Select All tools > Protect a PDF.
Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to add passwords to your PDF files using Adobe Acrobat to restrict access and limit what users can do with the document.
Add a password to a PDF
From the left panel, select Encrypt with Password under ADVANCED OPTIONS.
In the dialog box that opens, select Yes.
Select Require a password to open the document.
Enter a password in the Document Open Password field and select OK.
Re-type the password in the confirmation dialog box and select OK.
Review the security message and select OK.
Save the PDF to apply the changes.
Restrict printing, editing, and copying
Select All tools > Protect a PDF.
From the left panel, select Encrypt with Password under ADVANCED OPTIONS.
In the dialog box that opens, select Yes.
Select the following options under Permissions for the changes allowed:
- Printing Allowed: Allow document to be printed in low or high resolution.
- Changes Allowed: Allow inserting, deleting, rotating Pages, filling form fields, or extracting pages.
- Enable copying of text, images and other content: Allow copying of PDF content.
- Enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually impaired: Allow screen reader devices to read the PDF.
Enter the permission password in the Change Permission Password field and select OK.
Review the security message and select OK.
Re-type the permission password and select OK.
Save the PDF to apply the changes.
