Has the ability to password protect signed PDFs been removed in the update?

[Guest]

Hoping someone can help since the update to Adobe Acrobat Sign.

Our old process with Adobe Acrobat Sign was the following:

• Send out a document to be signed, recipient must enter a password before they can view the PDF
• They sign the PDF, relevant persons sent a copy of the signed PDF protected with same password

Since the update, I know how to require they enter a password before signing the document. What I cannot find is how to have the signed PDF be protected by a password. I've run a few test agreements and they all send out a signed PDF that can be opened freely with no password.

Having the signed PDF be password protected is vital for us, it needs to be password protected before it is sent out to everyone, and we would not be able to continue using Adobe Acrobat Sign if this feature has been removed.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Joe1029,

Thank you for reaching out.

The option to password-protect the signed document is there. However, it differs from the authentication password you set for the recipients to open the document when they receive it for signature. 

Please refer to the information provided in the following community thread: https://community.adobe.com/t5/adobe-acrobat-sign-discussions/password-protect-the-document-in-adobe.... 

Hope the information helps.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply, however, the link you have provided is for the old version prior to the update. There is no such option following the update. I have been in contact via the Live Chat and they have suggested I use the old version as the feature does not exist in the new version. 

[Anna27119253u03s]

How do you use the old version? It doesn't let me use the old version and I just have access to the 'modern version' (i.e. cannot password protect and sign a document at the same time)

[Moiz_Tankiwala4096]

Did you ever solve this issue? We have the same issue and having the document password protected post the signing, is crucial and without that we cannot user Adobe Acrobat.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Moiz_Tankiwala4096,

Thank you for reaching out.

The option is still available in the new version. On the send page, you get the option under Agreement settings. Click on the edit icon next to Agreement settings, and a window will appear. There, you can add a password to the signed document. Refer to the screenshots below: 

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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[julie_2498]

I do not see the option in Adobe E-Sign to password protect a document. It allows an option to set a password for each recipient (I assume this is to authenticate?) but I don't see a protect document password option. 

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi julie_2498,

Thank you for sharing the information.

I see that you are sending documents from the Acrobat desktop application. In the screenshot above, the steps on the 2/3 page are missing. Could you please share the screen recording of the complete steps used in this workflow?

Also, share the Acrobat and OS versions so we can replicate the behavior and share the correct information.

In the meantime, please try sending the document via the Acrobat Online account and check if the options appear as shown in the screenshot shared by me in the above message.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Watterson FP]

Good afternoon

We are also having the same issue. 

Have tried the web version and app. None let us password protect the signed document. 

Could you let us know when this option is availble as we are unable to use Adobe sign.

Regards

[Eirrol1964]

We are dealing with the same issue.   I have been instructed to go to settings and Unclick the "use the newest version" but this is ending in May.   We must have ability to add a password to each document.  Why is it removed and will this be fixed before we are forced to use new version

[Meenakshi Negi · Accepted solution]

Hi Eirrol1964,

Thank you for reaching out.

If you are referring to the document password, which the recipients must enter to open the downloaded PDF file, the option is still available. Please refer to the steps suggested in the following help document: https://adobe.ly/3ESDl6n. 

However, if you want to add a password as authentication, please click on the pencil icon next to Recipient settings (as shown in the screenshot below), and click on "None" to view other options in the drop-down. Then, select Password from the list.

Feel free to let us know if you need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Guest]

Has the ability to password protect the agreement/pdf been locked behind the Sign Solutions paywall then? The link you provided says that availability is only for Sign Solutions, whereas before it was available under the Acrobat services. Passworded protected documents are vital for us.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Joe1029,

Thank you for reaching out.

The help document shared above refers to a feature in Acrobat Sign. When you send a document for signature, there are two ways you can use the password for the document. One is password authentication, which is applied to the recipient. It can be used for all recipients individually or for particular recipients in a transaction.

The second password is for the completed transaction. It is added while sending a document for signature, but applied once all recipients have completed the transaction. So, the final document requires the password to open it. This one is available only with Acrobat Sign Solutions. 

For more information, please refer to the following community help document: https://adobe.ly/4di4jRp. 

The feature to password protect a PDF is still available in Acrobat. Please refer to the information in the following help document: https://adobe.ly/43kRDF2. 

Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Meenakshi