How to password-protect a PDF
- Add your PDFDrop a PDF onto the box, or tap Choose PDF.
- Set a passwordType the password twice and choose what people may do once it's open.
- ProtectPress Protect PDF, then download, email or share the locked file.
Questions and answers
How strong is the protection?
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the same standard banks use. A long password with letters, numbers and symbols is very hard to crack.
What if I forget the password?
It can't be recovered, by us or anyone else. Keep a copy of the original file or store the password safely.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Every tool runs inside your own browser, so your files stay on your device. The only exceptions are when you choose “Email” or “QR code”: then the finished file is sent to our server so it can be emailed or downloaded by link, and it's deleted automatically.
Is it really free?
Yes. PDFSorted is free to use with no sign-up and no watermark. The site is supported by ads.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and Linux. On phones you can also use Share to send the file straight to WhatsApp, Gmail or another app.
How does sharing with a QR code work?
After your file is ready, press “QR code”. We create a private download link and a QR code. Anyone who scans it can download the file for 24 hours; after that the file is deleted from our server.