If you share PDFs from your Mac without cleaning them first, you may be sending far more than the visible pages: author names, creation dates, comments, form field values, embedded files, and even "deleted" content that is still physically present in the file [K5]. You can remove PDF metadata on a Mac quickly and free using OctopusPDF, a browser-based PDF tool suite that processes files 100% locally with zero uploads [K1][K2]. The Metadata tool wipes document properties in one click [K2]; the Redact / Sanitize tool goes further and physically removes hidden content before you share [K1]. No Mac app download is required, and the free tier covers 3 conversions per day with files up to 20 MB [K1]. The same workflow is used by solo attorneys before sending documents and by accountants before e-filing client files [K4].
What You Will Need
- A Mac with any modern web browser. OctopusPDF runs in the browser, so no PDF software installation is needed [K2].
- The PDF file(s) you want to clean. The instructions work for PDFs you created, merged, annotated, or received from someone else [K4].
- An internet connection to open the OctopusPDF page. Once the page loads, the file is processed inside your browser and never uploaded to a server [K1][K2].
- No paid subscription. The free tier allows 3 conversions per day and 20 MB per file; Pro adds unlimited conversions, 100 MB files, and batch mode if you need it later [K1].
Step-by-Step Instructions
This tutorial covers two procedures:
- Fast path (Steps 1–6): remove document properties such as Title, Author, Creator, and dates with the Metadata tool [K2].
- Thorough path (Steps 7–9): remove those properties plus comments, annotations, hidden layers, embedded files, form field values, and deleted-but-present content with the Redact / Sanitize tool [K1][K5].
Step 1. Choose the tool your file needs
Before opening a tool, decide how deep the cleaning has to go.
| If your file… | Use… | What gets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Was created by you and only needs its document properties cleared | Metadata tool (under Edit tools on octopuspdf.com) | Title, author, and more, wiped in one click [K2] |
| Was annotated, edited, merged, received from a client, or contains forms | Redact / Sanitize tool (octopuspdf.com/redact) | Metadata (title, author, creator, dates), comments and annotations, deleted content still present in the file, embedded files, hidden layers, and form field values [K1][K5] |
If you are creating a PDF from photos, note that OctopusPDF's Images to PDF tool already strips source metadata such as camera EXIF, location, and software fingerprints when it builds the PDF [K3].
[Insert screenshot: A side-by-side comparison of the Metadata tool and the Redact / Sanitize tool on the OctopusPDF site.]
Step 2. Open the correct tool in your browser
For the fast path, go to https://octopuspdf.com and select Metadata from the Edit tools [K2]. For the thorough path, go directly to https://octopuspdf.com/redact [K1].
The tool loads as a web page in your browser tab. There is nothing to install and no account setup described in the workflow.