PDF Unlocker

PDF Unlocker creates a separate PDF that no longer requires the password you already know. Provide a valid current password for a file you are authorized to decrypt.

• You know the open password and want a working copy without that prompt.
• A later local tool rejected the file as encrypted and you are allowed to decrypt it.

• Decrypt an authorized copy so PDF Extract, Split, or Merge can load it.
• Confirm with pdf.js first whether an open password is actually required.
• Keep the encrypted original and work from {base}-unlocked.pdf.

pdf.js inspects whether a PasswordException occurs. Decrypt uses @neslinesli93/qpdf-wasm: the PDF is written into the WASM filesystem, then qpdf --password=… --decrypt. The output is verified by opening it with the shared inspectPdf helper.

Input

One PDF, up to 50 MB.

Output

{base}-unlocked.pdf

Engine

QPDF WASM from /wasm. If that binary fails to load, unlock cannot run.

1. Upload the encrypted PDF.
2. Wait for the password-required check.
3. Enter the password that currently opens it.
4. Click Unlock PDF if it does not start automatically.
5. Open {base}-unlocked.pdf and confirm there is no password prompt.

Successful decryption writes an unencrypted PDF. The workflow does not intentionally resize, reorder, or rasterize pages. Review forms, annotations, and bookmarks. Rewriting typically invalidates certificate signatures.

• Wrong password returns an error and no file.
• Damaged PDFs can fail.
• Encryption schemes QPDF cannot handle will fail.
• Permissions-only restrictions without a usable password are outside this interface.

The PDF and password stay in the browser during decryption. The page still fetches the QPDF WASM asset from /wasm. No unlock API route is used.

• PDF Password Protector adds encryption; Unlock removes it when the password is known.
• PDF Editor & Signer sends files to a server-backed editor and is not a decryptor.

• Confirm the download opens without the old password.
• Keep the encrypted original if you still need it.
• Open a page with forms or annotations after the rewrite.
• If QPDF cannot handle the encryption scheme, the run fails and no file is written.