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How to password-protect a PDF

By the Fusion Office team · Updated

Quick answer

Open Protect PDF, choose the file, type a password twice and press Protect PDF. The PDF is encrypted with AES-256 and can only be opened with that password. To remove a password you know, use Unlock PDF.

Add a password step by step

  1. 1Open Protect PDF and choose one or more PDFs.
  2. 2Type a strong password and repeat it.
  3. 3Decide what people who open it may do: allow printing, copying text and editing, or not.
  4. 4Press Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.

Encryption happens in your browser: neither the file nor the password is sent anywhere.

Choosing and sharing the password

  • Use at least 12 characters, or a short phrase of unrelated words. Short or common passwords can be guessed.
  • Send the password by a different route than the file, for example the PDF by email and the password by text message.
  • Store the password somewhere safe: a forgotten password can't be recovered.

Remove a password or restrictions

If you know the password and are tired of typing it, Unlock PDF saves a copy that opens without one. Some PDFs open freely but block printing or copying; Remove restrictions clears those permission flags on files you're allowed to use.

A password protects the whole file, but anyone with the password sees everything. To share a document with some details hidden, redact them first.