Password-protect your PDF or remove existing password protection — instantly, privately, in your browser.

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Drop your PDF here

or click to browse

🔒 Never uploaded PDF only No account
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document.pdf
0 KB

🔒 Password Settings Lock Mode

Enter a password to see strength
🛡️ Permission Restrictions (optional)

Encrypting your PDF…

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PDF Locked Successfully!

Your PDF is now password-protected and ready to download.

What is a PDF Lock & Unlock Tool?

A PDF Lock tool adds password encryption to your PDF documents, controlling who can open, print, copy, or edit them. A PDF Unlock tool removes that encryption when you have the correct password — restoring full access. Our tool does both, entirely within your browser using pdf-lib, so your files are never uploaded or stored anywhere.

Features of This Free PDF Lock & Unlock Tool

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PDF Password Lock
Set an open password to protect your PDF from unauthorized access.
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PDF Password Unlock
Remove password protection from PDFs you own.
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Permission Control
Restrict printing, copying, editing, and annotations independently.
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Password Strength Meter
Live indicator shows how strong your chosen password is.
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100% Private
All processing is done in your browser. Files never leave your device.
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Instant & Free
No account, no watermarks, no limits. Works on desktop and mobile.
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Mobile Friendly
Fully responsive design. Works on any smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
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Drag & Drop
Drag and drop your PDF file directly onto the upload zone.

How to Lock a PDF with a Password — Step by Step

  1. Select "Lock PDF" tab — choose the Lock mode at the top of the tool.
  2. Upload your PDF — drag and drop or click to browse and select your file.
  3. Set a password — enter a strong open password and confirm it.
  4. Choose permissions — optionally restrict printing, copying, editing, or annotations.
  5. Click "Lock PDF" — your password-protected PDF will download automatically.

How to Unlock a Password-Protected PDF

  1. Select "Unlock PDF" tab — switch to Unlock mode using the tab at the top.
  2. Upload your protected PDF — drop your encrypted file onto the upload zone.
  3. Enter the current password — type the password that protects the PDF.
  4. Click "Unlock PDF" — the tool removes encryption and downloads the unlocked file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I lock a PDF with a password online?

Upload your PDF, enter your desired password, optionally configure permission restrictions, and click "Lock PDF". The protected file downloads instantly — all processing happens in your browser.

How do I remove a password from a PDF?

Switch to the Unlock tab, upload your password-protected PDF, enter the existing password, and click "Unlock PDF". The decrypted PDF will be downloaded to your device.

Is this tool completely free?

Yes. This tool is 100% free. No account needed, no watermarks added, no file size restrictions for standard use.

Does my PDF get uploaded to a server?

Never. All encryption and decryption is handled entirely in your web browser using the open-source pdf-lib library. Your files stay on your device at all times.

What permissions can I restrict when locking a PDF?

You can independently restrict: printing, copying text or images, editing the document content, and adding or modifying annotations. Permission restrictions are enforced by PDF viewer applications.

Can I unlock any password-protected PDF?

You can unlock any PDF for which you know the password. This tool does not crack or brute-force passwords — it requires the correct password to remove protection.

What encryption standard does this tool use?

This tool uses AES-256 encryption via the pdf-lib library when locking PDFs, which is the strongest PDF encryption standard currently available.

Will it work on mobile phones?

Yes. The tool is fully responsive and works on modern browsers on smartphones, tablets, and desktops (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).

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