PDF Unlock
Remove PDF password protection directly in your browser
Drag & drop a password-protected PDF here, or click to browse
Maximum file size: 128 MB
All processing happens locally in your browser. Your files and password never leave your computer.
Unlock PDF — Remove Password Free, No Upload
Remove PDF password protection right in your browser — supports RC4-128, AES-128, and AES-256 encryption. 100% free, no upload, no sign-up, your password never leaves your device.
AES-256 DecryptionOfflineNo UploadNo Sign-up
How to Use
- Upload: Drop your password-protected PDF or click to browse
- Enter password: Type the PDF's open password — it stays in your browser only
- Unlock: Click Unlock — decryption runs locally via WebAssembly in seconds
- Download: Download the unlocked PDF and use it anywhere, no password needed
Why Choose This Tool
- 100% Local Processing: Files are processed entirely in your browser using JavaScript — never uploaded to any server.
- No Limits: No file count or file size restrictions. Process as many files as your device can handle.
- No Sign-up: Free forever, no account needed, no email required. Open the page and start.
- Private by Design: Nothing is sent to any server. Close the tab and your files are gone forever.
How We Stack Up
| Feature | Ours | SmallPDF | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock password-protected PDF | Free | $12/mo | Free (80 MB limit) |
| Upload required | No — local processing | Yes | Yes |
| Sign-up required | No | Yes for free tier | No |
| AES-256 support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works offline after first load | Yes | No | No |
Common Questions
Is my password uploaded to a server?
No. The password is processed entirely inside your browser via WebAssembly — it never leaves your computer. The same is true for the PDF file itself. You can verify this by disconnecting from the internet after the page loads; Unlock will still work fully offline.
What types of PDF encryption can this tool unlock?
Our unlocker supports the standard PDF password protection used by Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word's Save as PDF, LibreOffice, and most other PDF tools: RC4-128, AES-128, and AES-256 (PDF 1.4 through 2.0 standards).
Can you unlock PDFs protected with Adobe DRM or Microsoft IRM?
No. Adobe DRM, Microsoft Information Rights Management (IRM), and other enterprise Rights Management systems use a different cryptographic layer (typically tied to an account or server license) that is not part of the PDF standard. To unlock those, you must first remove the DRM with the original software.
What's the difference between a user password and an owner password?
A user (open) password is required to view the document at all — this is what our tool removes. An owner password controls permission flags (print, copy, edit restrictions) and is not cryptographically enforced; built-in browser PDF viewers ignore it entirely. This tool unlocks user passwords; owner password restrictions can be removed by re-saving the file with any PDF editor.
What if I forgot the PDF password?
This tool requires the original password — it cannot recover or crack a forgotten password. Because nothing is uploaded, the password never reaches our servers, so there is no recovery mechanism. Use a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass) to retrieve or reset it.
Is the unlocked PDF identical to the original?
Yes. We remove only the encryption wrapper — the text, images, fonts, layout, and metadata are preserved exactly. The unlocked file is the same document, just without the password requirement.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Yes, as long as the PDF itself is password-protected. Unlocking does not change the content, so scanned pages remain as images. If you need to extract text from scans, use our OCR tools after unlocking.
Is this service really free?
Yes, 100% free with no sign-up, no watermarks, and no page limits. The file-size cap depends on your device (typically 128–256 MB) and is enforced locally. There is no premium tier — the unlocked file is yours, with no strings attached.