Password decryption happens locally on your device using client-side JavaScript and WebAssembly (pdf.js). When you drop a protected PDF and enter the password you already know, Convert26 never opens a network upload for the file or the password: both stay in browser memory while the PDF security handler decrypts content streams on your CPU.
That design means plain passwords and decrypted files are never sent over the network. There is no temporary cloud copy, no remote unlock queue, and closing the tab discards in-memory data. You stay in control of confidential documents from open to download.
After a successful open, the tool writes a new PDF without the encryption dictionary so standard readers open it without a password prompt. We do not crack, brute-force, or guess passwords — AES-128/256 protected files unlock only when you supply the correct owner or user password.
All modern browsers that support WebAssembly (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) can run this unlock flow. Pair Unlock PDF with Compress PDF, Merge PDF, or PDF to Word when you need a full private document workflow on Convert26.