Preview encryption checkbox not working

When I try to encrypt a PDF with preview, I check the encrypt checkbox and it just darkens a little but nothing happens.

I also just noticed that when I print to PDF the Security Options button does not work. Pushing it does nothing.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), null

Posted on Mar 6, 2018 9:24 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 10, 2018 6:05 AM

Found a work-around that allows me to encrypt a PDF in Preview (at least in the version included with macOS 10.13.3):


  1. Open the PDF in Preview.
  2. Choose File>Print
  3. In lower left corner of the dialog box that pops up, click "PDF"
  4. In the drop-down menu which appears, choose "Save as PDF..."
  5. In the pop-up which appears, click "Security Options..."
  6. Check "Require password to open document"
  7. Fill in the password in the two places indicated
  8. Click "OK"
  9. Click "Save"


It worked for me. Still not sure why the regular method is not working. It worked for me a couple of days ago.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 10, 2018 6:05 AM in response to John McN

Found a work-around that allows me to encrypt a PDF in Preview (at least in the version included with macOS 10.13.3):


  1. Open the PDF in Preview.
  2. Choose File>Print
  3. In lower left corner of the dialog box that pops up, click "PDF"
  4. In the drop-down menu which appears, choose "Save as PDF..."
  5. In the pop-up which appears, click "Security Options..."
  6. Check "Require password to open document"
  7. Fill in the password in the two places indicated
  8. Click "OK"
  9. Click "Save"


It worked for me. Still not sure why the regular method is not working. It worked for me a couple of days ago.

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Preview encryption checkbox not working

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