How to Remove Permissions from PDF (Print, Copy, Edit) — 5 Easy Ways
PDFs are widely used for sharing documents securely. But sometimes you'll receive a file that blocks printing, copying, or editing because of permissions restrictions. In most cases, these are set by the document owner using an owner password (also called a permissions password).
Want to work with the PDF more freely? You can remove these restrictions. This guide explains five practical ways to remove PDF permissions, with and without a password, while also covering privacy, security, and legal considerations.
Part 1. How to Remove Edit Permissions (Password Known)
If you already know the owner password, you can try the following three different methods. Each one has its own advantages and disavantages. Choose one according to your real situations.
Method 1. Remove PDF Permissions with Adobe Acrobat Pro
The easiest and most reliable method is through Adobe Acrobat Pro. Since Adobe developed the PDF format itself, their official tool is considered as the industry standard for creating, editing, and managing PDFs. With Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can remove restrictions including copying text and images, printing the file, editing or annotating the document, and extracting pages.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to remove PDF restrictions via Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Step 1. Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro on your computer. Then click File > Open and select the PDF file that has restrictions enabled.
Step 2. If the file is password-protected, Acrobat will prompt you to enter the password set by the file creator. Once entered, you will gain access to modify the permission settings.
Step 3. Click File > Properties. In the toolbar, select Security. Then select No Security under Security Method.
Step 4. Acrobat will ask you to confirm. Choose OK to eliminate the permissions, such as editing, copying, or printing restrictions.
Step 5. Finally, go to File > Save As, and save a new copy of your PDF without restrictions. It's best to give the unrestricted version a slightly different file name for clarity.
Source: https://www.adobe.com/sa_ar/acrobat/resources/how-to-remove-pdf-password.html
Pros:- It's the official tool, so it's the most accurate and reliable option.
- Gives you full control over password-protected and encrypted PDFs.
Cons:- Paid software, and it requires a subscription (though a free 7-day trial is available).
- Casual users may find the software expensive for a one-time task.
- You must have known the owner password.
Best for:
* Professionals handling sensitive documents.
* Users who already subscribe to Adobe Acrobat.
Method 2. Use Online Tools to Unlock PDF Permissions
If you don't have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro, several online tools can help remove restrictions from PDFs quickly and easily. Popular examples include Smallpdf, iLovePDF, PDF2Go, and SodaPDF. These services typically work in a browser without requiring installation. It can help you remove permissions like copying, printing, and editing restrictions, but also requires a known password.
The steps to remove PDF permissions with online tools are almost the same. Here we'll take Samllpdf as an example.
Step 1. Open your browser and go to a trusted online PDF unlocking website named Smallpdf.
Step 2. Upload the restricted PDF by dragging it into the upload area or selecting it manually.
Step 3. If the file requires a password, enter it when prompted.
Step 4. The tool will process the file and remove restrictions.
Step 5. Click Download button to get the unrestricted PDF to your local computer.
Pros:- Most online tools are free for basic use and take just a few seconds.
- Works on any device with a browser, no installation needed.
- Drag-and-drop interfaces make them easy to use.
Cons:- Uploading sensitive or confidential PDFs to third-party servers can be risky.
- Many services restrict file size unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
- They only unlock PDFs but don't provide advanced editing.
Best for:
* Casual users who only need to unlock PDFs occasionally.
* Non-sensitive documents (e.g., eBooks, manuals, forms).
Method 3. Print to PDF via Google Chrome Browser
If the PDF only blocks printing or copying (not fully encrypted), you can often "print" it into a new unrestricted PDF. This effectively creates a fresh copy without the original permissions. Using this method, you can easily remove printing and copying restrictions, and basic read-only restrictions.
Next, let's learn how to use this method on Google Chrome.
Step 1. Open the restricted PDF in Google Chrome on Windows or Mac.
Step 2. Enter the permission password if required.
Step 3. Find the Print button and click it. Alternatively, Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac).
Step 4. In the Destination section, select Save as PDF from the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Click Save to confirm and the new PDF will be created without the original restrictions.
Pros:- Uses built-in features of your operating system for free.
- Works on Windows and macOS out of the box, no extra software needed.
- The process is quick and thus ideal for non-sensitive files.
Cons:- Doesn't work on all PDFs, especially if password-protected.
- Bookmarks, links, and some formatting may not carry over.
Best for:
* Quick fixes when you just need a copy of a restricted PDF.
* Users who don't want to install third-party software.
Part 2. How to Remove Permissions from PDF Without Password
If you don't know the owner's password, there are two ways to help you remove the permissions with ease. Highly recommend you try the professional TunesKit File Password Recovery tool as it can help you remove it in seconds with a 100% success rate.
Method 4. Use Professional PDF Permissions Remover
Besides Adobe Acrobat or similar PDF editing software, you can also try some professional PDF permissions removal tool. The most trusted and securest one is TunesKit File Password Recovery.
