Remove metadata and hidden data from a PDF
A PDF can carry more than you see: the author's name, editing history, attachments, scripts and hidden layers. Clean them out before you send a document outside your organization.
Free plan with no time limit. Pro free for 7 days, no card needed.
How to remove hidden data from a PDF
Open the document
Choose the PDF from your library or upload it, and open Remove hidden data.
Choose what to remove
Metadata, attachments, scripts, hidden layers and earlier saves are removed; you can also remove comments, form fields, bookmarks and links.
Save the clean copy
The cleaned PDF is saved as a new version, ready to share.
What gets cleaned
Metadata
Author, title, the software used and other document properties that can reveal who made it and how.
Attachments and scripts
Files embedded in the PDF and JavaScript that could run when the document opens.
Hidden layers and earlier saves
Content on hidden layers and leftovers of earlier versions kept inside the file.
Optional extras
Comments, form fields, bookmarks and links, when you want a document that is only its pages.
Pairs with redaction
Redact what's visible, then remove hidden data, so nothing you removed can be found again.
Private by design
Encrypted and private
Every file is encrypted before it's stored, and only you and the people you share with can open it.
Your original stays safe
Every change is saved as a new version. The original is never changed, and you can restore it at any time.
No watermarks
Files you save never get a watermark, on any plan, including the free one.
Works in your browser
Nothing to install. Use it on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Questions and answers
What is PDF metadata?
Information stored about the document rather than on its pages: the author, title, dates and the software used to make it. It can reveal more than you intend when you share a file.
How do I remove metadata from a PDF?
Open the PDF with Remove hidden data in PDFZyro, choose what to remove and save. The cleaned copy is saved as a new version.
Should I remove hidden data after redacting?
Yes, it's good practice. Redaction removes the content you marked; removing hidden data also clears metadata, attachments and earlier saves that might mention it.
Will removing hidden data change how the pages look?
No, the pages look the same. Only if you also choose to remove comments, form fields or links will those disappear from the pages. Digital signatures are removed, because cleaning the file changes it, and PDFZyro shows a report of everything it removed.
Is Remove PDF metadata free?
Yes. Remove PDF metadata isn't counted towards the Free plan's daily tasks, so you can use it as much as you like with files up to 50 MB. Pro adds unlimited edit, convert, compress and OCR tasks and more storage, and is free to try for 7 days.
Related tools
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