How to Edit Secured PDF? 5 Effective Ways

You have a PDF document you need to modify, but every time you try to select text, add a comment, or change a word, you're blocked. The file is secured, and it feels like you've hit a digital brick wall. Whether it's a report you need to annotate, a form you need to fill, or a manual you want to copy a section from, a secured PDF can bring your workflow to a halt.

Fortunately, you've come to the right place. This guide will demystify PDF security and provide you with clear, step-by-step methods to edit your secured PDF files. We will cover everything from understanding why your file is locked to safe and effective ways to create an editable version, even if you've forgotten the password.

Part 1. Understanding Why Your PDF is Locked: User vs. Owner Passwords

Before we can solve the problem, we need to diagnose it correctly. Not all "secured" PDFs are the same. PDF security primarily comes in two forms: one that locks you out completely, and one that lets you in but restricts your actions.

What is a User (Open) Password?

A User Password, also known as an "Open Password," is the first line of defense. It functions like a key to a locked door. If a PDF is protected with a User Password, you cannot open or view the document's contents without entering it first.

If you are facing this type of security and do not know the password, your options are unfortunately very limited. Bypassing a User Password typically requires specialized (and often costly) software that attempts to guess the password, a process that can take days, weeks, or even years and is often unsuccessful. For the purposes of this guide, we will assume you can at least open your PDF file.

What is an Owner (Permissions) Password?

This is the most common reason you can't edit a secured PDF. An Owner Password, or "Permissions Password," doesn't stop you from opening the file. You can view the content freely, but the creator of the PDF has set specific restrictions to prevent actions like:

• Editing the text and images
• Copying text and graphics
• Printing the document
• Adding comments or filling out form fields

This is the type of security we will focus on bypassing, as it's the most frequent roadblock for users who need to interact with a document.

Part 2. How to Edit a Secured PDF When You Know the Password

If you have the Owner Password, the process is straightforward. Professional PDF editing software, such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, allows you to enter the password to permanently remove the restrictions.

Step 1. Open the secured PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Step 2. The software will likely prompt you that the file has security settings. Navigate to File > Properties > Security.
Step 3. In the Security Method dropdown, select No Security.
Step 4. You will be prompted to enter the Owner Password. Type it in and click OK.
Step 5. Save the document. The new version will be free of all editing and printing restrictions. You can now edit the secured PDF with the saved document.

Part 3. How to Edit a Secured PDF When You Don't Know the Password

If you've forgotten the password or were sent a file you don't have the password for, don't worry. The following methods don't "crack" the password; instead, they work by creating a brand new, unrestricted copy of your document.

Method 1: Remove Password and Edit Secured Password via TunesKit File Password Recovery

There is a whole category of desktop software built specifically to remove PDF permissions passwords. These tools can be very powerful and often work instantly. TunesKit File Password Recovery is one of the most effective tool for Windows and Mac users to remove the edit permission from secured PDF files.

TunesKit File Password Recovery is an almighty PDF unlocking tool that can help users edit secured PDF in simple clicks. The program can help users recover the forgotten password and remove the password from secured PDF file directly. Besides, TunesKit File Password Recovery also supports unlocking Word/Excel/PPT and ZIP/RAR.

The following steps will show you how to remove password and edit secured PDF file.

Step 1Download and Install Program

After successfully downloading and installing TunesKit File Password Recovery, launch the software, navigate to the PDF tool, and select the Remove PDF restriction command.

Step 2Select a Mode to Remove Password

Now it's time to add your secured PDF file to the program. Just pick the recovery mode that seems right for you and hit the Start Recover button to let the software recover the correct PDF password.

Step 3Unlock and Edit Secured PDF

The software will now initiate password recovery. The time required for recovery is minimal for less complex passwords. Upon completion, the discovered password can be copied instantly using the Copy button.

Method 2: Create an Editable Copy to Edit Secured PDF

This is a recommended method for Windows and Mac users. It works by using a web browser's built-in print function to essentially "re-print" the secured PDF into a new, unsecured one. It leverages the fact that many secured PDFs still allow printing even if they block editing.

Here's how to do it using Google Chrome (the steps are very similar for Microsoft Edge and other modern browsers):

Step 1. Find your secured PDF file on your computer. Right-click on it and choose Open with > Google Chrome.
Step 2. Once the file is open in the browser, click the Print icon in the top-right corner or press Ctrl+P (on Windows) or Cmd+P (on Mac).
Step 3. The print dialog will appear. In the "Destination" field, do not choose your physical printer. Instead, select Save as PDF.
Step 4. Click the Save button. Choose a name and location for your new file.

That's it! The new PDF you just saved is a clean copy. It will look identical to the original, but all the editing and copying restrictions will be gone. You can now open it in any PDF editor and make the changes you need.

Method 3: Unlock Your PDF with Google Drive

Another excellent and free method involves using Google's cloud services. Google Drive has a built-in conversion engine that can strip permissions when you open a PDF with Google Docs.

Step 1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
Step 2. Click the My Drive button and select Upload files. Upload your secured PDF.

Step 3. Once the upload is complete, find the file in your Drive. Right-click on it and select Open with > Google Docs.

Step 4. Google Docs will now perform an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scan and convert your PDF into an editable Google Doc. This may take a minute for larger files.
Step 5. Once it's open in Google Docs, you can make edits directly. However, to get it back into PDF format, go to File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).

This will download a new PDF to your computer that is completely unlocked. You can now edit the downloaded secured PDF file from your computer or Google Docs.

Method 4: Online Tools for Editing Secured PDFs

If you need more advanced editing features that the methods above don't offer, numerous websites provide a full suite of PDF tools.

When you use an online tool, you upload your document to a third-party server. For non-sensitive files like a public manual or a recipe book, this risk is minimal. But for documents containing personal, financial, or confidential information, we strongly recommend using an offline method like TunesKit File Password Recovery.

Smallpdf: This is one of the most popular online PDF tools, known for its clean, user-friendly interface. You would first use their "Unlock PDF" tool to remove the editing restrictions (it will ask you to confirm you have the rights to the file). After downloading the unlocked version, you can re-upload it to their "Edit PDF" tool to add text, images, and shapes.

iLovePDF: Another feature-rich online service that offers a similar workflow. Use their "Unlock PDF" tool to process your file and remove the permissions password. Once the new file is downloaded, you can use their comprehensive "Edit PDF" tool to make your changes, add a signature, or fill out forms.

Soda PDF: Offering a powerful suite of tools accessible online. Like the others, you'll need to process the file through their "Unlock PDF" utility first. Afterward, their online editor provides a robust, desktop-like experience for modifying your document directly in your browser.

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Being unable to edit a secured PDF is a common obstacle, but it's one you can now confidently overcome. By first identifying that you're dealing with an owner or user password, you can choose the right tool for the job. With tools like TunesKit File Password Recovery, you can effortlessly remove both user and owner passwords from secured PDF files.