PDFSafeProtect PDF
Add a password so only people you share it with can open the file. Encrypted entirely in your browser using AES-256, the same standard used by banks and government systems — the file and password never leave your device.
Drop your PDF file here, or click to browse
Max 20MB · encrypted with AES-256 in your browser, never uploaded
How to password-protect a PDF
Upload your PDF, choose a password, and confirm it — the file is re-encrypted with AES-256 entirely in your browser, using a WebAssembly build of qpdf, before you download it. Nobody without the password can open the result.
This is worth doing before emailing a document with financial, medical, or personal details — the password is a second layer of protection if the file ends up somewhere you didn't intend, on top of whatever access controls the sharing channel itself has.
Frequently asked questions
What encryption does this use?
AES-256, the same standard used by banks and government systems — applied entirely in your browser using a WebAssembly build of qpdf, a widely-used open-source PDF encryption tool.
What if I forget the password?
It can't be recovered — there's no backdoor or reset, by design. Keep it somewhere safe, like a password manager, before sharing the protected file.
Can I remove a password later?
Yes — use Unlock PDF with the same password to get back an unprotected copy.
Does this restrict printing or editing separately from opening the file?
No — this tool applies one password required to open the file. It doesn't set separate owner/permission restrictions (like disabling printing while still allowing opening).
Is there a file size limit?
Free accounts can protect files up to 20MB; Premium raises that to 100MB.
Related tools
- Unlock PDF — Remove the password from a protected PDF you have access to.
- Edit Metadata — View and edit a PDF's title, author, subject, keywords, and creator.