How to Unlock a Locked PDF File (When You Have the Password)

Forgot the password to your own PDF? Learn how to unlock password-protected PDF files when you know the password. Step-by-step guide with free methods.

By PeacefulPDF Team•

You made a PDF months ago, added a password to it, and now you need to open it again. The only problem is you can't remember the password. Sound familiar?

This happens more often than you'd think. You lock a document for security, store it somewhere safe, and then the security becomes your biggest problem when you come back to it.

The good news: if you know the password (or can find it), unlocking the PDF is easy. This guide walks you through the fastest ways to do it.

First: What Kind of Lock Are We Talking About?

PDFs can be locked in two different ways. Knowing which one you're dealing with helps you pick the right solution.

User Password (Open Password)

This lock requires a password just to open and view the PDF. Without entering the correct password, you can't see anything inside. The file is encrypted.

Owner Password (Permission Password)

This lock lets you open and view the PDF, but prevents certain actions like editing, copying, printing, or signing. The file itself isn't encrypted — it just has restrictions applied.

Both types can be removed if you know the password. If you don't know the password, you're in a different situation entirely (and beyond what this guide covers).

Method 1: Using Your Browser (Easiest Free Method)

Most modern browsers can open password-protected PDFs and will let you save an unlocked version. This works for both user passwords and owner passwords.

In Google Chrome

  1. Drag and drop your PDF into Chrome, or press Ctrl+O and select the file
  2. Enter the password when prompted
  3. Right-click anywhere on the document
  4. Select "Print" (or press Ctrl+P)
  5. Change the destination to "Save as PDF"
  6. Click "Save"

This creates a new PDF without the password protection. The print method essentially "unlocks" the content by re-rendering it.

In macOS Preview

  1. Double-click the PDF to open it in Preview
  2. Enter the password when asked
  3. Go to File → Export as PDF (or press Cmd+Shift+E)
  4. Uncheck the "Encrypt" option if it's available
  5. Save the file

If the encryption option isn't visible in the export dialog, the PDF has an owner password. Try the next method instead.

Method 2: Using Online Tools (Fastest Option)

Online PDF unlockers are quick and work in your browser. You upload the file, enter the password, and download the unlocked version.

PeacefulPDF's unlock tool handles both user passwords and owner passwords. Just upload your PDF, enter the password, and the tool removes the protection.

The process takes about 30 seconds and works on any device with a browser. No software installation needed.

Why Use an Online Tool?

  • Works with all PDF types (user password and owner password)
  • No software to install
  • Handles batch files if you have multiple locked PDFs
  • Works on any operating system

Method 3: Using Adobe Acrobat (Most Reliable)

If you already have Adobe Acrobat Pro, it's the most straightforward option. Adobe designed the PDF format, so their tool handles everything cleanly.

Steps in Adobe Acrobat

  1. Open Adobe Acrobat Pro
  2. Click File → Open and select your locked PDF
  3. Enter the password when prompted
  4. Click File → Properties
  5. Select the "Security" tab
  6. Look for "Security Method" — change it to "No Security"
  7. Enter the password again to confirm
  8. Click OK, then File → Save

Your PDF is now fully unlocked and can be opened, edited, and shared without a password.

Method 4: Using PDFtk (For Command Line Users)

PDFtk is a free command-line tool that can remove password protection from PDFs. It's great if you're comfortable using terminal commands.

Installing PDFtk

On Mac: brew install pdftk

On Linux: sudo apt install pdftk

On Windows: Download from the PDFtk website

Unlocking the PDF

  1. Open your terminal or command prompt
  2. Run this command:
pdftk input.pdf output unlocked.pdf user_password YOUR_PASSWORD

Replace "input.pdf" with your file name and "YOUR_PASSWORD" with the actual password.

For owner passwords, use owner_password instead of user_password.

What If You Forgot the Password Completely?

If you've genuinely lost the password and don't know it, your options are limited. Password protection on PDFs is designed to be secure.

Here are a few things you can try:

  • Check your password manager — you might have saved it there
  • Search your email for the original file or password
  • Ask the person who created or sent you the file
  • Check if you have an older, unlocked version stored somewhere

There's no reliable way to recover a PDF password without the original. If the document is truly irrecoverable, you may need to recreate it from scratch.

Tips for Avoiding This Problem in the Future

  • Use a password manager to store PDF passwords
  • Keep an unlocked backup of documents you frequently use
  • Remove passwords from PDFs you're regularly editing
  • Document password-protected files in a spreadsheet or note

Wrapping Up

Unlocking a PDF when you know the password takes seconds with the right tools. Browser print-to-PDF works for quick fixes, online tools are fastest for regular use, and Adobe Acrobat is there if you need maximum reliability.

Just remember: once you unlock a PDF, it's no longer protected. If the document contains sensitive information, make sure to keep it in a secure location or re-apply protection if needed.

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