achinoam01: Another way to remove PDF passwords

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Another way to remove PDF passwords

My insurance company requires me to fill in claim forms in a .pdf form, but won't let me save it once it's filled in (it is password protected). After using virtual printers, utilities, etc. I have found an easier way to bypass the password and save the .pdf (and thus the drudgery of filling in the same info every time I make a claim). Just mail it!

When Preview doesn't allow you to save a file, nor 'Save as PDF' (nor open in Preview) from the print dialog, you can still use 'Mail Selected PDF Document' from the File menu.

Mail will then open a new message with the unprotected document as an attachment. The unprotected document is buried deep inside the private/var folder but can simply be opened in Preview by clicking on it in the mail message and then saved (unprotected) wherever you like.

[crarko adds: I haven't tested this one. This strikes me as a bug.]