Forgetting the password for your PDF file can be a stressful experience. You know your data is locked in the PDF file, and there is no way to edit it or copy content from it.
Relax, you’re not the only one experiencing this problem.
This post tells some effective ways to regain access when you forgot PDF password. Also, we’ll give you a few tips on how to unlock forgot PDF password without software and never forget it again.
Cisdem Password Remover
Free Download macOS 10.13 or later 
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
There are 2 PDF passwords used to protect your PDFs:
PDF Open Password: Protecting PDF file from opening
PDF Owner Password: Protecting PDF file from making changes on editing, from copying, printing, etc.
What to Do If You Forgot PDF Password
First, you should figure out whether you can open and see content of the PDF file.
If you are required to enter the password for opening the PDF file, Then you only chance to remove the PDF password is using Cisdem PDF password remover or ilovepdf. But it is not easy, the result will depend on the strength of the original password.
If you can open the PDF file, but are restricted to edit, copy or print, you can use all the method listed below to remove or recover the password.
Rather than keep entering a PDF password every time you try to open or edit it. you can remove the PDF password even if you forgot it.
However, most PDF password removers require you to enter the password to be able to remove it. But now you just forgot the password. You are looking a way that can unlock PDF files without password.
Given your situation, we recommend Cisdem PDF Password Remover. It is an advanced decryption tool in the market for 9 years. It can recover 100% of PDF file passwords. Equipped with GPU acceleration and a multi-core CPU, it can process files in batch and it is dozens of times faster than regular software.
You can remove all kinds of PDF password with Cisdem PDF Password Remover here’s how:
Free Download macOS 10.13 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Useful Tip: Go to the settings as follows. You can check or fill in the above options, like password length, additional characters, etc. By doing so, you will save a lot of time removing the password.
These three steps will safely remove the password of your PDF file. You files stay the same and now you can open and edit it immediately.
You can also follow this video step by step to unlock your PDF without knowing password.
If you don’t want to install any software, you can also try your luck with online PDF password remover - Smallpdf, it is one of most well know online PDF password remover which can edit, convert, compress, split, merge, convert, protect and unlock PDFs.
In terms of PDF password, it can remove owner password quickly, but cannot unlock open-password protected PDF.
The advantage of this service is that it is online, and is therefore not tied to a platform, and it would be much easier to handle “forgot PDF password” without software. The maximum size you can upload is 200 MB (you obviously need a decent internet connection for that).
Follow the steps to remove the forgotten PDF password without software:
Notes: As this is an online service, please be aware that your PDF will be uploaded to a server, which may pose a security risk. We do not recommend this method if the file has important data. This is because there are concerns about information leaks.
If your file is restricted from copying, another trick is to use Google Chrome to remove the forgot password. What’s more, you can download the file again to rapidly remove the restriction on copying text.
To remove the restriction from copying in PDF, try Google Chrome:
If you need to get back your forgot PDF password, there is also tools for it. But be noted that you can only recover open password and there is no option to recover a PDF owner password.
Here is how to recover forgot PDF password:
If you forgot PDF password for Android or iOS and want to open it on mobile device, or your PDF file is stored on mobile and clouds services like Google Drive, then iLovePDF is exactly what you need.
iLovePDF is few of the online PDF Password Remover that supports unlocking PDF user password. So it is definitely worth a try.
However, it fails to remove PDF password sometimes, especially when the password is long and complicated, which requires longer time or more advanced tech to decrypt.
Follow the steps to remove the forgotten PDF password on Android and iOS:
We know, you don’t want to be locked out of your PDF anymore. So, let discuss some strategies which can help you remember your PDF password.
First, we can choose a memorable password to prevent forgetting it. Such as your favorite number followed by the initials of name.
If you find it still hard to remember, consider writing it down and store it in a secure location.
If we forgot the password of a PDF file, we can use tools to remove or recover the password. Remember to regularly back up your files together with password information, and consider using a password manager to manage your passwords.
For the sake of information safety and 100% success to unlocking the PDF, desktop programs such as Cisdem PDF Password Remover is highly recommended, because it does exactly what is said on the tin, removing password restrictions and cracking PDF in a safe and efficient way. And in our test, it can unlockPDF file passwords with 100% probability.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.11 or later
Carolyn has always been passionate about reading and writing, so she joined Cisdem as an editor as soon as she graduated from university. She focuses on writing how-to articles about PDF editing and conversion.
Lilah
My new job started with several protected PDF files, I did not know from whom I could get the PDF password. After 3 embarrassing trial, I am determined to buy yours.