How to black out or blur private information in a PDF
Quick answer
Open ShushPDF Edit PDF, tap Hide, tap on the private details and drag the corner to cover them. Choose Black or Blur, then download. The hidden part is permanently removed, not just covered.
Before you send a bank statement, a payslip or a copy of your ID, you often need to hide some details: an account number, your address, or other people's names. How you hide them matters more than most people realise.
Why a black box is often not enough
Many PDF editors let you draw a black rectangle over text. It looks hidden, but the text is usually still in the file underneath. Anyone can select it, copy it and paste it somewhere else, or find it with search. Real documents have leaked this way many times.
Try this test on any "hidden" PDF
- Open the PDF and try to select the text under the black box, by dragging across it or pressing Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on a Mac).
- Copy and paste it into a note.
- If the hidden words appear, they were never really removed.
How to hide details properly with ShushPDF
- Open Edit PDF and choose your file.
- Tap Hide, then tap on the details you want to hide. Drag the corner dot to cover all of them.
- Tap Black on the small toolbar to switch to Blur if you prefer a softer look.
- Repeat for every detail, then tap Download.
When you download, each page with a Hide box is saved as a picture with the area truly blacked out or blurred. The original text under it is gone, so it cannot be selected, copied or searched. The rest of your pages keep their normal text.
What to hide on common documents
- Bank statements: full account numbers (often the last 4 digits are enough), balances and transactions you do not need to share.
- ID copies: ID numbers or signatures, when the receiver only needs to see your name and photo.
- Payslips: tax and pension numbers.
- Medical letters: details unrelated to the reason you are sharing it.
For ID copies, also consider adding a watermark like "Copy for rental application only" with Watermark.