Redact a PDF
Black out personal details in a PDF before you share it. What is under the boxes is deleted from the file, not just covered.
Files never leave your device
How this works, honestly
Every page that has a black box becomes a picture of the page with the boxes painted on. What was under a box is deleted from the file for good: it is not just covered. Those pages can no longer be selected or searched as text. Pages without boxes stay as they are. The title, author, keywords and other hidden document details are removed from the saved file, and so are bookmarks, comments and form data.
1. Find words to hide (optional)
Separate several with commas. Capital letters do not matter. Only works on PDFs that have real text, not on scans or photos.
2. Draw black boxes
Drag over anything you want to hide. Tap a box to select it, then use the red cross (or the Delete key) to remove it. Check every page before you save.
3. Picture quality
Working…
Keep this tab open. Large files can take a little while on a phone.
Done
Send it
Opens your phone's share menu — pick any app.
These open in a new tab. Your file is downloaded first; you attach it there yourself.
Your file is downloaded — attach it in the chat or email.
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How to use it
- Step 1: Tap the box and choose the PDF. Optionally type words to find, such as a name or an ID number, and tap Find and mark.
- Step 2: Draw black boxes with your finger or mouse over anything else you want to hide. Remove any box you do not want.
- Step 3: Tap Save redacted PDF, then open it and check every page before you share it.
Your files never leave your device
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to a server, so your documents and photos stay private. It is free, has no watermark and needs no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hidden text really deleted?
Yes. Each page with a black box is turned into a picture with the boxes painted on, and the original page is not kept in the new file. Nothing is hiding underneath: not as text, not in the page content, and not in the file details. A text file made from the saved PDF will not contain what you covered.
What changes in my PDF?
Pages with black boxes become pictures, so their text can no longer be selected, copied or searched. Pages without boxes stay exactly as they were. Hidden document details such as the title, author and keywords are removed, and so are bookmarks, comments and form data.
How does Find and mark work?
It looks through the text of the PDF for the words you type and puts a box over every match. It only works when the PDF has real text. A scan or a photo of a page has no text to search, so draw the boxes by hand.
Why not just draw a black rectangle in another app?
In many apps the rectangle is only placed on top, and the words are still in the file underneath. Anyone can select them or move the rectangle away. This tool removes what is underneath instead.
Does the file get bigger?
Pages with boxes are saved as pictures, which can be larger than text. Choose Small file under Picture quality to keep it light, or Sharp if the page has small print.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. The page pictures and the new PDF are made in your browser, on your device. Nothing is sent to our servers or anyone else.
Read the guide: How to Hide Personal Information in a PDF Before Sharing →