Securing confidential information in a PDF file with a password is a great way to prevent unauthorized access. However, there may be times when you need to remove the password protection so that the PDF can be viewed by anyone. This guide shows how to remove a password from a PDF on your Mac, as long as you know the original password.
Content
- Remove Password From PDF on Mac Using Adobe Pro
- Remove a Password from a PDF File Using Preview
- Remove a Password From a PDF Using Your Web Browser
- Remove Password From PDF on Mac Using Third-Party Apps
Remove Password From PDF on Mac Using Adobe Pro
Adobe Acrobat is responsible for creating the PDF file format (the company released the PDF specification in 1993), so it makes sense to remove a password from a PDF file on your Mac with their software. The only caveat is that you need Acrobat Pro, which is paid software. However, there is a free trial that lets you use it without paying for up to seven days – plenty of time to remove a password.
To remove a password from a PDF file on your Mac using Adobe Pro, download, install, and launch the software on your Mac. Choose Tools -> Protect a PDF.
Select Remove Security to remove the password.
If the document has a Document Open password, click OK to remove it. If the document has a permissions password, type the correct password in the Enter Password box, and click OK.
After the PDF is unlocked, be sure to save the document so that others can access it as well.
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Remove a Password from a PDF File Using Preview
If you don’t want to download and install Adobe Pro just to remove a password from a PDF file on your Mac, use the native PDF reader in macOS. The process takes a few more steps, but is still easy.
Open the password-protected PDF file by right-clicking the PDF file you wish to unprotect. Select Open With, followed by Preview. You can also double-click on the file. Either method will launch the file in Preview.
As the file is password-protected, Preview will ask you to enter the password before you can view any content.
Type your password in the given box, and press Enter. If the password is correct, you will be able to view the PDF file in Preview.
Click on the File menu, followed by Save… Alternatively, press the shortcut keys Command + S. Save your PDF file as a new document, and rename it so that you don’t confuse it with the password-protected version. This step also allows you to choose a new location for your now-unprotected PDF – like a downloads folder or somewhere in iCloud for quick access in the future.
When you launch the newly saved PDF file in any PDF reader, including Preview, you will see that it does not ask for a password anymore. The file is ready to be sent to anyone, and they will no longer have to enter a password to access its content.
Remove a Password From a PDF Using Your Web Browser
Removing a password from a PDF using your web browser is a clever workaround that utilizes the print-to-PDF feature available in most modern browsers, like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on your Mac. This method doesn’t require the installation of additional software.
Open the password-protected PDF file in your web browser by dragging the file into the URL bar of an open browser window or by using the browser’s Open File option, typically found in the File menu. You’ll be prompted to enter the password.
With the PDF file opened, select the Print option from the File menu (or press Command + P). Click the PDF button at the bottom of the print dialog window.
Name the document, and choose where you want to save it, then click the Save button.
Remove Password From PDF on Mac Using Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party PDF readers and editors that can be used to remove a password from a PDF file on your Mac. One of the most popular options is PDF Expert.
To remove a password with PDF Expert, start by downloading and installing the app from the Mac App Store, or get the free trial version from the official website. Once you have it installed, open the password-protected PDF file from within the application.
Click on the File menu at the top left of the screen, and select the Change Password option. Click Remove Password to unlock the document.
Each method to remove a password from a PDF file on your Mac – Adobe Pro, Preview, and third-party – has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best fits your needs and comfort level. If you are a Linux user, learn how to remove a password from a PDF in Linux.
Image credit: DALL-E. All screenshots by David Morelo.
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David Morelo –
Staff Writer
David Morelo is a professional content writer in the technology niche, covering everything from consumer products to emerging technologies and their cross-industry application. His interest in technology started at an early age and has only grown stronger over the years.
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