Redact PDF
Permanently remove sensitive text and images.
or drag and drop PDFs here
Files are processed on your device and never uploaded.
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To redact a PDF, open the file, drag over the areas to hide or search for text (names, emails, phone, IC or account numbers), then click Redact PDF. The marked content is permanently deleted from the file, not just covered, and hidden metadata can be removed too. Everything happens on your device.
How to redact PDF
- Select your PDF fileClick “Select file” or drop your PDF file on the page.
- Choose your optionsDrag over what to remove, or use Find text and the automatic finders for emails, phone and ID numbers.
- Click “Redact PDF”The result is created on your device in seconds and downloads automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is the redacted text really gone?
Yes. Pages with redactions are rebuilt, so the original text, images and fonts underneath are removed from the file. The rest of the page stays searchable.
Can I redact scanned documents?
Yes. Drag boxes over the areas by hand. Automatic search needs text, so run OCR PDF first if you want to search a scan.
What is the difference between redaction and white-out?
White-out only hides content visually, and it can still be copied. Redaction deletes it permanently.
Is Redact PDF free?
Yes. Redact PDF on HappyPDF is completely free: no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit.
Are my files safe?
Yes. Your files are processed inside your own browser and are never uploaded to HappyPDF’s server,, so nobody else can see them.
Does it work on phone, Mac and Windows?
Yes. It works in any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, Samsung Internet) on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPhone/iPad. Nothing to install.