Way 1. Redact a PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF
SwifDoo PDF for Mac is a lightweight and professional PDF that supports PDF creation, editing, annotation, printing, and protection. It has a modern and intuitive interface layout designed specifically for macOS users. Anyone, even beginners, will find SwifDoo PDF easy to use.
With the help of SwifDoo PDF for Mac, you can easily black out text, images, or any area. They will become invisible, but it will also no longer be selectable and will be permanently deleted. In addition to redaction, it also allows you to password-protect a PDF on Mac. You can add an open password or permission password to prevent unauthorized access and modification.
Here is how to redact a PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF:
1. Download, install, and launch SwifDoo PDF for Mac.
2. Click Open PDF to import the PDF you want to redact.
3. Then, click the Annotate button at the top menu and choose Highlight or Area Highlight. Set the color to black.
4. Now, you can black out the text or any content.
5. Finally, click the Save button to save the changes.
As you can see, SwifDoo PDF's workflow is very simple. You can complete the task with just a few clicks. If you prefer a professional PDF protection solution but want to avoid a learning curve, SwifDoo PDF is an excellent choice. Try it now!
Way 2. Redact a PDF on Mac in Preview
Preview is macOS’s built-in app that allows users to view and edit PDFs on a Mac. Although its functionality is limited, it is sufficient to meet basic needs. The biggest advantage of using Preview is that you don't need to download any software. It is preloaded on all Macs and integrates smoothly with macOS.
In Preview, you can access the Redact tool under the Markup. It can help you redact text to make it invisible. However, please note that it doesn't sanitize hidden data, such as metadata or embedded objects. Anyway, Preview is a good solution for simple and quick tasks.
Learn how to redact PDF on Mac in Preview:
1. Double-click the PDF to open it in Preview. If it does not work, please right-click the PDF > choose Open With > select Preview.
2. Click the Tools from the menu bar and choose Redact.
3. A warning prompt will appear; please click OK to continue.
4. Now, you can drag your cursor to cover the text you want to redact.
Preview allows you to change redactions during the editing process easily. When you drag again on the text, it will remove the redaction. If you place the cursor over redacted text, it will display the original text.
Way 3. Redact a PDF on Mac via Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry-leading PDF editor. It offers a comprehensive redaction and data cleansing tool. You can use Adobe to black out text, images, search-and-redact patterns, and entire pages. After redaction, it will remove metadata, hidden layers, JavaScript, and other sensitive information to ensure complete confidentiality. You can even redact a signed PDF with Adobe Acrobat.
However, if you want to use the redaction or other advanced tools, you will need to pay a subscription fee. In addition, the learning curve for advanced tools is quite steep. Therefore, Adobe Acrobat is more suitable for professionals or corporate employees.
Steps to redact PDFs in Adobe Acrobat:
1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Go to Tools and select the "Redact a PDF" option.
2. Drag around text or mark content to remove.
3. Click Apply and toggle “Sanitize” to remove hidden data.
4. Save the PDF as a new file.
Way 4. Redact a PDF on Mac Using an Online Tool
Many online PDF editors can also help you redact PDFs. You can complete the job directly in the browser without needing to download any software. Just upload and edit quickly. Most online tools can help you redact a PDF for free, while advanced features may require a payment.
Using an online redaction tool is a good option for temporary tasks. However, slow loading may occur when processing large documents. In addition, uploading documents to the server may pose security risks. If you have made up your mind, you can follow the steps below.
1. Open your browser and visit an online redaction tool, such as Smallpdf (https://smallpdf.com/redact-pdf).
2. Upload the PDF document.
3. Move your cursor to black-out or delete sensitive content.
4. Finally, click the Download button to download the redacted file.
Conclusion
That’s all about how to redact a PDF on Mac. Removing sensitive information from PDF files is essential for protecting privacy, complying with regulations, and enabling secure sharing. Preview and online tools are suitable for one-time tasks. However, if you need professional-level processing, you can choose between SwifDoo PDF and Adobe Acrobat.
