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Password-protect a PDF
Add an open password to a PDF with AES-256 encryption, and optionally block printing, copying or editing.
How it works
- Encryption is done on your device by qpdf compiled to WebAssembly, using AES-256, the strongest method the PDF standard offers.
- Every current PDF reader, including Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, Edge, macOS Preview and phone viewers, can open the result with the password.
Questions
Can you recover a forgotten password?
No, and neither can anyone else: that is the point of AES-256. Keep the password safe.
How strong are the print and copy restrictions?
They are honoured by mainstream readers but are not encryption-grade: some tools ignore them. The open password is the real protection.