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Add a password to a PDF

Lock a PDF so only people with the password can open it. Useful before emailing ID scans, contracts, pay slips or medical documents.

    At least 4 characters. Share it with the recipient separately, not in the same email.

    Files are processed on our server and deleted automatically after one hour.

    When to protect a PDF

    Email isn't a private channel. Messages get forwarded, sit in shared inboxes and stay in sent folders for years. If a document contains an ID number, bank details, salary or health information, a password means that anyone who ends up with the file still can't read it.

    How strong is the protection?

    The file is encrypted with AES-256, the same standard PDF readers use for their strongest protection. In practice, the weak point is the password, not the encryption: a short password or an obvious one, like a phone number, is much easier to guess than a random phrase.

    Tips for sharing a protected PDF

    • Send the password through a different channel than the file, for example the file by email and the password by text message.
    • Don't reuse a password you use for an important account.
    • Keep an unprotected copy for yourself, or keep the password somewhere safe. There's no way to recover a forgotten one.

    Received a protected file and want to remove the password? Use Unlock PDF.

    How it works

    1. Choose your PDF

      Drop the file into the box above.

    2. Set a password

      Type it twice to avoid typos.

    3. Download the protected file

      It will ask for the password every time it's opened.

    Frequently asked questions

    What encryption is used?

    AES-256, supported by every modern PDF reader, including Adobe Acrobat, browsers and phone apps.

    Can the recipient print the file?

    Yes. After opening it with the password, printing is allowed. Copying text and editing are restricted in readers that respect PDF permissions.

    What if I forget the password?

    It can't be recovered, by us or anyone else. Keep your original unprotected file.

    Is my password stored?

    No. It's used once to encrypt the file, and the files are deleted from the server after an hour.

    Guides

    Sending a Copy of Your ID? How to Do It Safely

    A landlord or employer asked for a copy of your ID. How to limit what the copy can be used for with a watermark and a password.

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