# unlock(withPassword:) Attempts to unlock an encrypted document. ``` func unlock(withPassword password: String) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `password` The password to unlock an encrypted document (you cannot lock an unlocked PDF document by using an incorrect password). ## Return Value if the specified password unlocks the document, otherwise. ## Discussion If the password is correct, this method returns , and a `PDFDocumentDidUnlockNotification` notification is sent. Once unlocked, you cannot use this function to relock the document. If you attempt to unlock an already unlocked document, one of the following occurs: - If the document is unlocked with full owner permissions, `unlockWithPassword` does nothing and returns . The password string is ignored. - If the document is unlocked with only user permissions, `unlockWithPassword` attempts to obtain full owner permissions with the password string. If the string fails, the document maintains its user permissions. In either case, this method returns . --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)