Open a Password-Protected PDF on Android (2026)

Open the PDF in a PDF viewer such as Google Drive, Files by Google or Adobe Acrobat Reader and enter the password; to keep a copy without it, print to Save as PDF.

To open a password-protected PDF on an Android phone, open it in a PDF viewer such as Google Drive, Files by Google or Adobe Acrobat Reader, and type the password when asked. To save a copy that opens without the password, use the app's Print option and choose Save as PDF as the printer.

Opening the PDF

1. Save the file to your phone first. In Gmail, tap the download icon on the attachment. In WhatsApp, open the document once so it downloads.
2. Open it in a PDF viewer. Tap the file in your Downloads, or use Open with and pick an app you trust. Google Drive, Files by Google and Adobe Acrobat Reader can all open protected PDFs once you type the password.
3. Type the password. Watch the keyboard. Android keyboards often capitalise the first letter or add a space after a word suggestion. Turn off suggestions for this field, or type slowly and check each character.

If an app shows a blank page or an error instead of a password box, try another viewer. Some preview screens, such as the one inside a chat or email app, don't handle encrypted PDFs.

Saving a copy without the password

Android has a built-in Save as PDF printer. Google's Chrome help describes it: in the print screen, tap the printer list at the top, choose Save as PDF, then choose where to save the file (Google: Print from Chrome on Android). The same printer appears in other apps that can print:

1. Open the PDF and enter the password.
2. Open the app's menu (often three dots, or Share) and tap Print.
3. At the top of the print screen, choose Save as PDF.
4. Tap the PDF button, pick a folder, and save with a new name.
5. Open the new copy to check it doesn't ask for a password.

Menus vary between apps and phone makers, so the Print option may sit under Share, More or ⋮. If Print is missing or greyed out, the PDF may have a permissions password that blocks printing (see printing and copying restrictions).

Google Drive tips

• Uploading the protected original to Drive is safer than uploading an unlocked copy. Anyone you share the folder with can open an unlocked copy.
• On a computer, download the file from Drive and open it in Chrome to remove the password. See removing a PDF password in Chrome.

If the password doesn't work

Bank and card statement passwords are built from your details in a set pattern, and the email the statement came with usually explains it. Check capital letters, the date format and which mobile number the bank has. Our guides cover SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, e-Aadhaar and many more, and why a password is rejected.

Avoid “unlock” apps that upload your file

Many Android “PDF unlocker” apps and websites upload the document to a server. A bank statement shows your account number, address and spending, so stick to the print method above, which works on the phone. UnKey isn't available on Android yet. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Questions

Sources

• Google Chrome Help – Print from Chrome (Android), including Save as PDF
• Google Chrome Help – Print from Chrome (computer)

Formats can change. If a password doesn't work, check the email the document came with or contact the issuer. UnKey isn't affiliated with any bank, employer or authority named here.