Change PDF Permissions

Restrict printing, copying, or editing of a PDF while keeping it openable without a password. Free and private in your browser.

Limit what people can do with your PDF

Discourage printing, copying, or editing while still letting anyone open the file. Set an owner password for yourself, choose the allowed actions, and download a restricted PDF — all locally.

What you can do with it

Share a read-only handout
Allow viewing and maybe printing, but block editing and copying.
Protect a form template
Allow filling forms while blocking page modifications.

How to change PDF permissions

  1. Open your PDF — it loads locally with no upload.
  2. Set an owner password and toggle print / copy / edit / annotate / forms.
  3. Click Apply restrictions & download.

Open freely, restrict actions

Unlike Protect PDF (password to open), permission restrictions use an empty user password and an owner password. Readers open the file normally; printing, copying, or editing may be blocked depending on the flags and the viewer.

Deterrent, not cryptography for secrecy

Permission flags are honored by many readers but can be stripped by determined tools. For confidential content, encrypt with a user password via Protect PDF instead or as well.

Related reading and tools

  • Protect PDFRequire a password to open the file.
  • Unlock PDFRemove encryption when you know the password.

Frequently asked questions

Will readers need a password to open the file?
No. The PDF opens normally. An owner password is only needed later to change or remove the restrictions.
Are restrictions absolute?
No. Compliant PDF readers honor them, but determined users can bypass them. Treat this as a deterrent, not encryption for secrecy — use Protect PDF for a password to open.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. AES-256 permission encryption runs entirely in your browser.

Related tools

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