PDF Handoff

How to Remove a Password from a PDF on Mac

Preview, the PDF viewer that comes with every Mac, can save an unlocked copy of a PDF as long as you know the password.

A faster way that keeps everything

Prefer not to fiddle with export options? Drop the file below. The password is removed without changing anything else.

Your password and file stay in this browser tab. Nothing is uploaded.

Only use this on files you're allowed to open. PDF Handoff never guesses or cracks passwords: you need the password to remove it.

The built-in way

  1. Open the PDF in Preview and type the password.
  2. Choose File › Export (not Export as PDF).
  3. Give the copy a new name and make sure Encrypt is not checked.
  4. Click Save. The new copy opens without a password.

Things to know

  • If the PDF also restricts printing or copying, Preview may ask for the owner password before it saves without restrictions.
  • Preview sometimes rewrites the file, which can drop form fields or change how some annotations look.

Questions

Can I remove a PDF password on Mac without Preview?

Yes. You can print to PDF from any app (File › Print › PDF › Save as PDF), or use the tool on this page in Safari or Chrome.

Does Preview upload my file?

No, Preview works locally. So does the tool on this page: the file never leaves your Mac.

Step-by-step guides

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