Unlock PDF Online Free — Remove Password

Remove the password from a PDF you have access to. Once unlocked, the PDF opens without prompting for a password and prints/copies normally. All decryption happens in your browser.

How it works

  1. Drop your password-protected PDF. Drag the PDF onto the page. GhostPDF detects the password protection.
  2. Enter the password if needed. Many PDFs are 'owner-locked' (restricted, not encrypted) and unlock instantly. Truly encrypted PDFs prompt you for the password — type it into your browser, never sent to us.
  3. Download the unlocked PDF. The output opens without a password prompt and has all owner-restrictions (no-print, no-copy) cleared.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know the password?

For encrypted PDFs, yes. We don't break encryption — that's both unethical and computationally impossible for strong passwords. For 'owner-locked' PDFs (where you can read it but not print/copy), no password is needed.

What's the difference between 'owner-locked' and 'encrypted'?

Owner-locked PDFs open without a password but the owner restricted printing, copying, or editing — those restrictions are honored by polite viewers, not enforced cryptographically. Encrypted PDFs require the password to even open.

Is this legal?

Yes — for PDFs you own or have permission to use. Removing the password from a document you don't have rights to may violate your jurisdiction's laws or the document owner's terms.

Does the password get sent to us?

No. The password lives only in your browser. We never see it, store it, or have any way to recover it if you forget.

What happens after I close the tab?

The password is wiped from memory. The unlocked PDF is on your machine — we have no copy.

Free, no signup?

Yes. No signup, no document caps, no watermark.

Related tools

Every GhostPDF tool runs entirely in your browser. Your file is never uploaded — there is no upload endpoint to send it to.