What this tool does
Upload a protected PDF, enter its password, and the tool saves a copy without encryption. The upload limit is 24 MB.
How to use it
- Choose the protected PDF (up to 24 MB).
- Enter its password.
- Press Unlock PDF, then Download Unlocked PDF.
It does not break passwords
You have to provide the correct password. The tool authenticates with it, and if it is wrong, it says so. It does not guess, crack or bypass passwords, and it is not for opening files you don’t have the right to open.
If a PDF isn’t encrypted, the tool tells you it is already unlocked and returns a copy.
Two kinds of PDF password
- A user (open) password is needed to open the file at all. That’s the one this tool asks for.
- An owner (permissions) password restricts printing, copying or editing, while the file still opens without a password. Removing those restrictions is only appropriate for documents you own or are allowed to change.
What to expect afterwards
The output opens without a password, and the content is the same. Because the password is removed, send or store the file with care, since anyone who gets it can read it.
Privacy
Your file and the password are sent to the server for processing. The password is passed to a Python script through a short-lived temporary configuration file, which is removed when the process finishes. The unlocked file is kept in a temporary folder with a download link that lasts 15 minutes. Don’t use this for documents or passwords you aren’t comfortable sharing with a server. Up to 10 requests a minute are allowed.
To protect a file instead, use Protect PDF.
Can it recover a forgotten password?
No. You must supply the correct password. It doesn’t crack or guess.
What if the PDF has no password?
The tool says it is already unlocked and gives you a copy.
Is my password stored?
It is used for the conversion and then removed with its temporary file, but it is sent to the server, so use this only if you are comfortable with that.
What is the maximum file size?
24 MB.
How long is my unlocked file kept?
It sits in a temporary folder on the server with a download link that works for 15 minutes. The file is removed once you download it or the link expires.