Redact a PDF
Black out private details before you share a document. Search for words, emails or phone numbers, or draw over anything, and the text underneath is removed, not just covered.
Nothing is uploaded. Your files stay private.
How to redact a PDF
Three steps, about ten seconds.
- 01
Add your PDF
Drop it in the box, or tap to choose it.
- 02
Mark what to hide
Search for a word or pick Emails or Phone numbers, then drag over anything else, like signatures or photos.
- 03
Redact and download
Marked pages are saved as flat images with black boxes burned in.
Good to know
Drawing a black box in most PDF apps only covers the text: anyone can copy it, search for it or delete the box. Real redaction removes what's underneath. Quikdo does that by turning each marked page into an image with the boxes burned in, so there's no hidden text left to recover.
Pages you don't mark stay exactly as they were, with selectable text and full quality. Remove hidden details also clears the title, author and other metadata, which often contain names.
Search only finds text the PDF really contains. On scanned pages, draw the boxes yourself, then check every page before you send the file.
Frequently asked questions
How do I black out text in a PDF?
Search for words or patterns like emails and numbers, or drag boxes over anything else, then download. The marked content is removed, not just covered.
Can redacted text be recovered?
No. Marked pages are rebuilt as images, so the original text, fonts and hidden layers on those pages are gone.
Why isn't a black box in other apps enough?
Most apps only draw a box on top, so the text underneath can still be copied or searched. Redaction here removes it from the page.
Why can't I select text on the pages I redacted?
Those pages are now images. Run the file through OCR PDF if you need the remaining text to be searchable.
Does it find text in scanned documents?
Search works on real text only. On a scan, drag boxes over what you want hidden.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Redaction happens in your browser, and your file never leaves your device.