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MakeMyPDF
Edit & Security

Protect PDF

Add password protection to your PDF file. Your document will be encrypted so only people with the password can open it.

Drop your PDF here

One PDF, up to 100 MB·click to browse

How to password-protect a PDF

Add a user password to a PDF to restrict who can open it.

  1. 01

    Open Protect PDF

    Visit makemypdf.com/protect-pdf.

  2. 02

    Upload your PDF

    Drop the file onto the upload area.

  3. 03

    Enter a strong password

    Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols at least 12 characters long.

  4. 04

    Apply protection

    The backend encrypts the PDF with AES-256 and produces a locked copy.

  5. 05

    Download the protected PDF

    Save the encrypted file and share the password separately.

Frequently asked questions

What encryption is used?

AES-256, the current PDF standard for strong encryption.

Why is this not a browser-only tool?

Modern AES-256 PDF encryption is best handled by tested native libraries. Our backend applies it over TLS and deletes the source immediately.

Can you recover my password if I lose it?

No. Passwords are never stored. Losing the password means the PDF cannot be reopened.