It used to be easy to remove a PDF password. Open the file in Preview, Export As PDF and you're done! Since upgrading to Monterey, "Export As PDF" is now greyed out when you have a PDF file open. Is there another way to remove a PDF Password using MacOS built-in tools? (I know I can do it with PDF Expert, but would like a method that works without 3rd party apps.)
MacBook Air (2020 or later)
I just ran another test with Preview Version 11.0 (1033.2) on a PDF file that I protected with a password:
1 - doing a File ➙ Export without a password assigned gave me a password protected file with the same original password.
2 - doing a straight Print ➙ Save as PDF gave me a password free PDF file.
Note: I'm running the latest beta Monterey. Why it didn't do the same 2 days ago when I first did my test (same versions) and the shortcut I don't know.
Have at this excellent write up by @Viking OSX on PDF on another matter but does make mention of Protected Elements of the PDF done by the Owner or Creator of the PDF .
That works for me too and seems the simplest solution.
It has taken me a while to get my head around it because there are now several variables of security settings so several solutions work for some of them (hence the long list of answers on this thread). But this seems to work for all including if you didn't have the owner password of the original.
The biggest problem for me was PDF's where I have a user password but not the owner password. I want to store them without any password so I don't have to search for what the pwd was every time I want to access them. This works and removes the pwd to open the file.
Thanks for sharing
https://capture.dropbox.com/NB73H6U3KYgMi3nM
With my document, I can't Print ->Save as PDF or Export as PDF. I haven't tried with other documents from the same sender, which come each month. I don't know how they were created.
When you say, 'Using Acrobat there (are) many more options than what you can do otherwise.', are you referring to Acrobat Reader, Free Version, or Acrobat Professional, Paid Version? Names may have changed since I last looked at Adobe's site.
Are you referring to this: Export PDFs and images in Preview on Mac - Apple Support?
lp1756 wrote:
Save as PDF int he print dialog is not available for the protected PDF.
Do you not have the password?
I do have the password, which is needed to open the file.
dialabrain wrote:
As Luis suggested, printing to PDF works.
For me, in Monterey 12.0.,1 the PDF dropdown in the dialog box for this protected PDF file has "Save as PDF" greyed out.
lp1756, thank you very much ... I will wait a few days to see in Apple is going to fix this, else I may splash out on PDF Expert to get my workflow back ...
I am having the same issue. Very frustrating when working with dozens of files every day.
I just wish Apple would revert it back to the way it was so we don't have to add another step. Taking that feature out just makes it so less efficient.
As you can see ... "Save as PDF" isn't offered ...
You are absolutely right.
it is also possible to do this with Foxit.
I get the same response for a password if I attempt to print the doc
I tried Export PDF's and images and it did NOT work
Removing a PDF Password in Monterey
