Unable to view "Tools>Protect" to allow me to add a password to a pdf file. No "Protect" option when I open the PDF file. Can anyone assist?

[Guest]

When I open the PDF file, there is not ability to get to "Tools" on one system but when I go to another system I can see it.  But in neither case can I see the "Protect" option to password protectr the file.  Probably very simple but I can't make it happen.  Easy answer for someone but not me.  Please assist.

[Meenakshi Negi · Accepted solution]

Hi lanaom,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble.

If you are looking for an option to add a password to the PDF, please use the following steps:

1. On your Mac 

- Launch the Acrobat desktop application.

- Open the PDF and click on All Tools.

- Under the All tools panel, scroll down till Protect a PDF. Check the screenshot below:

You may also refer to the steps suggested in the following help document: Securing PDFs with passwords.

2. On your iPad

- Launch the Acrobat Reader application.

- Open the PDF.

- Click on the More tools option.

- Click on the set password option.

You may refer to the information on the following help link: Password-protect PDFs .

Let us know if you have any questions or need help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Test Screen Name]

For each of the two systems please let us know the software you are actually running. Please go to Help > About and tell us if you have Acrobat Pro, Acrobat Standard, Acrobat Reader or Adobe Reader - or something else. Also the exact version shown in the About box, like 11.0.34 or 2015.1243.90022

[taiho]

I have Acrobat Reader DC.

[try67]

You need Adobe Acrobat (​not Adobe Acrobat Reader) to be able to do that.

[lanaom]

I have a subscription to adobe acrobat and there is no "protect" option under tools, either on my new MACBOOK AIR OR on my new IPad Air . And yes, I have the latest iOS 18.5 for my .iPad and sequoia 15.5 for Mac, It seems that whenever you are told something is easy it is fake like the rest of the cyber world 

[Meenakshi Negi · Accepted solution]

Hi lanaom,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble.

If you are looking for an option to add a password to the PDF, please use the following steps:

1. On your Mac 

- Launch the Acrobat desktop application.

- Open the PDF and click on All Tools.

- Under the All tools panel, scroll down till Protect a PDF. Check the screenshot below:

You may also refer to the steps suggested in the following help document: Securing PDFs with passwords.

2. On your iPad

- Launch the Acrobat Reader application.

- Open the PDF.

- Click on the More tools option.

- Click on the set password option.

You may refer to the information on the following help link: Password-protect PDFs .

Let us know if you have any questions or need help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[lanaom]

It’s easy to put a password on a PDF; not so taking one off which is what I had clearly asked about. From what I’ve learned, Adobe’s modern interface hides the traditional menus like File > Properties and Tools > Protect. Please help me find these hidden menus so I can REMOVE a password.

Sent from [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) for iOS

[Amal. · Accepted solution]

Hi there 

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out. 

The option to remove the password protection is not yet available in Acrobat Mobile app. While passwords can be set in the mobile app, you need the desktop app to remove them.

Please share your feedback with the development team here https://adobe.ly/3T2qyBP for their consideration and future implementation.