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Password-protect a PDF

Add an open password to a PDF with AES-256 encryption, and optionally block printing, copying or editing.

How it works

  1. Encryption is done on your device by qpdf compiled to WebAssembly, using AES-256, the strongest method the PDF standard offers.
  2. Every current PDF reader, including Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, Edge, macOS Preview and phone viewers, can open the result with the password.

Questions

Can you recover a forgotten password?

No, and neither can anyone else: that is the point of AES-256. Keep the password safe.

How strong are the print and copy restrictions?

They are honoured by mainstream readers but are not encryption-grade: some tools ignore them. The open password is the real protection.