Why MacBook PDF File is Locked? 4 Ways to Unlock Mac PDF

Imagine this: what if your MacBook PDF file is locked? It certainly prevents you from editing, printing, etc on the document. Additionally, you might experience issues like can’t highlight text in PDF file. Don’t get worried, reading this guide may help you to understand the reasons and learn the best ways to unlock Mac PDF. Here, we will share both freeware and pro solutions, let’s dive in to discover the powerful approaches.?

Why is PDF Locked on Mac?

Before jumping over the techniques, let’s first uncover the common causes. Moreover, there are various reasons why a PDF file gets locked on a MacBook. Reading about these issues helps you understand the grounds. Here are the technical and non-technical causes behind PDF files becoming locked on macOS:

• Different Types of PDF Security: The document creator might have set security restrictions like user or owner protection to control actions like editing, copying, and more. These protections unable users to open the PDF unless having a passkey.?

• PDF Gets Corrupted: If the PDF is incomplete or damaged, it becomes a corrupted document which is considered a locked PDF. This issue might happen due to improper download and file creation.?

• DRM Restrictions: Some documents are secured with DRM or digital rights management technologies, commonly used to restrict the PDF from sharing, content copying, editing, etc. It is yet another reason behind MacBook PDF file is locked.?

Overall, if the PDF getting locked on Mac, it mainly happens when the document is password encrypted and prevents unauthorized users from accessing the file. To unlock the secured PDFs, you need to remove PDF restrictions from document. Now, walk through the methods for unlocking the PDF on Mac.?

MacBook PDF File is Locked - Top 4 Ways to Unlock Mac PDF

Facing issues like MacBook PDF is locked quite frustrating and prevents you from accessing the content of the document. Luckily, using the below stepwise guide lets you unlock the document without any data loss. Additionally, it allows restrictions like password protection, DRM security, and owner-level permissions. Here are the methods for how to unlock a PDF on Mac OS:

1. Mac Preview App to Unlock PDF?
2. Brute Force for Unlocking the Protected PDFs
3. Adobe Acrobat DC to Remove Password Encryption?
4. SysTools Protected PDF Unlocker Tool for Mac?

Now, let’s consider these methods one after another.?

How to Unlock a PDF on Mac - Try Mac Preview App

The Mac Preview app is a powerful built-in application on MacBook, allowing you to open, view, and edit files including PDFs. This freeware solution is fast, lightweight, and handy software to manage documents. Using the Preview, you can open, add annotate, sign documents, and even unprotect PDF files for free.?

Here’s how to use the Preview app when the MacBook PDF file is locked:

1. Perform double-click on locked PDF > Open With > Preview.?
2. In the pop-up dialog box, enter the PDF for unlocking.?
3. Go to the top menu, tab File > select Export option.?
4. Ensure unchecking the Encrypt option when exporting the file.?
5. Lastly, save the unprotected PDF on a Mac and open it without a password.?

It seems a quick and hassle-free method. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks, you need to keep in mind before using the above-step guidance for unlocking the PDFs on MacBook.??

Limitations of Preview App: The Mac Preview doesn’t acquire the advanced features for unlocking and editing the document. Moreover, it is not a dedicated software for modifying PDF files like changing the text formatting or highlighting. Most importantly, it doesn’t support the batch unlocking of PDF files, making it less suitable for collaboration and team-sharing projects.?

How to Open a Locked PDF on Mac Using Brute Force?

Brute force is typically known as a systematic method of attempting the possible combination for unlocking the PDF document. It is a persistent process until cracking a correct passkey to unlock a PDF file. Remember attempting brute force attacks for unprotecting PDFs is commonly considered illegal or unethical. So, don’t try this method without legitimate permissions.?

Here are the steps for how to unlock a PDF on Mac via a brute force attack:-

1. Choose any online PDF unlocking tool.?
2. Click Add Files to add the MabBook locked PDF.?
3. Now, try the brute force method for password recovery.?
4. Enter the combination of characters like letters, numbers, symbols, etc.?
5. Once the password is cracked, open PDF on Mac.?

Limitations of Brute Force: This is not a feasible method for unlocking when facing the problem of MacBook PDF file is locked. It comes with major drawbacks like being time-consuming, risk of data corruption, and most importantly, no guarantee of finding the correct passkey. Sometimes the success rate is almost not. Additionally, it contains ethical concerns which even leads to cybercrime or criminal charges.?

Won't PDF Open on Mac - Use Adobe Acrobat Software?

Unlike Preview or Brute Force, Adobe Acrobat is a dedicated yet secure tool to try when addressing the issue of MacBook PDF is locked. This advanced and sophisticated software leverages you to unlock the locked PDF on Mac.?

In this way, you can access the right to edit, print, and copy MacBook PDF files. Additionally, this software lets you unprotect the document while preserving the PDF meta-properties. Now, follow the steps to unlock the locked PDF on Mac:

1. Open the Adobe Acrobat on your Mac.?
2. Select File > add the locked Mac PDF.?
3. Now, right-click on file > Document Properties.?
4. Go to the Security tab > hit No Security option.?
5. After this, enter the correct passkey to unlock.?
6. Lastly, tab OK button to open Mac PDF without any protection.?

It might look simple, isn’t it? However, there are some limitations that you perhaps experience using this software. Now, take a look at those drawbacks.?

Important Consideration: The Acrobat is a premium tool that is equally costly for both business and individual users. Sometimes novice users get confused and frustrated while using the advanced features of this software. Most importantly, there are instances where users experience the issue of Adobe not opening or responding, so opt for this solution carefully.?

How to Unlock a PDF on Mac - SysTools Protected PDF Unlocker Tool?

If you’re wondering how to fix MacBook PDF file is locked, consider the SysTools Mac PDF Unlocker Tool, specially built-in for Mac OS. This a premium and robust software designed for professionals to unlock PDFs on Mac. Since Mac users mostly crave advanced features, this software is a feature-packed tool that allows you to remove unwanted restrictions from PDFs.?

Using this proficient tool, you can unprotect PDFs while removing editing, copying, and print restrictions with ease. Additionally, it lets you clear user and document permissions without any data loss. Most importantly, this pro tool ensures keeping the original folder structure.?

So, download this robust tool for unlocking the locked MacBook PDF. With this, you can access the document without any permissions or passkey. Try the demo version on your macOS.?

MacBook PDF Locked - Stepwise Guide to Unlock Mac PDF

1. Open the SysTools Protected PDF Unlocker Tool.?

2. Find Add Files to upload the locked PDFs.?

3. Move to the Save option > Change to save the file.?

4. Lastly, press the Unlock key to open PDF on Mac.?

Concluding Words?

In this stepwise guide, we have discovered 4 methods for fixing the issue of MacBook PDF file is locked. Using these approaches, you can unlock the Mac PDF, ensuring you to access the PDF document. However, we suggest you choose the SysTools solution — it is a secure and convenient option for unlocking the locked PDF on Mac OS.?