A password-protected PDF is great for security, right up until you have to type that password every single time you open your own bank statement or payslip. If you know the password and simply want to stop being asked for it, you can strip the protection out for good. We at GetMyPassword show you how to remove a PDF password on a Mac, on Windows, and with Adobe Acrobat — plus the one rule that keeps this honest and legal.
Remove a PDF password on a Mac with Preview
Every Mac already has the tool you need — no downloads required:
- Open the PDF in Preview and type the password to unlock it.
- Choose File → Export (or Print → Save as PDF).
- Save the file under a new name — leave the password field empty.
The exported copy opens instantly from then on, with no password prompt at all. Your original protected file stays untouched, so nothing is lost.
Remove it with Adobe Acrobat (Windows or Mac)
If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, it can delete the protection permanently. Open the PDF, enter the password, then go to Tools → Protect → Advanced Options → Remove Security. You can also open File → Properties → Security and set the Security Method to No Security, then save. Note that this needs a paid Acrobat subscription or free trial — the free Reader can’t remove protection.
A free option in your browser
On Windows without Acrobat, the quickest trick uses Google Chrome: open the PDF in Chrome, enter the password, then press Ctrl + P and choose Save as PDF as the destination. The newly saved file has no password. It’s the same idea as the Mac Preview method — you’re re-saving an already-unlocked document as a clean copy.
| Tool | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Preview (Mac) | Quick, built-in | Free |
| Chrome (any OS) | No software to install | Free |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Permanent, advanced control | Paid |
One important rule
Every legitimate method above requires you to know the password first — these tools remove protection from documents you’re entitled to open, not crack ones you aren’t. If you’ve genuinely lost the password to your own file, contact whoever issued it for a fresh copy. And if you’re removing a password because typing it is a hassle, consider keeping the file in an encrypted folder instead, and storing the password itself in a manager — our guide to password managers explains how.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove a password from a PDF for free?
On a Mac, open the PDF in Preview, enter the password, then use File then Export to save an unlocked copy. On any computer, open it in Google Chrome, enter the password, press Ctrl + P and choose Save as PDF.
Can I remove a PDF password without knowing it?
No legitimate tool removes protection without the password — that safeguard is the whole point. If you’ve lost it on your own document, ask the sender or issuer for an unprotected copy.
Does removing the password change the PDF content?
No. These methods re-save the same pages without encryption. The text, images and layout stay exactly the same — only the password prompt disappears.