This software is quite useful, especially when you want to remove the PDF restrictions but don't know the password. Thanks to its advanced technology, you can easily unlock and remove permissions from PDF in seconds.
With TunesKit, you can remove not only printing, copying, and editing restrictions, but also encryption-based restrictions with password. Besides PDF, it also allows you to remove restrictions from Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.
The following are the simple step-by-step guide to remove PDF restrictions with TunesKit.
Step 1. Download and install the reliable TunesKit File Password Recovery.
Step 2. Launch the program and selection PDF option on the main interface.
Step 3. Select Remove PDF Restrictions and then import the restricted PDF to the program.
Step 4. Now click Start Remove button, and TunesKit File Password Recovery will begin to remove permissions password from PDF file.
Step 5. Wait a few seconds, and the unrestricted version will be saved to your local computer. You can click Open Folder to find it.
Pros:- Removes PDF permissions without password in seconds.
- Easy to operate in a few clicks with 100% success rate.
- A comprehensive permissions removal tool for Windows and macOS.
Cons:- You need to install the software on your computer.
Best for:
* Users who want to remove PDF restrictions without password.
* Businesses that need an all-in-one document management solution.
Method 5. Use Google Drive to Remove PDF Restrictions
Google Drive has a built-in feature that allows you to open PDFs in Google Docs, which automatically creates an editable version of the document. This method effectively bypasses many restrictions. In this way, you can remove copying and editing restrictions, as well as basic formatting restrictions.
Now, follow the step-by-step guide to remove PDF restrictions with Google Drive.
Step 1. Log into your Google account and open Google Drive.
Step 2. Click + New button and choose File upload to upload the restricted PDF file.
Step 3. Right-click on the uploaded file, then select Open with > Google Docs.
Step 4. Google Docs will convert the PDF into an editable document.
Step 5. Save or download the file again as a new PDF without restrictions.
Pros:- No need for premium subscriptions.
- Files are stored securely in your Google account.
- Allows you to not just unlock but also make edits.
Cons:- Complex layouts, images, or fonts may not convert accurately.
- Doesn't work with highly encrypted PDFs.
Best for:
* Students or professionals needing quick edits.
* Text-heavy PDFs (like reports or articles).
Part 3. Comparison of Methods to Remove Permissions from PDF
Here is a quick summary of all five different methods to remove limited permissions from PDF with or without a password. You can try the first three methods if you know the permission password. Otherwise, try the last two solutions to solve the problem. Hope you can make a wise decision.
| Method | Tools Required | Cost | Difficulty | Permissions Removed | Best For | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Adobe Acrobat Pro | Adobe Acrobat Pro | Paid (subscription, free trial available) | Easy | All restrictions (printing, copying, editing, encryption) | Professionals, businesses, frequent PDF users | Expensive for casual users |
| 2️⃣ Online PDF Unlocking Tools | Smallpdf, iLovePDF, PDF2Go, etc. | Free (basic), Paid (premium) | Very Easy | Most restrictions (printing, copying, editing) | Occasional users, non-sensitive documents | Privacy concerns, file size limits |
| 3️⃣ Print to PDF | Built-in OS print to PDF | Free | Very Easy | Basic restrictions (printing/copying) | Quick fixes, casual users | Doesn't work for password-protected files, may lose formatting |
| 4️⃣ PDF Unlocker | TunesKit File Password Recovery | Paid (cheaper than Adobe) | Very Easy | All restrictions (printing, copying, editing, encryption) | Users wanting full features without Adobe | Need to install the tool on your computer |
| 5️⃣ Google Drive | Google Drive + Google Docs | Free | Easy | Copying, editing restrictions | Students, quick edits | Formatting issues, doesn't work on encrypted files |
Part 4. FAQs Related to Removing PDF Permissions
Here are some common questions about get rid of PDF restrictions. Check them out and get the quick answers to them.
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Q1. Is it legal to remove PDF restrictions?
Only remove permissions if you own the content or have rights to modify it. Unauthorized removal may breach terms of service or copyright laws.
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Q2. Can I remove PDF permissions on mobile?
Yes, mobile apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader and Smallpdf let you remove permissions if you have the password to unlock first.
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Q3. How can I check PDF permissions?
Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open your PDF. Check File > Properties > Security tab to see restrictions details.
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Q4. What if I forgot the PDF password?
If you forgot the PDF permissions password, you can use advanced password recovery software named TunesKit File Password Recovery, which can help you remove permissions in seconds.
Part 5. Final Thoughts
Removing permissions from PDFs can be straightforward with the right tools and knowledge. Whether using professional software like Adobe Acrobat, browser features in Chrome, or online services, there's a method to suit various needs and skill levels. For those who don't know the permissions password, consider TunesKit File Password Recovery, which offer a quick fix for removing PDF restrictions, along with comprehensive file permission management.
