PDF · runs locally
Remove a PDF password
Decrypt a PDF you can already open and save a copy without the password prompt.
- 1Drop the locked PDF
The encryption type is read locally so you know what you are dealing with.
- 2Enter the password
The open password or the owner password both work.
- 3Download the unlocked copy
Encryption and its permission flags are removed from the new file.
What this tool does
This uses the vendored @pdfsmaller/pdf-decrypt library (MIT) to read the encryption dictionary, derive the key from your password, and decrypt each object. The original file is untouched; you download a new copy.
Unlocking a document you do not own may be illegal or against its licence. Use it on your own files or with the owner's permission.
Questions people actually ask
Can this crack a password?
No. It needs a password you already know. There is no brute force, dictionary or recovery feature.
Which encryption is supported?
AES-256 (PDF 2.0) and RC4 40/128-bit. AES-128 is not supported by the library and is reported as unsupported rather than silently mishandled.
Does it remove printing or copying restrictions?
Yes. The output is a normal unencrypted PDF with no permission flags, so the restrictions no longer apply.