When this is useful
Useful when sharing a document that needs basic protection from casual opening, or when an existing known password must be removed before further processing.
PDF · LOCAL BROWSER TOOL
Password protect a PDF with AES-256
Create an AES‑256 encrypted PDF or make an unlocked copy when you already know the document password.
🔒 Local processingNo sign-upFree core tool
Open this tool →The file is processed on your device. OCR/password modules are loaded from gotovo.tools when needed.
How the tool works
In protect mode, enter the new password twice and qpdf creates an AES‑256 encrypted copy. In unlock mode, enter the current password and GOTOVO creates an unencrypted copy.
Three steps
Open the matching PDF Workshop mode.
Add the PDF and choose the operation settings.
Review the result and download the new copy.
Limitations and important details
A PDF password is not a replacement for a secure delivery channel or proper access control. GOTOVO does not guess or crack unknown passwords; unlocking requires the correct existing password.
Local processing and result checks
GOTOVO processes the selected PDF directly in your browser, so the source document does not need to be uploaded to our server. The original file is never overwritten; the result is created as a separate copy, making it easy to compare or retry with different settings. Performance depends on PDF size, page count and available device memory, especially for OCR, strong compression and secure redaction. After any operation, open the downloaded file and review the required pages, orientation, readability and important interactive elements before sending it to another person or uploading it to an official service. For documents containing personal or business-sensitive information, local processing also reduces unnecessary transfer of the source file to third parties.
Frequently asked questions
Which encryption is used?
AES‑256 through qpdf WebAssembly.
Is the password sent to a server?
No. Encryption and decryption run locally.
Can it recover a forgotten password?
No. Unlocking works only when the current password is known.