paperformat.

Unlock a PDF

Remove password protection from a PDF you already know the password for. Runs entirely in your browser — your file and password are never uploaded.

Drop a password-protected PDF here, or click to browse

Processed in your browser — nothing is uploaded

About this tool

This tool removes the password requirement from a PDF, so it opens normally without prompting for a password each time. It works by decrypting the document using the password you provide, then saving a new copy without any encryption — the underlying content (text, images, formatting) stays exactly as it was, fully selectable and searchable, not converted to flattened images.

You'll need to already know the PDF's current password — this tool removes a password you have, it doesn't crack, guess, or bypass one you don't know. That's a deliberate limitation: it's not designed to defeat protection on a file you don't have legitimate access to.

This is commonly used for PDFs from banks, government agencies, or scanning software that ship with a password by default, when you want to stop re-entering that password every time you open the file — or for combining a password-protected PDF with other files (protected PDFs generally can't be merged or edited until unlocked).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know the password already?
Yes. This tool removes a password you already have — it cannot recover, guess, or crack a password you don't know.
Is my PDF or password uploaded anywhere?
No. Both the decryption and the password entry happen entirely in your browser — neither the file nor the password is ever sent to a server.
Will this affect the PDF's text or formatting?
No — the document's actual content is decrypted and preserved exactly as-is. Text stays selectable and searchable; nothing is flattened into images.
What if I enter the wrong password?
You'll see a clear error and can try again — no limit on attempts, since everything happens locally with no server involved.

You might also need