Open the policy-protected PDF you want to revoke. If the document is a PDF Portfolio, open the portfolio file instead of an individual component PDF.
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Revoke policy-protected PDFs
Last updated on
Jun 7, 2026
Learn how to revoke access to policy-protected PDFs so recipients can no longer open them.
Policy protection allows you to control how recipients access a PDF even after you share it. If a document is no longer valid or should not be accessed, you can revoke the policy to block access immediately.
Sign in to the rights‑management system that protects the document:
- For a single PDF or a component PDF in a PDF Portfolio, sign in to Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management ES.
- For a PDF Portfolio, sign in to Adobe Experience Manager – Forms Server (Document Security).
Select All tools > Protect a PDF > Document Security > Revoke.
Choose a reason for revoking the document from the menu on the web page that opens or type a custom message.
Type the URL location where recipients can access the new document if you're replacing the revoked document.
Select OK to save your changes and complete the revocation.
Once revoked, the document is inaccessible to all users. Recipients who attempt to open the PDF will view your explanation message and a link to any replacement document.
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