You can assign a password to a document so that only those who know the password can open the document. Passwords can consist of almost any combination of numerals, capital or lowercase letters, and special keyboard characters.
A document can have only one password. If you change an existing password when you share a document with others, the new password replaces the original.
Important: There’s no way to recover your password if you forget it. Be sure to choose a password you won’t forget, or write the password down in a safe place.
If your computer or iOS device has Touch ID, you can use it to open documents with your fingerprint alone.
Choose File > Set Password (from the File menu at the top of your screen), enter the requested information, then click Set Password.
If your computer isn’t set up for Touch ID, “Remember this password in my keychain” appears. You can select the checkbox to add the password to your keychain so you don’t have to type the password each time.
If your computer is set up for Touch ID, "Open with Touch ID” appears. You can select the checkbox to turn on Touch ID for the document.
If you add a password after you share a document, be sure to notify participants.
Note: Adding a password to a document encrypts the file.
With the document open, do one of the following:
Change a password: Choose File > Change Password (from the File menu at the top of your screen). Enter the requested information, then click Change Password.
A document can have only one password, so if you change the password when you share the document, that becomes the document’s only password.
Remove a password: Choose File > Change Password. Type the old password, then click Remove Password.
If your Mac has Touch ID, you can open your password-protected documents using your fingerprint.
To set up Touch ID for opening password-protected documents, do both of the following:
Set up Touch ID for your Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Touch ID, click “Add a fingerprint,” then follow the onscreen instructions.
Note: If you don’t see Touch ID, this feature isn’t available on your Mac.
Set up Touch ID for Pages: In Pages, choose Pages > Preferences (from the Pages menu at the top of your screen), then select Use Touch ID.
Double-click the document, then place your finger on the right end of the Touch Bar at the top of your keyboard.
Note: After you set up Touch ID, you can use either your fingerprint or the password to open a protected document.
If you add a password to a document, or change an existing password, it applies only to that version of the document and to subsequent versions.
If the document is shared, to prevent others from restoring an unprotected version of the document or a version with an older password, stop sharing the document, add a unique password to it, then share the document again.