Redact a PDF permanently
Black out personal details, account numbers or signatures. Unlike a black box on top, Folio's redaction removes the content from the file.
or drop your PDF here
Your files never leave your device.
- Your files stay with you
- Free, no watermark
- Works on any device
In short
To redact a PDF securely, open it in Folio, choose Redact and drag over the content to remove. When you download, each redacted page is rebuilt as an image, so the text under the black box no longer exists in the file and cannot be copied or recovered. Your file is never uploaded.
Updated
How it works
- 1Choose your PDF.
- 2Pick Redact and drag over everything you want removed.
- 3Download. The redacted pages are flattened so the content is gone.
Why a black box is not enough
Many tools just draw a black rectangle over the text. The words are still in the file and can be copied out or revealed. Folio rebuilds every redacted page as an image, so what was underneath is deleted.
What to check before sharing
- Redact every copy of a detail, including headers and footers
- Check signatures, stamps and photos as well as text
- Remember that redacted pages become images, so their text is no longer searchable
ID numbers people usually redact
- United States: Social Security number (SSN), ITIN and driver's licence number
- United Kingdom: National Insurance number and NHS number
- India: Aadhaar number, PAN and bank account details
- Canada: Social Insurance Number (SIN); Australia: Tax File Number (TFN)
- Everywhere: passport numbers, card numbers, IBANs, home addresses and signatures
Why Folio
Your files stay with you
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, so private documents stay private.
Free, no watermark
No sign-up, no trial and no logo stamped on your pages.
Works on any device
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or iPhone. No software to install.
Frequently asked questions
Is Folio really free?+
Yes. Every tool is free to use, with no sign-up, no trial and no watermark on your pages.
Can redaction be undone after downloading?+
No. That is the point: the content under the redaction is removed from the downloaded file. Keep your original if you need it.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?+
No. Folio opens and edits your PDF inside your browser. The file never leaves your device, so nothing is stored on a server and nobody else can see it.
What is the difference between redact and whiteout?+
Whiteout covers content with a colour but leaves it in the file. Redact removes it permanently.
More PDF tools
Edit and sign
- Edit PDFChange text, add text and images, sign, highlight and draw.
- Sign PDFDraw, type or upload your signature and place it on the page.
- Add text to PDFType anywhere on a PDF, in any size and colour.
- Fill PDF formType into form fields, tick boxes and choose options.
- Highlight PDFHighlight, underline and draw on a PDF.
- Whiteout PDFCover text or images with white, then type over them.
Organise pages
- Merge PDFCombine several PDFs and images into one file.
- Split PDFBreak a PDF into several files by page range.
- Rotate PDFTurn pages that are sideways or upside down.
- Delete PDF pagesRemove the pages you don't need.
- Organise PDFReorder, rotate, duplicate and insert pages.
- Add watermarkStamp text such as CONFIDENTIAL across every page.
- Add page numbersNumber every page, in the position and style you choose.