Password-protect a PDF to share

How it works

1. Drop the PDF you are about to send: a contract, payslip, medical report or ID scan.
2. Type a password. Use 12 or more characters, or a short phrase; the recipient will need to type it exactly.
3. Press Add password. The file is encrypted with AES-256 in your browser and downloaded under the same name.
4. Attach it to the email or chat, then send the password another way: by phone, SMS or a different messaging app. Never in the same email.

Frequently asked questions

How strong is the protection?

The document is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest option in the PDF standard, and the same key is used as user and owner password. Without the password the content cannot be read and there is no recovery, so keep a copy of the password.

Why send the password separately?

If the email is forwarded or a mailbox is breached, an attacker gets both the file and the password in one place. Sending the password by phone or a second app means one leak is not enough. It also avoids the discredited habit of putting the password in the next email.

Can the recipient open it?

Yes. Acrobat Reader, Preview on Mac, Chrome, Edge, Firefox and the iOS and Android viewers all open AES-256 PDFs and prompt for the password. No extra software is needed, unlike password-protected zip files.

Does the password prevent copying or printing?

No. Once opened with the password the recipient has full rights, because the owner password is the same. For a visible deterrent, add the recipient's name with Watermark PDF before encrypting.

Is the PDF uploaded to Nouplo?

No. Encryption runs in your browser, so neither the document nor the password is transmitted. The free plan handles files up to 20 MB and 10 runs per day; Pro removes those limits.