wtfpdf

Protect a PDF

Add a password, and choose what people can do once the file is open.

Drop a PDF here

Your files stay on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

How to password protect a PDF

  1. Drop your PDF on the box above, or choose it from your device.
  2. Enter a password to open the file, an owner password, or both.
  3. Under Allow people to, untick anything you do not want readers to do, such as Print or Copy text and images.
  4. Select Protect PDF. The protected file downloads to your device.

Private by design

Your file is never uploaded. The PDF engine runs in this browser tab and the result is saved straight to your device. You can check: open your browser’s network panel while you work and you will see no request carrying your file. After your first visit it even works offline. How wtfpdf works

Questions

Is my PDF or my password uploaded?

No. The file is encrypted in this browser tab. Neither the file nor the password leaves your device.

How strong is the encryption?

wtfpdf protects files with AES-256, the strongest encryption the PDF format offers.

Can I stop people printing or copying from my PDF?

Yes. Set an owner password and untick Print or Copy text and images. Readers that follow the PDF standard respect these limits.

Why would I set an owner password?

Without one, anyone with the password to open the file gets full access. The owner password lets you, and only you, change the permissions later.

What if I forget the password?

wtfpdf cannot recover it. Keep the password somewhere safe, or keep an unprotected copy.

Can I password protect a PDF on my iPhone or Android phone?

Yes. wtfpdf runs in any modern mobile browser, with nothing to install and no account.