Help
Redactor is a simple two-step tool: mark what you want removed, then save. Here's everything you need to know.
What is true redaction?
Redacting a PDF means permanently removing sensitive content so it cannot be recovered, not just hiding it on screen.
Many PDF tools only draw a black rectangle on top of the page. That is a visual overlay: the original text, images, and vector data remain in the file underneath. A recipient can often still select, copy, or search the hidden content, or extract it with utilities such as pdftotext, Acrobat export, or forensic tools. Hidden layers and metadata may survive too.
Redactor works differently. When you click Save, the marked content is removed from the file itself, not just covered up. Your original file is never modified; you download a separate filename-redacted.pdf.
How to use
Open your PDF
On the home screen, drag and drop a PDF onto the drop zone, or click it to choose a file from your device. The document opens in your browser for viewing and redaction. Only PDF files are supported. If the file is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the password locally.
Mark content for redaction
Select the Redact tool (R) in the toolbar. The cursor changes to a crosshair. Click and drag over any text, image, or area you want to remove. A solid black box will appear where you drag. You can draw as many boxes as you like, across as many pages as needed.
Select, move, and resize boxes
While in Redact mode, click an existing box to switch to Select and edit it: drag to move, or use the corner handles to resize. Click empty space on the page to switch back to Redact mode. You can also pick the Select tool (V) in the toolbar. Press Delete or click the × button to remove a box. Use Ctrl/Cmd+Z to undo and Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Z to redo.
Find and mark text automatically
Click Find in the toolbar (or press Ctrl/Cmd+F) to search the PDF locally. Matching lines are listed. Click Mark on one result or Mark all to add redaction boxes over every match. Enable Regex for pattern-based matching.
Zoom in and out
Use the – and + buttons in the toolbar, or press Ctrl/Cmd + − / Ctrl/Cmd + +. The current zoom level is shown between them. Zooming in helps you draw precise boxes, and they stay anchored to the page content regardless of zoom level.
Save the redacted PDF
When you're happy with your boxes, click Save. You'll see a confirmation. This is your chance to double-check, because redaction is permanent. Once you confirm, the marked content is physically deleted from the file (not just covered up), and a new file named filename-redacted.pdf is downloaded to your device. Your original file is not changed.
Exit and open a different file
Click ← Home in the toolbar at any time to close the current document and return to the home screen. If you have boxes that have not been saved yet, you will be asked to confirm before leaving. After a successful Save, you can go Home freely, and your original file on your device remains untouched.
Editing on a phone or tablet
Mobile editor controls
On smaller screens, the editor uses a touch-friendly layout. The filename appears in a strip at the top; the main toolbar sits in a two-row dock at the bottom. The site footer is hidden while you edit so the PDF has more room.
On larger touch screens (some tablets in landscape, touch laptops, and similar devices that keep the desktop layout), the top toolbar includes Move as well. Use it to scroll with one finger and pinch-zoom with two.
Top row: Home · Move · Redact · Select · More
Bottom row: zoom out · zoom level · zoom in · fit to width · Save
- Move — the default mode when you open a PDF on a touch device. Drag with one finger to scroll through pages. Pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out. On desktop layout, pick Move in the toolbar (or press
H). - Redact — draw black boxes over content you want removed.
- Select — tap a box to move or resize it, or delete it with the × button.
- More — Find text, Undo/Redo, and Clear all marked boxes.
On the home screen and desktop editor, the theme button in the top bar cycles through Light, System (follow your device), and Dark each time you tap it. It is hidden on mobile while editing to leave more room for the PDF. On larger screens, keyboard shortcuts (R, V, H, and others) still apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is true PDF redaction?
True redaction permanently removes sensitive content from a PDF so it cannot be recovered, not just hidden on screen. Many tools only draw a black rectangle on top, leaving the original text and images recoverable underneath. Redactor physically deletes marked content from the file bytes when you save.
Does my PDF get uploaded to Redactor?
No. Your PDF never leaves your device. All viewing, redacting, and saving happens entirely in your browser with no server upload.
How is Redactor different from a black box overlay?
A black rectangle drawn on top of a page leaves the original content fully recoverable. Redactor uses true redaction that physically removes text runs, vector paths, and image data inside each marked region from the PDF byte stream.
Do I need an account to redact a PDF?
No account is required. Open your PDF on the home screen, mark content for redaction, and download a separate filename-redacted.pdf copy. Your original file is never modified.
Is redaction permanent?
Yes. Once you confirm Save, marked content is physically deleted from the downloaded file and cannot be undone. Always verify the output before sharing sensitive documents.
Can I redact PDFs on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Redactor includes a touch-friendly mobile editor with Move, Redact, Select, and Save controls. On smaller screens the toolbar sits in a two-row dock at the bottom for easier use.
Check your output: After saving, open the downloaded
filename-redacted.pdf and try selecting text under the black boxes. There should be nothing to copy. Always verify before sharing sensitive documents.