How to actually remove a password from a PDF using Preview

Question

How to actually remove a password from a PDF using Preview

I've been sent a password-protected PDF, and I know the password. I'd like to save out a non-password-protected version, so I don't have to worry about forgetting the password years later!

There's another thread from 2017 that purports to offer a solution, but the link only talks about locking and unlocking the file. Apple's support page only offers how to encrypt the PDF, not remove the encryption.

I'm on OS 10.13.6. When I enter the password and Duplicate the file in Preview, all the pages turn blank.

Does anyone know if removing a password from a PDF is possible?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Mar 22, 2019 2:55 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

JTFCD

Level 1

136 points

Mar 22, 2019 4:23 AM in response to blahblahblahblh

If you only have Preview and you know the password, do the following:

Open PDF in Preview, type in your password

Go to print

Bottom left corner of window should be a drop down 'save as PDF'

Save as PDF and the password should be removed.

Reply

Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Mar 22, 2019 3:22 AM in response to blahblahblahblh

Once you enter the password to open the PDF, hold the option key and choose "Save as…" from the "File" menu and save.

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 22, 2019 8:10 AM in response to dialabrain

I tried it, Preview was able to remove the Acrobat-created password fine. So it's either corrupted as you suggest (but then I'm surprised Acrobat could remove it); or it was created in some strange fashion. Either way, problem solved!

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 22, 2019 3:37 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks dialabrain, but I get the same problem: a PDF with blank pages numbered 1-10.

I see that the original PDF's page numbering isn't 1-10, but instead:

1-2-1-2-1-2-3-4-1-2.

Presumably this is because the sender stitched together four separate PDFs into one.

Reply

Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Mar 22, 2019 8:04 AM in response to blahblahblahblh

I'm guessing that the PDF was created/password added with Adobe Acrobat rather than Preview.

You're welcome. You can always test your idea by creating a password protected PDF in Acrobat Pro and see if you can remove it using Preview. I would do it but I'm not paying $450 for Acrobat 2017 or subscribing. 😎

Reply

Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Mar 22, 2019 8:22 AM in response to blahblahblahblh

Well I'm glad it's solved. It really made little sense you could open it in Preview using the password but not save it without the pages being blank. Once it's open and you can read it should save what you see. Beats me. 😎

Reply

Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Mar 22, 2019 3:42 AM in response to blahblahblahblh

You're welcome. Without access to the PDF in question I can't say what the issue may be with it. It's possible it's corrupt. I do know the method works. I tested it just to be sure before I posted.

Reply

Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Mar 22, 2019 4:29 AM in response to JTFCD

FWIW, the issue isn't removing the password, it's the fact the pages become blank.

Reply

Answer 9

Mar 22, 2019 7:54 AM in response to dialabrain

I'm guessing that the PDF was created/password added with Adobe Acrobat rather than Preview.

JTFCD: I tried your solution (nice idea) but the resulting PDF has blank pages.

I did some more digging, and the below solution, from the Adobe forums, worked using Acrobat Pro (which I have):

If you know the password, and have access to Acrobat, then you should be able to remove the password security. Just choose File > Properties after you open the PDF, and click the Security tab in the Properties dialog box to change the security settings. Unfortunately, this isn't something that you can do in Reader.

Thanks for all your assistance guys.

Reply

How to actually remove a password from a PDF using Preview

Similar questions