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Password Protect a PDF

Add an opening password with AES-256 encryption. Choose printing and copying permissions, then download a protected PDF that has been checked in your browser.

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Drop your PDF to protect with a password

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Your files stay on your device — 100% private

PDF, APPLICATION/PDF

Add an opening password to a PDF

Create a protected copy that asks for a password when opened. Keep the password somewhere safe and test the downloaded PDF in the reader your recipient will use before sharing it.

How it works

Choose your file

Drag and drop or select files from your device. Document contents stay in your browser.

Run the tool

Choose any available options, then process or inspect the file.

Review the result

Check the outcome and download a file when the tool creates one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a PDF, enter an opening password, set printing and copying options, and select Protect PDF. The tool checks that the saved copy requires the password and keeps the same page count before download.
The tool creates a 256-bit AES encrypted PDF. It uses a separate, automatically generated owner password for the file's permission settings.
Yes. You can allow or disallow printing and text copying. PDF readers may handle permission flags differently, so use the opening password to control who can view the file.
The tool cannot recover a forgotten password. Save it in a trusted password manager and keep a copy of the original PDF.
The tool uses standard PDF AES-256 encryption and verifies the file in the browser before download. PDF readers can still differ, so open the result in the viewer you plan to use before sharing it.
No. PDF encryption happens in your browser. The site may contact its API for account and usage details, but the document contents and password are not sent for this operation.

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Password Protect a PDF Before Sharing

Use this PDF password protector to add an opening password to a document before sharing it. Choose a PDF, enter the password recipients will need, and decide whether printing and text copying are allowed. The tool creates an AES-256 encrypted copy in your browser.

Before offering the download, One23PDF checks that the copy asks for a password, opens with the password you chose, and retains the original page count. Keep the password separate from the file when you share it. Permission controls depend on the PDF reader and should not be treated as a substitute for the opening password.

Choose the Access Your PDF Needs

Require an Opening Password

Recipients need the password you set before a standard PDF viewer will open the protected copy.

Set Printing and Copying Permissions

Choose whether compliant PDF readers allow printing and text extraction. Some readers may ignore these permission flags.

Use AES-256 Encryption

The new PDF uses 256-bit AES encryption and a separate, automatically generated owner password.

Check the Protected File

The browser verifies the password prompt and page count before making the protected PDF available for download.

How to Add a Password to a PDF

  1. 1

    Choose Your PDF

    Add a PDF from your device. File size follows the tool's upload limit.

  2. 2

    Set a Password and Permissions

    Enter the opening password, then choose whether printing and text copying are allowed.

  3. 3

    Protect and Download

    Create the protected copy. Once verification finishes, download it and open it in your preferred PDF reader with the chosen password.

When a PDF Opening Password Helps

  • Share a personal document with a recipient who knows the password
  • Add an opening password to a report or proposal before sending it
  • Create a protected copy while keeping the original unchanged

What if You Forget the Password?

One23PDF cannot recover a forgotten opening password. Save it in a trusted password manager before sharing the protected PDF.

Will a Digital Signature Stay Valid?

Protecting a PDF rewrites its structure and may invalidate existing digital signatures. Keep the original signed file if signature validity matters.