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© 2026 Toolkernel. All rights reserved.

Your files never leave your device. Built for developers who value privacy.

  1. Toolkernel
  2. /
  3. PDF Tools
  4. /
  5. Unlock PDF

Unlock PDF

Remove password protection from your PDF

Your files never leave your device

Drop protected PDF here

or click to select file

Upload a password-protected PDF to unlock

How to Unlock a PDF

  1. 1
    Upload Protected PDF
    Drag and drop your password-protected PDF file or click to browse.
  2. 2
    Enter Password
    Type the password that was used to protect the PDF document.
  3. 3
    Download Unlocked PDF
    Click "Unlock PDF" and download your file without password protection.

Important: Password Required

This tool requires you to know the correct password. It cannot crack, bypass, or recover forgotten passwords. Only use this tool on PDFs you have legitimate access to and authorization to unlock.

Why Remove PDF Password Protection?

While password protection is valuable for security, there are legitimate reasons to remove it. If you're the document owner and no longer need to restrict access, removing the password makes the document more convenient to work with.

Unlocked PDFs are easier to integrate into workflows. They can be merged with other documents, annotated, or processed by automation tools that may not handle password prompts. For archival purposes, removing passwords from old documents can prevent access issues in the future.

This tool is designed for legitimate use cases where you have authorization to access the document. It requires you to know the correct password and simply removes the need to enter it each time the document is opened.

When to Use This Tool

Convenience

Remove password from PDFs you access frequently so you don't have to enter the password each time.

Sharing

Create an unprotected version to share with colleagues who are authorized to view the content.

Archiving

Store documents without password protection when they no longer need to be secured.

Editing

Unlock PDFs to edit them in PDF editors that require unprotected files.

Printing

Remove restrictions that prevent printing if you have the password.

Accessibility

Create accessible versions for users who have difficulty entering passwords repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know the password?

Yes, this tool requires the correct password. It cannot crack or bypass password protection - it simply removes the protection when you provide the correct password.

Can this tool recover forgotten passwords?

No. If you've forgotten the password, you'll need to use other password recovery methods or contact the document owner. This is a legitimate unlocking tool, not a password cracker.

What happens to the original file?

The original protected file remains unchanged. We create a new, unlocked copy for you to download.

Is my password and PDF secure?

Yes. All processing happens locally in your browser. Your PDF and password are never sent to any server or stored anywhere.

Does this work with all protected PDFs?

This works with standard PDF password protection. Some enterprise DRM systems may use different protection methods that aren't supported.

Can I re-protect the PDF later?

Yes, you can use our Protect PDF tool to add password protection back to the unlocked PDF if needed.

Is unlocking a PDF legal?

Yes, if you have legitimate access and know the password. Removing protection from your own documents or those you're authorized to access is legal. This tool is not for bypassing security on unauthorized documents.

Will the unlocked PDF look different?

No. The unlocked PDF contains the exact same content as the original. Only the password protection is removed - all pages, formatting, and quality remain identical.

Does unlocking remove all restrictions?

Yes. When you unlock a PDF, all restrictions are removed including password requirements for opening, and any permission restrictions for printing, copying, or editing.

What if I enter the wrong password?

The unlock will fail and you'll see an error message. Simply enter the correct password and try again. There's no limit on password attempts.

Related PDF Tools

Protect PDF

Add password protection

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Combine multiple PDFs

Compress PDF

Reduce file size