Remove Hidden Metadata from a PDF — Free Tool
PDF files contain hidden metadata that can reveal sensitive information: the author's name, software used, editing history, company name, and even previous versions of content.
Start Redacting for Free →What Hidden PDF Metadata Can Reveal
PDF files contain hidden metadata that can reveal sensitive information: the author's name, software used, editing history, company name, and even previous versions of content. Removing this metadata before sharing PDFs protects your privacy and prevents unintended information disclosure. Our free browser-based redactor helps you clean and sanitize PDF documents — no uploads required.
- Author name and organization — your name and employer are often embedded in every PDF you create
- Software and version info — reveals what applications you use, potentially creating security vectors
- Creation and modification dates — reveals when a document was written or last edited
- Previous document versions — some PDFs retain edit history that can reveal deleted content
How to Redact — 3 Simple Steps
Open Your PDF
Select the PDF you want to sanitize. It loads in your browser — never uploaded to any server.
Redact Sensitive Content
Use our redaction tool to remove any sensitive text content. For metadata specifically, use your PDF viewer's document properties before processing.
Download Sanitized PDF
Download your cleaned PDF. Our processing creates a new clean file with a minimal metadata footprint.
Key Features
🔒 Your Files Never Leave Your Device
Unlike tools that upload your PDFs to remote servers, our tool processes everything locally in your browser using WebAssembly. No server ever sees your documents — not even us. This makes it one of the most private PDF tools available, completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What metadata is removed when I use this tool?
Our tool's processing creates a clean re-rendered version of your PDF, which significantly reduces embedded metadata. For complete metadata stripping, combine with checking document properties in your PDF viewer.
Why does metadata matter in legal or journalistic contexts?
Metadata in PDFs has exposed journalist sources and revealed sensitive information in high-profile legal cases. Always sanitize documents before sharing in sensitive contexts.
Can I check what metadata my PDF contains?
Yes — in Adobe Reader or any PDF viewer, go to File > Properties to see embedded metadata like author name, creation date, and application.
Is this free?
Yes — completely free, no account, no watermarks, no file size limits.
Ready to Redact Your PDF?
Free, instant, private — no account or software required.
Start Redacting for Free →