Merging password-protected PDFs

This tool can't merge a PDF that is locked with a password. Here is the simple way round it, if the file is yours.

Drag & drop PDF files here

or

Free: up to 5 files, 20MB total

What you will see

If one of the files is protected, the merge stops and shows: "Could not merge these files. Make sure they are valid, non-password-protected PDFs." The same message appears for a damaged file, so check that each file opens normally first. Some PDFs open freely but carry editing or printing restrictions; those can fail too.

If the file is yours and you know the password

Open it in a PDF viewer, enter the password, and save or print a copy to a new PDF without protection. Merge that copy instead. The copy may lose interactive parts such as fill-in form fields. Only remove protection from files you own or have permission to change.

If you do not have the password

This tool does not try to remove or guess passwords, and we can't help with that. Ask whoever sent the file for an unprotected copy.

Why it can't just merge them

A locked PDF's contents are encrypted. Joining files means reading their pages, which is not possible until the file has been unlocked.

More about merging PDFs

Free, with an optional Pro unlock

Pro is Hexloom Pro, $29 a year or $4 a month, one subscription for every Hexloom tool. It removes the 5 file and 20MB limits. There is no account: Pro unlocks the browser you subscribe in, and the confirmation page has a link to restore it elsewhere.

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