Unlock PDF Online

This free online tool removes password protection from a PDF. Upload the locked file, enter its password and download an unlocked copy that opens without one. If the PDF opens freely but stops you printing, copying or editing, leave the password empty to remove those restrictions. Everything happens in your browser, so your document never leaves your device.

  • Lightning Fast
  • 100% Free
  • Privacy First
  • Unlock Protected PDFs
  • AES-256 Support

Remove the password from a PDF in seconds

How to Unlock a PDF in 3 Steps

1. Upload the Locked PDF

Click Browse or drag and drop the password-protected PDF into the tool.

2. Enter the Password

Type the password you use to open the file. If the PDF opens without one and only restricts printing or copying, leave the box empty.

3. Download Your PDF

Click Unlock PDF, then download the unlocked copy. It opens anywhere with no password prompt.

Why Use Our PDF Unlocker?

The private way to take the password off a PDF you are allowed to open.

Lightning Fast

Most PDFs are unlocked in a second or two. There is no upload and no queue to wait for.

100% Free

No hidden fees, no sign-up and no watermark. Unlock as many PDFs as you need, completely free.

Privacy First

Your PDF and its password stay on your device. The file is unlocked in your browser with WebAssembly and never uploaded.

Works With AES-256

Unlocks PDFs encrypted with AES-256, AES-128 or RC4, including files protected by current versions of Adobe Acrobat.

Removes Restrictions

A PDF that opens freely but blocks printing, copying or editing is unlocked without any password at all.

Nothing Else Changes

Only the encryption is removed. Text, fonts, images, links and page layout stay exactly as they were.

Build Document Automation That Scales With APITemplate

APITemplate is an API-first platform that generates professional PDFs and images at scale from reusable templates, raw HTML, or URLs. Integrate via REST API, SDKs, or no-code tools like Zapier, Make, and n8n.

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Create stunning PDFs using our WYSIWYG Template Editor. With its user-friendly interface, you can design templates visually — no coding required.

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Convert HTML to PDF using APITemplate.io’s powerful HTML Template Editor. Combine your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills with dynamic JSON data to create custom templates that deliver pixel-perfect PDFs.

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Customer Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

How do I unlock a PDF?

Upload the PDF, enter the password you use to open it and click Unlock PDF. Download the unlocked copy, and it will open without asking for a password.

Do I need to know the password?

Yes, if the PDF asks for a password when you open it. This tool removes protection you already have the password for; it does not guess, crack or bypass passwords. If the PDF opens without a password and only restricts printing, copying or editing, no password is needed.

How do I remove printing or copying restrictions from a PDF?

Upload the PDF, leave the password box empty and click Unlock PDF. A PDF that opens without a password but restricts printing, copying or editing is protected by an owner password only, and the tool removes those restrictions without it.

I forgot the password. Can this tool recover it?

No. A forgotten password cannot be recovered or removed here. Ask whoever sent you the PDF for the password or for an unprotected copy.

Which kinds of PDF encryption can it unlock?

All password-based PDF encryption: 40-bit and 128-bit RC4, AES-128, and AES-256, which is what current versions of Adobe Acrobat use. PDFs encrypted to a digital certificate rather than a password cannot be unlocked here.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. The PDF and the password stay on your device. The file is unlocked in your browser with WebAssembly, so nothing is uploaded, stored or shared.

Will unlocking change my PDF?

Only the encryption is removed. The text, fonts, images, links and layout are the same as in the original, and the file opens in any PDF reader without a password.

Can I add a password to a PDF instead?

Yes. Use our free Protect PDF tool to add a password that anyone must enter to open the file.

Can I edit, merge or compress the PDF after unlocking it?

Yes. An unlocked PDF works with every other tool, so you can merge it with other files, split out pages or reduce its size with our free tools.

What is APITemplate.io?

APITemplate.io is designed for generating PDF documents from reusable templates. It can be easily integrated with popular tools like Zapier, Airtable, Make.com, Bubble.io, n8n, UiPath, or directly via REST API, making it highly adaptable to various workflows.

There are three main ways to generate PDF documents using APITemplate.io:

  1. Template-based PDF generation: Create PDFs from predefined templates.
  2. HTML to PDF generation: Convert HTML content directly into PDF format.
  3. URL to PDF generation: Convert entire web pages to PDFs by simply providing their URLs.

The platform also supports custom CSS and JavaScript, allowing for advanced styling and customization. Its powerful template engine ensures that you can create complex documents efficiently, while the API Console enables you to preview and customize JSON data instantly.

In addition, APITemplate.io offers support for adding custom headers and footers, including page numbers and total page counts, making it an excellent choice for creating polished, professional PDF documents.

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