Password-Protect a PDF
Lock a PDF so it asks for a password before it opens. Encryption is AES-256, the strongest the PDF standard defines, and it happens in your browser: neither the document nor the password is sent anywhere.
Steps
- 1
Add the PDF — password protection is already switched on.
- 2
Type the password to open it, and untick anything readers should not be allowed to do: print, copy or edit.
- 3
Download the protected PDF, and keep the password somewhere safe.
FAQ
What if I forget the password?
It cannot be recovered or reset — that is what makes the encryption meaningful. Keep your original file, or store the password in a password manager.
Which readers can open the file?
Any current PDF reader: Adobe Acrobat and Reader, macOS Preview, Chrome, Edge and Firefox, and mobile PDF apps.
What is the permissions password for?
It lets you change the print, copy and edit restrictions later. Left empty, a random one is used and the restrictions become permanent. Restrictions are honoured by readers; the password to open is what actually keeps people out.
Need to add a seal or signature? Use the PDF stamp tool