How to Remove a Password from a PDF (When You Know It)

By Shani Dev Gupta · Updated 23 September 2026 · 4 min read

Bank statements, e-Aadhaar, salary slips and some bills are sent as password-protected PDFs. That is useful for security, but annoying when you need to upload, merge or print them. If you know the password, you can save an unlocked copy.

Steps

1. Open Unlock PDF and select the protected file.
2. Type the password the PDF asks for when you open it.
3. Tap Unlock PDF and download the unlocked copy.

Common password formats

Senders usually explain the format in the email or SMS that came with the file. Often it is a mix of part of your name and your date of birth or account number. Check that message rather than guessing.

Good to know

• This tool does not break or guess passwords. You must already know it.
• PDFs that open without a password but block printing or copying can be unlocked without entering anything.
• The unlocked copy stores pages as images, so text is not selectable. Keep the original too.
• Only unlock files that are yours or that you have permission to use.

Frequently asked questions