Decrypt PDF on Android
Decrypt PDF on your Android phone or tablet right in Chrome — no Play Store app, no account, and nothing to install. ContinuePDF works with the Android share sheet, Files by Google, and Google Drive, so you can decrypt your protected PDF from wherever it lives. The whole thing runs on your device, so it works well even on a slower connection.
Start Decrypt PDF NowHow to Decrypt PDF on Android
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Open ContinuePDF in Chrome
On your Android device, open Decrypt PDF in Chrome. Use the menu's "Add to Home screen" for app-like access.
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Add a file from Downloads or Drive
Tap to add your protected PDF and pick from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive.
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Save to Downloads
Run the tool and unlocked PDF saves to your Downloads folder, ready to share via the share sheet.
What you can do with Decrypt PDF
Decrypting removes a password you already know from a PDF, so the file opens freely afterwards — useful once a document no longer needs to be locked.
Stop retyping a password
Remove protection from a statement you open often so you are not entering the password every time.
Prepare a file for tools
Unlock a PDF so it can be merged, edited, or printed by software that will not touch protected files.
Clean up archives
Strip passwords from old documents you no longer need to keep locked.
Share an internal copy
Remove the password before storing a file in a trusted internal system.
Decrypt PDF on Android without the Play Store
Play Store PDF apps tend to be ad-heavy, ask for broad storage permissions, and lock the actual decrypt feature behind a subscription. That is a lot to accept just to process one file, and it means giving an app ongoing access to your documents.
ContinuePDF runs in Chrome instead. There is no app to install and no special permission to grant — you simply pick your protected PDF from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive, decrypt it, and the unlocked PDF saves back to Downloads where the Android share sheet can send it anywhere. Because the work is done on your device, your files are never uploaded.
Why choose ContinuePDF
No Play Store
Runs in Chrome — no app, no ads-heavy download, no broad permissions.
Drive & Files
Pull files from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive.
Share sheet ready
Send unlocked PDF to any app via the Android share sheet.
Works on slow data
Processing is local, so it holds up on a weak connection.
Pro tip
You need the current password to remove it — this unlocks files you are authorised to open, it does not crack unknown passwords. Once unlocked, treat the file as sensitive again if it holds private data, since anyone can now open it.
Frequently asked questions
Can this open a PDF if I do not know the password?
No. Decrypting requires the correct password; it removes protection you already have access to rather than bypassing security on a file you cannot open.
Is the file completely unprotected afterwards?
Yes. Once the password is removed, the downloaded PDF opens without any prompt, so store or re-encrypt it accordingly if it is confidential.
Is there a Decrypt PDF app for Android?
You don't need one. Decrypt PDF runs in Chrome on Android. Add your protected PDF from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive, and unlocked PDF saves to your Downloads folder — no Play Store app required.
Where does the file go after processing on Android?
Unlocked PDF is saved to your device's Downloads folder. From there you can open it in any app or send it with the Android share sheet.
Is ContinuePDF free to use?
Yes. ContinuePDF and all of its tools, including Decrypt PDF, are free with no signup required. Because documents are processed in your browser rather than on our servers, we can offer the full feature set at no cost.
Other ways to Decrypt PDF
Prefer a different device, browser, or setup? Decrypt PDF works the same everywhere.
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Start using our free decrypt tool now — no signup required.
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