What does Unlock PDF remove?

Unlock PDF removes owner restrictions such as printing, copying, and editing limits on PDFs you own or have permission to modify. It creates a new unlocked copy.

Does Unlock PDF remove passwords?

No. Unlock PDF is not designed to crack open password-protected PDFs you cannot open. If a PDF requires a password to open, you must have that password.

Is unlocking a PDF the same as breaking encryption?

No. Owner restrictions are permissions settings. Encryption/password protection controls opening the document. This guide covers removing owner restrictions only for documents you are allowed to modify.

Unlock PDF Guide | GhostConvert

Some PDFs open normally but still block actions like printing, copying text, or editing. These are typically owner restrictions (permissions) set by the PDF creator. GhostConvert’s Unlock PDF tool creates a fresh copy of your document with those restrictions removed, so you can use your PDF normally in your own workflow.

Ready to unlock a file now? Open Unlock PDF.

Owner restrictions vs open password

PDFs commonly have two different protection styles:

Owner restrictions (permissions): you can open the PDF, but printing/copying/editing may be blocked.
Open password (encryption): you cannot open the PDF without a password.

GhostConvert’s Unlock PDF is meant for the first case: PDFs you can open, but that limit what you can do. It is not meant to break encryption or bypass access to locked documents.

When to use Unlock PDF

Unlock PDF is useful for documents you own or have explicit permission to modify, like:

Your own reports or exports where printing got disabled by mistake
Invoices or receipts you need to print for records
Training PDFs you’re allowed to use but can’t copy text from into notes
Forms that must be uploaded and require copying or extracting pages

If you need access control instead, use Protect PDF to encrypt PDFs you own with a password.

How to unlock a PDF using GhostConvert

Go to Unlock PDF.
Drop your PDF into the upload area (or tap to browse).
Click Unlock PDF to start processing.
Download the unlocked copy when it’s ready.

Your original PDF is not modified. You get a separate unlocked file you can keep and use.

Tips and common issues

If a PDF asks for a password before opening, this tool won’t help unless you already have that password.
If printing is blocked in one viewer, test the unlocked output in another viewer to confirm the restriction is gone.
If you only need to fix orientation first, use Rotate PDF before unlocking.
If you need to share sensitive info, unlock first (if needed) then re-secure using Protect PDF.

Always use Unlock PDF only when you have rights to modify the document.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly gets removed?

This tool targets owner restrictions (permissions) that can block printing, copying, or editing. The output is an unlocked copy of the same document.

Will my PDF content change?

No. Unlocking does not rewrite the text or images. It keeps the content the same and removes restrictions so you can work with it.

How long are my files stored?

Files are stored only long enough to complete the unlock and provide a download link for a short time, then deleted automatically as described in the Privacy Policy.