How To Password Protect PDFs On Mac (2024)

So you’re here because:

• You’re using a Mac;
• And you have a PDF;
• The file must be password protected;
• But you’re not sure how to lock it.

If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place. We’re going to teach you how to lock a PDF using a password on your Mac computer.

No need to download any software or to pay anything at all. Locking a PDF on Mac is absolutely free and done with the help of the Preview app.

How to password protect a PDF on Mac

Open your PDF with Preview and go to File → Export. Then, tick the box to require a password and type yours. Verify it and confirm the settings – then, your PDF will be exported to a new document that requires a password.

1. Open the PDF in Preview;
2. Hit File → Export (top-left);
3. Click Permissions…;
4. Tick “Require Password To Open Document”
5. Type & Confirm the Password;
6. Select Apply.

While the six steps may seem a bit lengthy, they’re actually not – we went as much into detail as possible.

Password protecting a PDF is really that simple when you use a Mac!

How to protect a PDF on Mac online

You can also password protect a PDF document online using your Mac:

1. Upload the PDF in the box below;
2. Type & Confirm your password;
3. Download the protected PDF.

Password protecting a PDF online using your Mac computer is 100% free with our software. It works just the same as Apple’s way.

Want to remove or change a PDF’s password? Our PDF unlock tool is the tool that you’re looking for. Check out how easy it is to do it!