How to password protect a PDF on a Mac
Add a password to a PDF on a Mac with Preview so only people who know it can open the file, plus how to share the password safely.
A password on a PDF means it cannot be opened without it. Preview can add one in a few clicks.
The free way: Preview
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Choose File > Export.
- Tick Encrypt, then type the password twice.
- Save under a new name, so you keep an unlocked copy for yourself.
Recent versions of Preview also offer Permissions in the same window, to allow opening but stop printing, copying or changes.
Check it
Close the file and open the new copy. Preview should ask for the password.
Share the password safely
Do not send the password in the same email as the file. Send it by text message, say it on a call, or use a different app.
Choose a good one
Three or four random words together are easy to say and hard to guess. Avoid names and birthdays.
The one click way
Simply PDF's Password tool adds or removes a password, asks you to type it twice, and shows the protected file before saving.
Questions
How do I put a password on a PDF on a Mac?
Open it in Preview, choose File > Export, tick Encrypt and type the password twice.
Can I password protect a PDF for free on a Mac?
Yes. Preview's Encrypt option is built in.