Redact a PDF
Tap on private details to black them out or blur them. When you download, the covered parts are removed from the file, not just hidden under a box.
or drop a PDF here
Stays on your phone or computer. Only you see it.
Removed, not just covered
Many PDF editors draw a black box on top of the text, and the words are still in the file underneath. Anyone can copy them out or find them with search.
Here, each page with a Hide box is saved as a picture when you download, with the area blacked out or blurred. The words under the box are no longer in the file. We tested this: after hiding a word, a text search of that page in the downloaded PDF finds nothing.
The trade-off
Because a page with a Hide box becomes a picture, the other text on that page can no longer be selected or searched, and the file gets bigger. Pages without a Hide box are not changed. Black is the safest choice for numbers and names; blur is softer to look at.
What it does not remove
Only what is under your boxes is removed. The file's details, such as its title or author, are kept, and so are other pages. To clear those details too, remove the PDF metadata before you share. For more help, see our guide to hiding private information in a PDF.
How it works
- 1Choose your PDF
- 2Tap on each private detail and drag the corner to cover it
- 3Download the redacted PDF
Questions
Is the text really gone, or just covered?
Really gone. When you download, each page with a Hide box is saved as a picture with that area blacked out or blurred, so the words under it are no longer in the file and cannot be copied or searched.
Why can't I select the text on that page any more?
The page with the hidden area is saved as a picture, which is what makes the removal permanent. Other pages keep their normal, selectable text.
Can I also add text or a signature?
Yes. Text, White-out, Image, Sign, Date and Add page are on the same toolbar. To change more than private details, Edit PDF has the same tools with Text first.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Your PDF is opened and changed inside your own browser, on your own device. Your file is never sent to a server. You can check: turn on airplane mode after the page loads, and everything still works.
Is it really free? Do I need an account?
Yes, it is free, with no account, no daily limit and no watermark. Because your device does the work, it costs us almost nothing to run.
What happens if I close the page by mistake?
Your work is saved in this browser only (not online). Come back to the same page and you can pick up where you left off. You can clear it at any time.