Unlock PDF
Remove the password from a PDF you own or have permission to access.
If you have the password to a protected PDF, mydearPDF removes the encryption so you can view, copy, edit, and share the file freely. The unlock process happens entirely on our secure server using qpdf, the industry-standard PDF decryption library, and the unlocked file is delivered immediately to you.
Secure
HTTPS transport. Files removed after processing.
High quality
Resilient open-source engine pipeline.
Fast & easy
Drop, process, download — in seconds.
How to unlock pdf with mydearPDF
- 1
Upload the protected PDF
Drop the password-protected PDF onto the upload area.
- 2
Enter the PDF password
Type the password you use to open the PDF normally.
- 3
Click Unlock PDF
mydearPDF verifies the password and removes the encryption.
- 4
Download the unlocked PDF
Click Download to save mydearpdf-unlock.pdf, fully unlocked.
Built for speed, privacy, and zero friction
- Removes both user and owner passwords from PDFs
- Industry-standard qpdf decryption under the hood
- No watermark, no signup, no daily limit
- Files removed from our server immediately after processing
Frequently asked questions
Can I unlock a PDF without the password?
No, and that is by design. mydearPDF only removes encryption when you provide the correct password. We do not crack PDFs or attempt to bypass passwords you do not have.
Is it legal to unlock a PDF?
Unlocking a PDF you own or have permission to access is normal and legal. Removing protection from a document you do not have authorization to access is not. Use this tool only for files you legitimately own or are permitted to modify.
What happens to my password?
Your password is used only to unlock the file and is never stored or logged. It is held in memory for the duration of your request and discarded when the unlocked file is delivered.
Why does Unlock fail with my password?
The password must match the one used to open the PDF. PDF passwords are case-sensitive. If you are sure the password is correct but unlock still fails, the PDF may use an unusual encryption format — try our Compress or Merge tools to inspect the file.
Are my files private when I unlock them?
Yes. Files are uploaded over HTTPS, processed in isolated server memory, and deleted immediately after the unlocked PDF is sent back to you.
PDF passwords come in two flavours: user passwords (which restrict opening) and owner passwords (which restrict copying, printing, or editing even after the file is open). mydearPDF removes both when you provide the correct password, returning a fully usable PDF you can read, copy, print, edit, and share normally. The decryption is done with qpdf, the same engine used by Linux distributions and PDF processing pipelines worldwide. We never store your password or your files — both exist only for the duration of the request.