7 min read  |  Security

PDF Access Control

Decide who can view your PDF, how many times, and for how long. Set view limits, require email verification, and revoke access instantly.

Secure Your PDF Now All Features
MaiPDF access control — set view limits on shared PDFs

How It Works

Lock Down a PDF in 3 Steps

1

Upload Your PDF

Drag and drop or browse to upload. Your document is encrypted and stored securely.

Upload a PDF to MaiPDF for access control
2

Set Access Rules

Configure view limits, expiration dates, email verification, passwords, and download restrictions.

Configure PDF access control settings
3

Share with Confidence

Distribute the link knowing your document is protected. Revoke or update access anytime.

Share controlled PDF link and QR code

Access Control Features

Multiple Layers of Document Protection

View Count Limits

Set a maximum number of opens (e.g. 1, 5, or 50). Once the limit is hit, the link automatically becomes inactive.

Email Verification Gate

Require viewers to verify their email address before accessing the document. Captures identity in your audit log.

Expiration Dates

Set an auto-expire date. After that date, the link stops working — no manual intervention needed.

Password Protection

Add a password that recipients must enter before viewing your PDF. Only people with the password can access it.

Revoke Access

Disable any shared link instantly from your dashboard. The URL remains but the document becomes inaccessible.

Replace File, Same Link

Upload a new version of your PDF without changing the sharing URL. All recipients automatically see the updated file.

Watermark Protection

Add dynamic watermarks with the viewer's email or custom text to deter screenshots and unauthorized sharing.

Audit Trail

Every view is recorded with timestamp, device, and viewer identity — giving you a complete access history.

Email Verification

Know Exactly Who Reads Your PDF

When email verification is enabled, viewers must enter their email and confirm it before the PDF loads. This gives you a verified record of every person who accessed your document.

Email verification gate for PDF access

Access Layers

Stack Multiple Layers of Protection

# Layer What It Does When to Use
1 Password Requires a password before the PDF loads. Only people who know the password can access it. Confidential docs
2 Email Verify Viewers must verify their email address. Captures identity and creates an audit trail. Contracts & NDAs
3 View Limit Automatically disables the link after a set number of opens (e.g. 1, 5, 10). One-time access
4 Expiration Link stops working after a specific date. No manual cleanup needed. Time-sensitive offers
5 Watermark Overlays viewer-specific text on every page to deter screenshots and redistribution. Portfolios & IP
6 No Download Disables the download button. Viewers can only read in the online viewer. Prevent copies

All layers can be combined on a single document for maximum protection.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. MaiPDF lets you set a specific view limit (e.g. 5 opens). Once the limit is reached, the link automatically becomes inaccessible.

Yes. You can enable an email verification gate so viewers must enter and verify their email address before accessing the document. This also captures their identity in your access records.

Yes. You can disable the link at any time from your dashboard. The URL will still exist but viewers will see a message that access has been revoked.

Yes. MaiPDF allows you to upload a new version of your PDF while keeping the same sharing link. All existing recipients will see the updated file without needing a new URL.

When the expiration date passes, the link becomes inactive and viewers see a message that the document is no longer available. You can extend or remove the expiration at any time.

Related

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Branding

PDF Branding & Customization

Add dynamic watermarks and professional branding to every PDF you share.

Analytics

PDF Sharing Analytics

Track who opens your PDFs with real-time view counts, timestamps, and Telegram alerts.

Encryption

PDF Encryption

Encrypt your PDFs with password protection and prevent unauthorized editing or copying.

Sharing

Secure PDF Sharing

Share confidential documents with passwords, expiration dates, and download restrictions.

Ready to Control Your PDF Access?

Upload a PDF, set view limits and expiration, then share with confidence — it takes less than a minute.

Secure Your PDF — Free All Use Cases