Preview automatically password protect PDF

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Preview automatically password protect PDF

I was filling out a Australian government form and I noticed a strange behavior that Preview is automatically locking the PDF file with a password.

Note: This issue does not affect all PDF file, but my guess is only when the PDF file has "form" blank spaces that can be automatically detected by the "Show Form Filling Toolbar".

It seems like the PDF file is only password-locked when the file has been modified. I can download the file from the website and open it on my computer without problem. As long as the file remains unedited, I can open and close the document without Preview locking it.

The issue happens when I make edit to the file by filling in the form, click save, and close the file window. That's when the PDF file is now locked with a password.

Another way for this issue to happen is when I'm viewing this PDF file in Safari, and making edits directly in Safari. And then when I click the download icon, I will get a password protected PDF file in my Downloads folder.

I've tried to unlock it with a blank password or my administrative password, and both didn't work.

I've included the link to download the PDF form from Australian Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1195.pdf )

Mac mini

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

etresoft

Level 9

55,280 points

Jul 7, 2023 04:52 AM in response to dhungelnaani

dhungelnaani wrote:

Conclusion: The issue is with recent mac Previews!!

Yes. It is a well-known problem. Apple either doesn't know about it or doesn't plan to fix it.

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Answer 2

Jul 7, 2023 12:38 AM in response to ddLiao

Same here! Strangely, this happened in one of my Macbook Pro (Ventura 13.3) BUT NOT on my macbook (macOS Big Sur). For such similar reasons, I have not yet updated after macOS Big Sur. The new features in recent versions of macbook are awful.

Try opening the file in acrobat reader, it is still editable and no password protection.

If you have a mac with an older version OS, it may work.

Conclusion: The issue is with recent mac Previews!!

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

214,296 points

Apr 28, 2023 02:44 PM in response to ddLiao

I can duplicate your issue with entering data on screen with Safari and then downloading. I also get a password protected file.

However, downloading the file and then trying to enter data I could not. Although I could open it the fields were not fillable. I could use the Markup feature to add text and that caused the file to be password protected when saved. The file also became protected when if it was just saved with nothing being added.

HOWEVER, if you do a print to PDF from the website and then add text via Markup it will save as a non-protected PDF file. So, it would probably be more efficient to fill out the form online and then do a print to PDF. Try it with a couple of fields filled and see if that will work.

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