After I password protect the PDF, I might need to further edit it. How do I do that?

Worries aside. With PDF Candy, you can simply upload the result from the download page to the "Edit PDF" tool, enter the password, and further work on the document as you need.

Does password protection work for all PDF readers?

Yes, standard PDF passwords are compatible with popular viewers such as Adobe Acrobat, Preview (macOS), and most mobile apps.

Will encryption prevent printing or copying?

It mainly restricts opening the file. If you need to lock printing, copying, or editing, you will have to restrict PDF permissions.

Are password-protected PDFs safe to share?

Absolutely. Once encrypted, the PDF cannot be opened without the password, making it safe to send via email or upload to cloud services.

How long will a 'Share' link be available?

According to our Privacy Policy, the generated URL is available for 7 days. After that, all data is automatically deleted from all our servers. If you don't create a 'Share' link, the file will only be available for 2 hours after you lock the PDF. Make sure to save it before it expires.

Protect PDF

Name: Protect PDF
Brand: PDF Candy
Rating: 4.7 (2760 reviews)

Encrypt your PDF documents with a password to keep sensitive information private.

Select file(s)

or drag & drop

Reliable service

You can be certain that all uploaded data is safe. We won't share anything with third-party websites or store your contracts or confidential work reports for longer than 2 hours.

Lock PDF docs online

Simply upload a document from a phone, PC, laptop, tablet, or any other gadget to add password to PDF file. No matter which OS you are on either.

Easily password-protect PDFs

We created this tool with an intuitive interface for you to get access to the easiest way to secure PDF. Save time protecting intellectual property from unauthorized access.

Triple-verify the protection

It is recommended that the password should contain at least 6 symbols, both Latin symbols with capital letters and numbers. We highly recommend not using the same code for different docs.

How to lock a PDF for free

Just import an invoice, legal form, or any file you want to keep private, enter a password, and encrypt PDF in a matter of seconds. You won’t see annoying ads or watermarks.

Multiple sharing options

After adding a password to a PDF, you can download it to the device, send it to Google Drive or Dropbox, or create a download link with 7 days validity.

How to protect a PDF with a password?

1Upload the file from the device, drag and drop it into the tool, or import it from cloud storage.

2Create a combination of your choice and confirm it to avoid errors.

3Click “Protect PDF” to apply PDF encryption instantly.

4Save the secured document and share it with confidence.

FAQ: How to Protect PDF

After I password protect the PDF, I might need to further edit it. How do I do that?	Worries aside. With PDF Candy, you can simply upload the result from the download page to the "Edit PDF" tool, enter the password, and further work on the document as you need.
Does password protection work for all PDF readers?	Yes, standard PDF passwords are compatible with popular viewers such as Adobe Acrobat, Preview (macOS), and most mobile apps.
Will encryption prevent printing or copying?	It mainly restricts opening the file. If you need to lock printing, copying, or editing, you will have to restrict PDF permissions.
Are password-protected PDFs safe to share?	Absolutely. Once encrypted, the PDF cannot be opened without the password, making it safe to send via email or upload to cloud services.
How long will a 'Share' link be available?	According to our Privacy Policy, the generated URL is available for 7 days. After that, all data is automatically deleted from all our servers. If you don't create a 'Share' link, the file will only be available for 2 hours after you lock the PDF. Make sure to save it before it expires.