Protect PDF
Put a password on a PDF before you share it.
How to password-protect a PDF
- Add a PDF and type the password it should require.
- Press Protect PDF; the file is encrypted on your device and offered for download.
- Share the file and the password over different channels, for example the file by mail and the password by phone.
- Keep the password somewhere safe: without it, the file cannot be opened, by you either.
Frequently asked questions
- How strong is the protection?
- The file is encrypted with the AES encryption defined by the PDF standard, the same mechanism desktop PDF suites use. The practical strength is your password: a long passphrase beats a short code.
- Can the password be recovered if I forget it?
- No. There is no backdoor; a forgotten password means the file stays locked. Keep an unprotected copy in a safe place if you need a fallback.
- Does every PDF reader ask for the password?
- Yes, standard encryption is honored by all mainstream readers: Adobe, browsers, macOS Preview and phone viewers all prompt for it.
- Is my file or password sent anywhere?
- No. Encryption runs entirely in your browser; neither the document nor the password leaves your device.