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Redact PDF

Black out private details for good. Your PDF stays on your device.

Drop your PDF here

How to Redact a PDF

Black out names, account numbers or signatures so they cannot be recovered from the file.

Step-by-step

  1. 1Choose your PDF. It opens on your device and is not uploaded.
  2. 2Drag over each private detail. Go through every page.
  3. 3Click "Redact PDF".
  4. 4Download the new file, then open it and check every page.

Why a black box is not always enough

  • A shape drawn over a PDF can leave the words underneath in the file.
  • Filero paints the area black on an image of the page and builds a new PDF from those images.
  • The original text layer and document details are left behind.

Before you share the file

  • Check every page, because only marked areas are hidden.
  • Pages become images, so text cannot be searched afterwards.
  • The file can be larger than the original.

Also try

Protect PDFEdit PDFSign PDFWatermark PDF

How the redaction works

InputOne PDF, including scanned PDFs
MarkingDrag boxes over the areas to hide, on any page
MethodEach page becomes an image and the areas are painted black
OutputNew PDF with no selectable text
File sizeNo set limit. It depends on your device memory.
Where it runsIn your browser. The file is not uploaded.

Filero reads the finished file back and will not offer the download if any text is found.

Frequently asked questions

Can redacted text be recovered from the file?

No text from the original PDF is copied into the new file. Each page is an image with the marked area painted black, and Filero reads the finished file back to confirm it has no selectable text.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No. Redact PDF runs in your browser, so the document stays on your device. The site can still send its usual analytics, but your file and its contents are never part of that.

Why can I no longer select or search the text?

Every page becomes an image. That is what removes the original text, including text you did not mark. If you need searchable text, keep your original safe and redact only the copy you share.

Does it find private details for me?

No. You choose what to hide by dragging over it. Check every page, because only the areas you mark are covered.

Does it work on scanned PDFs?

Yes. Scanned pages are already images, and the boxes work the same way.

What about a PDF with a password?

Unlock it first with Unlock PDF, using the password you already have, then open it here.