Decrypt PDF
Remove password protection from an encrypted PDF.
Your PDF and password are processed locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Need to add a password instead? Try Encrypt PDF.
About Decrypt PDF
This Decrypt PDF tool removes password protection from an encrypted PDF in your browser. Upload a locked file, enter the user or owner password, and download an unlocked copy that opens without a password. It supports AES-256 and RC4 encryption and detects whether a file is protected before you decrypt. Designed for developers, support teams, and anyone who legitimately needs to access a PDF they have the password for — for example before merging, editing, or re-encrypting with a new password. Processing is entirely local, so your document and password never leave your device.
Features
- Removes password protection from AES-256 and RC4 encrypted PDFs
- Accepts either the user (open) or owner password
- Detects encryption type before you decrypt
- Rejects files that are not password-protected
- Downloads an unlocked PDF that opens without a password
- Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server
How to use the Decrypt PDF
- Drop or select the password-protected PDF.
- Confirm the tool detected encryption (algorithm shown under the filename).
- Enter the PDF password — user or owner password both work.
- Click Decrypt & download and save the unlocked file.
- Keep the unlocked copy secure; it no longer requires a password to open.
Example
Input
report-locked.pdf · Password: •••••• · AES-256
Output
report-locked-unlocked.pdf — opens without a password
Removing AES-256 password protection with the correct open password.
Common errors & troubleshooting
- This PDF is not password-protected. — The file has no encryption dictionary. Only locked PDFs need this tool — open the file normally or use Encrypt PDF to add a password.
- Incorrect password. — Double-check the user or owner password. Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Unsupported encryption. — Some rare PDF encryption schemes (such as certain AES-128 variants) are not supported yet. Try opening in Adobe Acrobat and re-saving, or use RC4 encryption when creating the file.
- The PDF will not load at all. — Make sure the file is a valid PDF and not corrupted. Re-download the original if needed.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Decrypt PDF do?
- It removes password protection from an encrypted PDF when you supply the correct password, producing a new file that opens without a password.
- Which passwords work?
- Either the user (open) password or the owner password can unlock the file, as long as it matches what was set when the PDF was encrypted.
- What encryption types are supported?
- AES-256 and RC4 (40-bit and 128-bit) are supported. The tool detects the algorithm automatically when you upload the file.
- Will decrypting change the document content?
- The tool removes encryption only. Page content, fonts, and layout stay the same; the output simply no longer requires a password to open.
- Does decrypting upload my file anywhere?
- No. The unlock step runs locally in your browser, so your PDF and password stay on your device.
- Can I re-encrypt after decrypting?
- Yes. Use Encrypt PDF on the unlocked file to set a new password or different permissions.
Related tools
- Encrypt PDF — Password-protect a PDF with AES-256 or RC4 encryption.
- Merge PDFs — Combine multiple PDFs into one, with reordering.
- Split PDF — Extract pages or ranges (e.g. 1-3,5,7-9) into a new PDF.
- Watermark PDF — Add a diagonal text watermark to every page.
- PDF to Text — Extract selectable text from a PDF as plain text or Markdown.
- Rotate PDF — Rotate all pages or a selection by 90/180/270°.
- Compress PDF — Shrink a PDF by re-rendering each page to a JPEG at a chosen quality and resolution.
All ArrayKit tools