFs.

    Guides

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