Redact a PDF
Remove confidential passages for good – not just blacked out.
- Stays on your device
- No limits
- No watermark
- No account
How can I check that nothing is uploaded?
Your files are processed in this browser tab. This page has no function that sends files to a server, and its security rules (Content Security Policy) forbid connections to other servers.
Check it yourself: load this page, then switch on flight mode or disconnect Wi-Fi and run the tool. It still works – because everything happens on your device.
Good to know
How it works – step by step
Choose your PDF
Select the PDF you want to remove something from.
Mark passages
Search for terms, use presets for e-mail, phone, IBAN and dates or draw areas right on the preview. Check every hit in the list and exclude single ones.
Redact and save
Tap “Redact”. The marked content is removed for good – it can neither be copied nor recovered.
Why FaLe?
Really removed
Pages with marks are rebuilt as images and the text underneath is deleted from the file. A black box with the text still underneath cannot happen.
Finds personal data
Presets for e-mail addresses, phone numbers, IBANs and dates, plus your own search terms and regular expressions. Values in form fields and comments are found too.
Review first, then redact
All hits are listed with their page. Tap one to see it on the page, or exclude it.
Hidden data, too
If you like, the tool also removes properties such as author and title, XMP metadata, attachments and JavaScript.
| FaLe Tools | Typical online tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Where are files processed? | In your browser, on your device | Usually on the provider’s server – the file is uploaded |
| Account needed? | No | Often for larger files or more runs |
| Limits | No artificial limits | Often daily limits or size caps in the free version |
| Watermark | Never | With some providers in the free version |
| Works offline | Yes, after the first visit | No |
| Ads and tracking | None | Often banner ads and analytics services |
Frequently asked questions
Is the text really removed or just covered?
It is really removed. Every page with a mark is rebuilt as an image with burned-in black boxes; the page’s original text, images, form fields and comments are deleted from the file.
What is the downside of image pages?
On redacted pages the text can no longer be selected or searched, and links there stop working. The file gets a bit larger. Pages without marks stay unchanged.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Searching and redacting happen entirely in your browser. Especially with confidential documents, nothing leaves your device.
Does the search find text in scanned PDFs?
Only if the scan has a text layer. Pure image scans have no text to find – just draw the areas with your finger on the preview.
Do the presets find all personal data?
No, they find typical formats. Still check the document yourself and add search terms or areas if something is missing.
More features in the FaLe PDF app
Sign, fill in forms, scan with text recognition and more than 40 other tools – free, no account and offline, too.