How to remove metadata from a PDF
Published 26 Sept 2026 · Sumit · Privacy
PDFs often carry author names, software names, and dates in document Info fields. Remove metadata clears common fields so you do not accidentally share that packaging with the file.
It does not claim to erase every possible hidden stream or attachment. For sensitive shares, also redact page content and review attachments.
Step by step
- 1Open Remove metadata and drop in your PDF.
- 2Run strip and download the cleaned file.
- 3Open PDF info (or your viewer’s properties) and confirm author/title fields are cleared.
- 4If the document still has sensitive page content, redact next — metadata cleanup is not redaction.
What gets cleared
Common Info fields such as title, author, subject, keywords, and dates. That covers most “who made this?” leaks in everyday office PDFs.
What this is not
It is not a forensic wipe of every embedded object. Embedded files, some XMP trails, and page content are separate problems — use Extract attachments, Redact, and human review when stakes are high.
Limits
- Does not scrub every hidden stream or attachment.
- Does not redact text on the page.
- Always verify properties on the downloaded file.
Tools used here
- Remove metadataClear common Info fields (title, author, subject, keywords, dates). Does not scrub every hidden stream.
- PDF infoInspect page count, dimensions, and document metadata.
- Privacy scannerScan a PDF for PII patterns and report what was found, without removing it.
- RedactDraw black boxes over sensitive regions. Matched pages are rasterized so covered text is destroyed.
- Confidential SendPrivate prep in one pass — scan/redact PII, strip metadata, watermark, encrypt — or Email Ready. Batch many PDFs into a zip.
Frequently asked questions
Does remove metadata upload my file?
No. It runs in your browser.Is metadata the same as redaction?
No. Metadata is document properties. Redaction removes visible (and recoverable) page content.
Related guides
More in privacy- Remove a PDF passwordStrip the password from a document you have the right to open, without uploading it.
- Redact before sharingWhy black rectangles are not redaction, and how to remove content so it stays removed.
- Unlock a PDF legallyRemove protection from a document you are allowed to open — with the password, not a crack.
- Are online PDF tools safe?Upload-based tools keep copies under their policies; local tools never need the file.
- PDF privacy guideA clear picture of upload pipelines vs in-browser processing — and how to share PDFs with less risk.
- Password-protect a PDFAdd an open password so the file cannot be read without it — encryption stays local.