Security

Password protect a PDF

Set a password on the document and choose what a reader is allowed to do with it — printing, copying, modifying. The point that web tools cannot answer: to password-protect a file on a website, you first upload the unprotected version and hand over the password. PDFlick applies the encryption where the file already is.

Coming Soon iOS 26.2 or later · iPadOS 26.2 or later · macOS 26.2 or later

Also searched as: password protect PDF · encrypt PDF · lock PDF · add password to PDF

How to password protect a PDF

On iPhone & iPad

Open the document and tap Protect PDF.
Set the password you want required to open it.
Choose the permissions — whether printing, copying and modifying are allowed.
Save the protected copy and share it. Send the password by a different channel.

On Mac

Open the PDF and choose Protect.
Enter the password and set permissions.
⌘S saves the encrypted document.

What makes it different

Uses the standard PDF encryption facilities provided by Apple's PDFKit, so any compliant reader can open the file with the password.
Permissions control printing, copying and modification independently of the open password.
Send the password over a different channel than the document — emailing both together defeats the exercise.

Protect PDF — questions

Can I remove a password from a PDF?

You can open a protected document by entering its password and save an unprotected copy. PDFlick cannot break or recover a password you do not know, by design.

How strong is the protection?

It uses standard PDF encryption, so its strength depends heavily on the password you choose. A short or reused password is the weak link, not the format.

Does password protection hide redacted content?

No, and this matters: a password controls access to the document, not what is inside it. If you need content genuinely removed, use Redact PDF before protecting.

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