How to password protect a PDF on Mac: A complete guide

I’ve recently started paying more attention to securing my PDFs. It’s a good habit to build, especially if your files contain sensitive details, since it adds an extra layer of safety and peace of mind. 

In this guide, I’ll explain how to password protect a PDF on a Mac and why it’s so important.

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How to password protect a PDF on a Mac using Preview

The easiest and quickest way to learn how to password protect a PDF on a Mac is by using the native Preview tool.

Here's how to password protect a PDF in Preview:

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Go to the top menu and click File, then choose Export from the drop-down.
3. Click Permissions.
4. Check the Require password to open document box.
5. Enter and confirm a password.
6. Click Apply.

How to encrypt a PDF on Mac using Adobe Acrobat

If you want more advanced encryption options, you can also password-protect your PDF files using Adobe Acrobat. 

To encrypt a PDF using Adobe Acrobat:

1. Open the PDF you want to password-protect.
2. Find the Protect a PDF option in the sidebar, and select it.
3. Click Encrypt with Password.
4. Confirm that you want to change the security settings by clicking Yes.
5. Enter your desired password details.
6. Click OK to apply the changes.

Adobe Acrobat is a premium option compared to Preview, but it has added security features such as 256-bit AES encryption and permission settings.

Read also:

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• Search PDF with AI

How to password protect a PDF on a Mac with third-party apps 

Besides the native app and Adobe, I’ve found a couple of third-party apps that offer useful features when working with PDFs on Mac. One such tool is Nitro PDF Pro. While it doesn’t allow you to password protect a PDF on Mac, it lets you redact sensitive information, which helps keep your documents secure in a different way.

How to remove password protection from a PDF on Mac

Sometimes, it makes sense to remove a password from your PDF. You may need to do this when sharing a file with a person you trust or editing a PDF on a Mac. 

Here's how you can remove encryption by using Preview: 

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Go to File > Print.
3. Select Save as PDF from the PDF menu.
4. Save the file without encryption.

To remove encryption in Adobe Acrobat:

1. Open the PDF.
2. Go to Tools > Protect > Encrypt > Remove Security.
3. Follow the prompts to remove either the document open password or the permissions password.

Best practices for creating a secure PDF password

So, what are the best ways to create strong and secure passwords to password-protect a PDF on a Mac? 

It’s always best to have completely different passwords for each document. Never use the same one twice. It’s also a good idea to: 

• Make your passwords hard to guess by combining capital and small letters, numbers, and symbols. 
• Skip anything obvious, like names or birthdays. 
• Don’t rely on memory, but keep everything safe in a trusted password app.

Why password-protecting a PDF on Mac is essential

Password-protecting PDFs is a great idea if you work in specific industry sectors, like the finance or legal industry, for example. But protecting your PDFs is a smart move regardless of the field you're in. By password-protecting your PDF files, you're making sure that only the people who have access to them can view and edit them. 

When you password-protect a PDF on Mac, you’re making sure your private info stays private. Data privacy and security laws exist to protect everyone, and staying compliant with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA is essential. Password-protecting your documents is one way to help ensure compliance.

Final thoughts on how to password protect a PDF on a Mac

Making sure all your PDFs are protected when sharing them with others is non-negotiable. It keeps personal and private data safe, and with tools like Preview and Adobe Acrobat, it’s easy to add that extra layer of security.

You can also keep your PDFs secure by using a third-party app like Nitro PDF Pro that lets you redact sensitive information. And if you want to store your passwords safely, Secrets 4 is a reliable password manager that keeps all your credentials and secure data in one encrypted place.

The two apps are available on Setapp, a subscription-based platform that gives you access to over 260 high-quality Mac and iOS apps. You can try it free for 7 days and explore all the tools without any commitment.

FAQ

Can I password protect a PDF on a Mac without Adobe? 

You can password protect a PDF on a Mac without Adobe by using the native Preview app. Click File, then Export. Click Permissions, check the “Require password to open document” box, and enter and confirm your password. Finally, click Apply.

How to check if my PDF is encrypted? 

To check if your PDF is encrypted, open the file. If you're using Preview or Adobe and it asks you for a password, that means it's locked.

Can I remove a password from a PDF without the password?

No, you can’t remove a password from a PDF without the password. There’s no way to recover it if it’s lost. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your passwords saved in a password manager like Secrets 4. 

Is password protection enough for sensitive PDFs?

Password protection is not enough for sensitive PDFs. It helps, but on its own, it doesn’t do much against serious threats. If you’re dealing with private or important information, adding encryption and turning on two-factor authentication is the safer way to go.