Forgot PDF Password? Unlock It with 4 Methods [Updated]

Locked out of an important PDF? You're not alone, and it's a common issue. Whether it's a forgotten password, a restricted file from a colleague, or a download with unexpected protections, accessing a secured PDF can be a hassle.

This guide covers the most effective ways to unlock PDF files, from quick browser tricks to specialized software and online tools. We'll also highlight key security considerations to help you choose the right method. Let's dive in and get your PDF unlocked!

Part 1. How PDFs Are Passworded (Open VS. Permissions Password)

There are two common types of PDF passwords:

Open Password (User Password): This is the more common type. If a PDF prompts you for a password to open and view its content, it's protected by a user password. Without this, you cannot even see the document.

Permissions Password (Owner Password): This password restricts specific actions, even if you can open the PDF. It controls permissions like printing, editing, copying text, or adding comments. You might be able to view the document, but certain functionalities are locked.

Most solutions aim to remove or bypass both types, but understanding the distinction can sometimes guide your choice of tool.

Part 2. Choosing the Best Method: A Quick Comparison

First, let's see a quick summary of all methods here to unlock PDFs when you forgot the open password, permissions password, or even both. Check them out and make your best decision.

Feature/Concern	1️⃣ Online Tool	2️⃣ TunesKit	3️⃣ Google Chrome	4️⃣ PDF to Word
Cost	Often Free (with limits)/Paid Subscriptions	Paid (Free Trials available, pay after finding the password)	Free	Often Free (with limits) / Paid Subscriptions
Security	Moderate (uploading to third-party)	High (local processing)	High (local processing)	Moderate (uploading to third-party)
Ease of Use	High	Very High	Very High	High
Unlocks User Password?	Yes (for weaker passwords)	Yes (most robust for all passwords)	No (you need to know it)	No (you need to know it)
Removes Owner Permissions?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (by changing format)
Best For	Quick unlock of PDFs with forgotten, weaker user passwords; convenience.	Complex passwords, highly sensitive documents, offline use, maximum control.	Removing print/copy restrictions when you can open the PDF.	Extracting content or editing when permission is restricted, and PDF format isn't essential.

Part 3. How to Unlock PDF When Forgot Both Open and Permissions Password

If your PDF files are protected by user password and owner password, you can try the following two different methods to get it unlocked immediately.

Method 1. Unlock PDF with Online PDF Password Remover Tools (Web-based)

If you've truly forgotten the password and can't even open the PDF (i.e., it has a user password), online tools can be a quick and convenient solution. These tools typically use various techniques to try and remove or crack the password.

There are several popular online tools and one of them is iLovePDF. This is a straightforward option, and known for its user-friendly interface. Now, let's learn how to remove PDF password (whether it's user password or permissions password) with iLovePDF step by step.

Step 1. Visit the website of the online PDF password remover - iLovePDF.
Step 2. Click the "Select PDF files" button and select your password-protected PDF. You can often drag and drop the file directly onto the page.
Step 3. Click the "Unlock PDF" button in the lower right corner and the tool will start unlocking the PDF for you. Wait for a minute until the process is done.
Step 4. Once the process is complete, click the "Download unlocked PDFs" button to download the unlocked version of your PDF.

Method 2. Unlock PDF with Dedicated PDF Unlocker (Windows & Mac)

For highly sensitive documents, complex passwords, or if you prefer not to upload your files online, desktop software offers the most robust and secure solution. These tools are typically more powerful and can handle stronger encryption.

The easiest and most reliable PDF unlocker is TunesKit File Password Recovery. With the program, you can recover forgotten password for your important PDFs, whether it's simple or complicated. TunesKit provides three different cracking methods, including Dictionary Attack, Combination Attack, and Brute Force Attack, trying its best to help you find the password with highest success rate. Besides, you can also remove restrictions including copying, printing, editing or annotating the file. Plus, the software is designed with intuitive interface, so anyone can easily handle it.

Here are the quick steps to recover PDF password via TunesKit File Password Recovery.

Step 1Launch TunesKit File Password Recovery and Choose PDF

Download TunesKit File Password Recovery on your macOS or Windows computer. After installation, launch it on the PC. Choose PDF on the main interface. Next, choose Recover PDF Password or Remove PDF Restrictions based on your needs.

Step 2Select a Mode to Recover Password

Then import your encrypted PDF file via the "+" button or drag-and-drop. On the right side of the interface, you can choose a encryption mode accourding to your mode. Try the Dictionary Attack first which can help you recover the forgotten password with the highest success rate.

Step 3Recover the Forgotten Passcode

Now, click the "Start Recover" button and TunesKit File Password Recovery will begin to recover the password for you. Wait a minute and you can then click the Copy button to get it.

Part 4. How to Unlock PDF When Forgot Permissions Password

When you know the open password but are restricted by the permissions password, please try the two methods below to remove the permissions from PDF.

Method 3. Unlock PDF via Google Chrome "Print to PDF" Trick

This is often the first method to try, especially if you can open the PDF but are restricted from printing, copying, or editing (i.e., it has an owner password). It leverages Google Chrome's built-in print functionality to create an unprotected copy.

Here are the steps to unlock PDF using Google Chrome.

Step 1. Drag and drop your password-protected PDF file directly into a Google Chrome browser window. If it has a user password, you'll be prompted to enter it to view the content.
Step 2. Once the PDF is open and viewable (and you've entered the user password if required), click the "Print" icon in Chrome's top-right corner (or press Ctrl + P on Windows, Cmd + P on Mac).

Step 3. In the print dialog box, change the "Destination" to "Save as PDF".

Step 4. Click "Save" and choose a location on your computer. The new PDF file will be a password-free version of your original!

This method essentially "prints" the document content into a new, unprotected PDF, bypassing any owner-level restrictions.

Method 4. Unlock PDF via Converting PDF to Another Format

Sometimes, simply viewing or extracting text is your main goal, and you don't necessarily need the PDF format itself. Converting the PDF to a Word document or another editable format can effectively bypass permissions passwords.

Next, let's show how to convert PDF to Word using Smallpdf.

Step 1. Visit an online tool like Smallpdf's PDF to Word converter.
Step 2. Drag and drop, or click the "CHOOSE FILES" button to upload your password-protected PDF file. If it has a user password, you will likely need to enter it before the conversion can proceed.
Step 3. Then the tool will start to convert your PDF file to the Word document.
Step 4. Once converted, download the editable Word document. The content will be accessible without any PDF-specific restrictions.

Part 5. FAQs Related to Forgot PDF Password

Want to know more about unlocking PDFs when forgotting the password? Here are some quick answers to the most concerned questions.

Part 6. The Bottome Line

Forgetting a PDF password is a common headache, but as you've seen, there's usually a straightforward solution. From the simple Google Chrome workaround for permissions to powerful TunesKit File Password Recovery desktop software for forgotten access passwords, you have a range of tools at your disposal.

Always prioritize the security of your documents, especially when choosing between online and offline solutions. By following the advice in this guide, you should be able to quickly and securely unlock your PDF and get back to what matters most.