How it works

Add a password to a PDF so it can't be opened without it. This specific tool is on the way.

Setting a PDF open password locally in the browser requires a WASM port of QPDF or a similar PDF-aware encryptor, and we're shipping that in a follow-up. The honest version: this tile is reserved in the UI but the engine isn't wired up yet. While you wait, the closest privacy-equivalent options today are Encrypt file (which AES-256-GCM encrypts the whole PDF into a .lockedfile that only this site can decrypt with the same passphrase) and Encrypt text (for sharing protected text snippets). When the PDF-native flow lands, it will follow the same rule as everything else here: encryption happens in your browser, the passphrase never leaves your device.

How to use it

1. Check the tool status. This tile is reserved — the in-browser PDF password engine hasn't shipped yet.
2. Use Encrypt file meanwhile. Open Encrypt file to wrap your PDF in AES-256-GCM with a passphrase, fully local.
3. Keep your passphrase safe. There is no recovery — the passphrase never leaves your device.

Frequently asked questions

Can I password-protect a PDF without uploading it?

Yes, that's the goal. The tile is in the catalogue but the in-browser PDF encryptor hasn't shipped yet. Use Encrypt file for now if you need true protection.

What's the difference between this and Encrypt file?

Protect PDF (when ready) will set a PDF-native open password, so any PDF reader will prompt for it. Encrypt file wraps the whole PDF in an AES-256-GCM container that only this site can unwrap.

When will this be available?

It depends on shipping the QPDF or pdf-lib encryption module. The other PDF tools here ship today.

What encryption will it use?

AES-256, the standard supported by modern PDF readers (PDF 1.7 Extension Level 3 / PDF 2.0).