How to password-protect a PDF
Before emailing anything sensitive — a bank statement, a contract, medical records — it's worth locking it so only the intended recipient can open it. Password-protecting a PDF encrypts its contents so the file is useless to anyone without the password.
Here's how, plus how to remove the password again later.
Step by step
- 1
Open the Protect PDF tool
Go to the Protect PDF tool and add your file.
- 2
Set a strong password
Choose a password and share it with the recipient through a separate channel (not in the same email as the file).
- 3
Download the encrypted PDF
Encrypt with AES-256 and download. Opening it will now require the password.
Removing the password later
If you have the password and want a copy that opens freely, the Unlock PDF tool removes the encryption. To scrub metadata (author, software) before sharing, use Sanitize PDF.
FAQ
How strong is the encryption?
AES-256, the current standard — strong enough that the password, not the cipher, is the weak point. Use a long, unique one.
How do I remove the password later?
Use Unlock PDF with the password to produce an unprotected copy.
Where is the file processed?
Encryption runs on the server (qpdf) over an encrypted connection; the file is deleted within an hour.