Protect PDF
Add a password to your PDF to restrict access.
How to use Protect PDF
Upgrade to Pro
Password protection is a Pro feature. Visit Pricing to upgrade.
Open the Protect tool
Go to Tools and click Protect PDF.
Upload your PDF
Drop the PDF you want to protect.
Enter a password
Type a strong password. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Store it in a password manager.
Protect and download
Click Protect PDF. The downloaded file requires the password to open.
Tips for best results
Use a unique password for each protected document.
Share the password through a different channel from the document (for example, send the PDF by email and the password by text message).
AES-256 encryption is applied, which is the same standard used by banks and governments.
Common questions
What happens if I forget the password?
There is no recovery option for a forgotten password on a modern AES-256 encrypted PDF. Store your password in a password manager immediately after protecting the file.
Does the password prevent printing?
The standard protection prevents opening. To also restrict printing and copying, you need to set additional permissions, which will be available in a future update.