Do I need to know the password?

Yes. Type the password you already have. This removes a password you are allowed to use, and it runs only on the server through cryptpdf. If you were never given the password, there is nothing valid to enter. The download, when the password matches, is named with _unlocked before the .pdf extension.

What if I mistype the password?

You get the message “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”. Check spaces and capitals, then try the password you were actually given. The same message covers encryption this remover is unable to open. Either way, the original file is unchanged on your side until you download a successful _unlocked copy.

Where does the unlocking happen?

On the server only. The PDF is uploaded, decryptPDF checks the password you typed, and the open copy comes back as a download. Use the password you were given, and the server writes the unlocked copy. The privacy policy is the rule for how long that upload is kept. Download the result and store it with your other copies.

What are the size limits?

Free unlocking accepts up to 12 MB per file and eight runs a day. Pro raises the cap to 100 MB. One PDF per run is the working model. If the file is larger than the plan you are on, reduce it only if you are allowed to, or use the Pro cap. The password check is the same either way.

What is the downloaded file called?

The base name of your PDF plus _unlocked.pdf. A file named report.pdf comes back as report_unlocked.pdf. Open it and confirm it no longer asks for the password. You can then merge it, compress it, or extract text from it. Keep the locked original if you still need a copy that prompts.

Is removing a PDF password a different tool?

Removing a password you already know is this unlock page. Type that password, and the server returns a copy named with _unlocked before the .pdf extension. The next person can open the pages without asking you again. A wrong password, or encryption this tool rejects, returns “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”. Keep the locked original if you still want a file that prompts.

Can I unlock a file I do not have the password for?

No. Type the password you already have. This page is for access you are allowed to use, rather than guessing a password you lack. If a colleague owns the file, ask them for the password or for an unlocked copy. A wrong guess returns “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”.

Canonical Unlock PDF Tool

Unlock PDF: open a file when you know the password

Type the password you already have and download a PDF that opens. The remover runs on the server for files you are allowed to unlock.

0 / 8 free server conversions used todayUpgrade for unlimited

Workspace

Fast·Converted on our edge network

Image Converters

PDF Tools

PDF Security

Document Converters

Local Tools

JPG to PNG

JPG → PNG·Converted on our edge network

Drag & drop files here

or browse to upload

JPG → PNG

Drag & drop files here

or browse to upload

JPG → PNG

Written by Safaat Rahman Siham, Founder & Developer at Convertify4u. Contact us.

You already know the password, and you need a PDF that opens without asking again. Type the password you already have, and download a copy named with _unlocked before the extension. This runs on the server only. The password is checked with cryptpdf through decryptPDF. A wrong password, or encryption the remover is unable to open, returns the message “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”. The download uses the file’s base name plus _unlocked.pdf, so report.pdf becomes report_unlocked.pdf. This removes a password you are allowed to use. It is for access you already have, rather than guessing a password you lack. Free files are 12 MB and eight a day. Pro raises the cap to 100 MB. The PDF is uploaded so the password can be removed, and the privacy policy is the rule for how long that upload is kept. Keep your own copy of the original and of the unlocked download.

A password you already have, removed on the server

Type the password you already have. The server checks it and, when it matches, writes a PDF that opens without that prompt.

Server only, with the current password

Unlocking stays on the server. You supply the current password, and cryptpdf attempts decryptPDF. The password is removed on the server, using the password you already know. If the password matches, you get a PDF you can open and pass to other tools, such as text extraction, that need an unlocked file.

What a wrong password looks like

A mismatch, or encryption this path is unable to open, returns “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”. Check caps, spaces, and which password the sender actually gave you. Then try again with the password you already have. Guessing passwords you were never given is outside this tool.

The unlocked file name and the plan caps

The download is the base name plus _unlocked.pdf. Free runs accept 12 MB and eight a day. Pro is 100 MB. The file is uploaded for the removal, and the privacy policy is the rule for retention. Download the result and keep both copies somewhere you control.

How it works

1
Add the locked PDF
Use a file you are allowed to unlock. Free uploads are up to 12 MB, eight a day. Pro accepts up to 100 MB. The work runs on the server.
2
Type the password you already have
Enter the current password exactly. cryptpdf checks it. A wrong password returns “Incorrect password or unsupported encryption”. This step is for a password you already know.
3
Download the _unlocked PDF
The file is named with _unlocked before the extension. Open it once to confirm the prompt is gone, then use that copy for printing, merging, or text extraction.

Use cases

A statement you can open but a form rejects

Some portals refuse a PDF that still asks for a password. Unlock the copy you are allowed to share, then upload that file.

A packet you need to merge or compress next

Other PDF tools expect a file that opens. Remove the password you know, then continue with the _unlocked download.

Text extraction from a digital PDF

PDF to text needs an unlocked file. Unlock first when you know the password, then extract the plain text.

Problems we solve

The message says the password is incorrect

Retype the password you were given, including capitals. Unsupported encryption uses that same message, so a second careful try is the next step.

You were never given the password

This page removes a password you already have. Without that password, there is nothing valid to type, and the file stays locked.

Related guide

Specialized Unlock PDF guides

Trust & privacy

The password you type is the one you have

cryptpdf checks the current password on the server. The tool is for files you are allowed to open.

The privacy policy covers the upload

The PDF is uploaded so the password can be removed. Retention follows the privacy policy. Free is 12 MB and eight a day. Pro is 100 MB.