Guide
How to remove a password from a PDF (when you know it)
Tired of typing the same password? Save an unlocked copy of a PDF on Mac, Windows or in the browser — and lift printing restrictions.
Updated 4 October 2026 2 min read
Banks, phone companies and payroll services often send statements as password-protected PDFs, usually with your date of birth or customer number as the password. That is fine once — annoying when you open the file every month. If you know the password, you can keep an unlocked copy.
In Chrome or Edge: print to PDF
- Open the PDF in the browser and type the password.
- Press
Ctrl+P(or⌘+P) and choose Save as PDF as the printer. - Save. The new copy opens without a password.
The catch: this re-prints the document, so links, bookmarks and fillable fields are usually lost — and it doesn't work if the file forbids printing.
On a Mac: Preview
Open the PDF in Preview, enter the password, then choose File → Export… and leave the encryption option off. The exported copy has no password.
In any browser, keeping the file intact
A dedicated unlocking tool removes the encryption itself instead of re-printing, so the text, links and form fields stay exactly as they were. Files that only restrict printing or copying (no open password) are unlocked straight away.
Before you unlock
- The unlocked copy is readable by anyone who gets it — store it somewhere safe, not in a shared folder.
- If you need to share it again, add a new password of your own.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a password I don't know?
Not with legitimate tools. Strong PDF encryption is designed so that the only practical way in is the password. Ask the sender for it.
Why can't I print or copy text from a PDF that opens without a password?
The file has permissions (restrictions) but no open password. Saving an unlocked copy removes those restrictions too.
Is it legal to remove a PDF password?
Removing the password from your own documents, or ones you are authorised to use, is normal. Don't use it to get around restrictions on documents you are not allowed to change or share.