Unlock PDF
Remove the password from a PDF you own so it opens without one. The decryption runs locally — neither the file nor the password leaves your device.
- No uploads
- Runs locally
- No sign-up
Your files are processed locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Only unlock PDFs you own or have permission to modify.
How to unlock a PDF
- Add the password-protected PDF by dragging it onto the upload area, or click to browse.
- Enter the document’s password, if it has one.
- Click "Unlock PDF" — the protection is removed locally in seconds.
- Download the unlocked PDF. From now on it opens in any reader without a password.
Remove passwords without handing over the file
Unlocking a PDF is usually about convenience: an old bank statement you archived with a password you are tired of typing, a scanned contract you need to merge or annotate, a document you want to protect again later with a better password. With a typical online tool, removing that protection starts with uploading the still-protected file — and the password — to a stranger’s server. CoolPDF removes the protection where the file already lives. The decryption happens entirely inside your browser tab: the document is read from your own disk, unlocked with the password you type locally, and saved back without a single byte crossing the network. There is no upload to intercept, no log of your password, and no copy left behind. Closing the tab erases every trace of both.
Frequently asked questions
I forgot the password. Can CoolPDF crack it?
No. CoolPDF removes protection only when you know the current password — it is not a password-cracking tool, and AES-256 encryption cannot realistically be broken by guessing.
Is it legal to unlock a PDF?
Yes — for documents you own or have permission to modify, such as your own archived statements. Removing protection from files you have no rights to may violate law or contracts, which is why this page shows a reminder.
Will unlocking change the document?
No. Only the encryption layer is removed — every page, image, and annotation stays exactly as it was in the original.
Read the full guide
How to Unlock a PDF You Have the Password To
CoolPDF is a free, browser-based PDF toolkit. Unlike traditional online PDF tools, CoolPDF processes all files locally on the user’s device using WebAssembly — files are never uploaded to any server. The tools require no account, no email, and no sign-up, and are completely free with no usage limits. This makes CoolPDF suitable for confidential documents such as contracts, medical records, and financial statements.