Easy Guide: How to Unlock a PDF on Mac Even without Password

Rosa Reyes
November 10, 2021 Preview 105.7K Preview 7
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We add passwords to PDF files for security enhancement, so our privacy can be protected. But, in case that you want to remove restrictions of your password-protected PDF files, or in case that you lost the user or open PDF password, do you have any idea to unlock the PDF on mac without a password?

Here we are going to list you some easy solutions, you can use handy PDF unlocker app or free methods to unlock PDFs on Mac online or offline.

Basic Knowledge about PDF Passwords

It would be better for you to have general information about PDF password if you want to unlock password-protected PDF files by using the right password. The PDF password is categorized into 2 types as follows:

PDF Owner password---also named as permission or master password, which specifies operations that should be restricted even when the document is decrypted. Without the owner password, you do not have permission to print, to copy portions of the document, to create or modify annotations in the document, nor to modify the file.

PDF User password--- also named as open password, which completely encrypts the PDF file and prevents it from opening.

Also, we should know that, unlocking a PDF with owner password is much easier than that with a user password. In most cases, you cannot unlock a PDF if it is protected with a user password and you don’t know the password.

Part 1.How to Unlock PDF on Mac without Password

Most of the time, we protect a PDF and remember the password, but there are still great chances that we get several PDFs with unknown or forgotten PDF password, but actually have legal rights to access to it. 

Nevertheless, we have the solution to unlock PDF on mac under any situation for you, no matter you know or forgot the password, no matter you have forgot the user (open) password or owner (permission) password, using the best PDF unlocker for Mac 2021

Best Unlock PDF App for Mac

Cisdem PDF Password Remover is exclusively designed to help individuals remove any restrictions they might encounter when working with PDF files on a Mac. It can directly remove the owner (permission) password protection from PDF without entering the password, so you can freely copy&paste, print and edit PDF files. Also, it can unlock PDF after a decryption process if the PDF is locked with an unknown-user-password, so you can instantly open and view the PDF file.

How to Unlock PDFs on Mac without Password?

For Owner-Password Encrypted PDFs

  1. Download and install Cisdem PDF Password Remover on Mac.
     Free Download
  2. Run the program, add owner (permission) password protected PDFs into the program by drag and drop or clicking “Add Files”.unlock pdf mac add
  3. Select all encrypted PDFs and click Remove to unlock PDF on Mac without entering any password.unlock pdf owner password mac

For User-Password Protected PDFs

  1. Download and launch the PDF Password Remover on your Mac.
     Free Download
  2. Import open password protected PDF files to the PDF Unlocker for mac.unlock user password mac01
  3. Click Lock settings icon>Forgot? if you want to unlock without password. If you know the password, just enter it.unlock user password mac02
  4. Tweak the setting below and provide clues to speed up the decryption, click Decrypt to start.unlock user password mac03
  5. After the decryption, click Remove to unlock open password protected PDF files on Mac without password.

Or you can check the YouTube tutorial video to unlock PDF on Mac with Cisdem.

Part 2. How to Unlock PDF Free in Preview

For Mac users, Preview can work as a good PDF unlocker on mac to unlock your PDF offline free.

Preview is the free utility to open, view, edit and manage both image and PDF files on Mac. It meets all your basic needs to work on a PDF, including encrypting and unlocking PDFs.

Advantages:

  1. Free to use
  2. Protect and unlock PDFs

Disadvantages:

  1. Require inputting password to unlock PDFs
  2. Don’t support batch unlock PDFs

How to Unlock PDF on Mac Free in Preview?

#1 Steps to Unlock Owner Password Protected PDFs on Mac Free

  1. Open the owner password-protected PDF document with Preview.
  2. Go to File>Export as PDF.unlock pdf mac preview 01
  3. Input the owner password as required and click Unlock.  unlock pdf mac preview02
  4. Then rename the PDF file, leave “Encrypt” unchecked and click Save to unlock PDF on your Mac.unlock pdf mac preview 03

#2 Steps to Unlock Open Password Protected PDFs on Mac Free

  1. Open the open password protected PDF with Preview.
  2. Input the open password as required.unlock pdf mac preview04
  3. Go to File>Export as PDF.
  4. Rename the file and leave “Encrypt” unchecked, click Save to unlock PDF on Mac for free.

Part 3. A Good Way to Unlock PDF on Mac Online Free

Looking for on online free PDF Unlocker to remove PDF password protection on mac? It is lucky that we have the choice.

But before using online PDF Unlocker, you should be aware of that, nearly all online free PDF Unlockers are designed to unlock PDF with only a owner(permission) password, that means, if you have forgot the user (open) password, you will have to return to Cisdem PDF Password Remover.

To unsecure a PDF online, I recommend you to use iLovePDF. This site will allow unregistered users to unlock password protected PDF one by one, and this works on Owner-restricted PDFs only, which means this online tool would choke on user-password protected PDF files.

Advantages:

  1. Free to use
  2. Registered users can unlock 2 PDFs one time

Disadvantages:

  1. Cannot unlock open password protected PDF
  2. Limits on file quantity

Steps to Unlock PDF on Mac Online Free

  1. Go to iLovePDF Unlock PDF.
  2. Upload owner password protected PDF online.
  3. Click ‘Unlock PDF’ to remove restrictions on copy/print/edit.ilovepdf unlock pdf


Conclusion

As a popular saying goes, every coin has two sides. Online PDF unlocker is often free, but quite feature limited, and involving risks like leakage of sensitive information. While, Cisdem PDF Password Remover provides more features for Mac users. It will be the most professional tool for you to eidt protected PDF& crack PDF password and drive your productivity to new heights.

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Rosa Reyes
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Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.

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Comments (7) Leave a Reply

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  • Greygory

    Impressive and I tested one encrypted file with the Unlocker, it removed the password instantly.

    6 years ago Reply

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  • Carlos

    I bought your password remover, it can instantly remove the password protection successfully, if it can crack my open password faster(I know this makes sense cuz my password is always a little complicate), that would be perfect.

    6 years ago Reply

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  • Karon

    With a forgotten password, that's the most case. Cisdem convinces me of paying it for its high performance and fast work.

    6 years ago Reply

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  • Ariana

    Clear explanation. Find the right solution is the key, that save your time.

    7 years ago Reply

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  • Capatin

    I bow down humbly in the presence of such grassneet.

    7 years ago Reply

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  • Thomps

    I will not use online PDF unloaker anymore!!! Cisdem PDFPasswordRemover is indeed the best choice.

    7 years ago Reply

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  • Gabriel520

    Oh my god!!! I really don't know there are so many risks if I use free PDF password remover!!! I will use paid offline applications in the future. Mow, I am worrying about my privace imformation.

    8 years ago Reply

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