Choose the right password action
Add password is for an unprotected PDF or for a protected PDF whose current password you know. Change password replaces the existing password, while Remove password creates a new copy that opens without asking for one.
A password tool does not recover, bypass or guess a forgotten password. For any PDF that is already protected, enter its current password and make sure you have permission to open and update the document.
Create protection you can manage
Use a strong, unique password and store it in a trusted password manager. Anyone who needs the PDF must receive the password through an appropriate channel, ideally separate from the document itself.
The protected result is a new PDF, so keep the original only where your document-retention policy allows it. Open the downloaded copy and test the new password before removing any source file.
- Avoid names, dates and reused passwords
- Store the password before closing the tool
- Share the file and password through separate channels
- Test the downloaded PDF in your normal viewer
Working with protected PDFs in other tools
When a protected PDF is used with PDF to Excel, page layout, annotation or PDF-to-image tools, enter its current password once with the upload. For a multi-file merge, each selected PDF has its own password field because the files may use different passwords.
Files are sent to the processing server and handled in a temporary request workspace. Passwords are used only for that processing request and are not included in analytics events.
Organize your document before adding password protection
Complete extraction, splitting, layout changes, page numbering and watermarking before adding a final password. The browser utilities ask for a protected input’s current password once, unlock it on the server, and reuse that working copy for subsequent edits. Their results are unprotected, so apply your preferred password to the finished result.
A watermark labels a document while a password controls opening the protected file; they serve different purposes. Password operations use the processing server. No tool here recovers an unknown password.
Keep everyday document work close with the Do Scan app
Use the free web tools for the file in front of you. When paperwork is a regular part of your day, the Do Scan app brings scanning, offline OCR and PDF management together on your phone. Capture a new paper document, recognize its text and keep your document workflow on your device.
Get Do Scan from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or from Google Play for Android using the links below. Explore the app features to decide whether its on-device workflow suits your receipts, notes, forms and recurring document tasks. The free web tools remain available without an app install or account.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Do Scan Add, Remove or Change PDF Password tool free to use online?+
Yes. You can use this web tool for free without creating an account. For private offline scanning, OCR, PDF management and more on-device document workflows, get the Do Scan app.
Can I remove a PDF password without knowing it?+
No. You must enter the current password and have permission to open and update the PDF.
Can I change an existing PDF password?+
Yes. Choose Change, enter the current password, then enter and confirm the new password.
What happens when merged PDFs use different passwords?+
Enter the matching password beside each protected PDF. Leave the field blank for any file that is not protected.
Get Do Scan for offline scanning, OCR and PDF management on iPhone, iPad or Android.