Redact a PDF so the text is really gone

A black rectangle drawn over a PDF hides text on screen — but the words are usually still in the file, and anyone can select and copy them. Armadillo Scan removes them.

Open the web app Get it for iPhone

Free for 7 days, then $14.99 once — no subscription. After the trial you can still add one document a day for free.

How it works

  1. Open the PDF in the web app or the iPhone app.
  2. Choose Redact and drag over each account number, address or name you want gone.
  3. Save. Every page with a redaction is rebuilt from an image with the box painted in, so the words underneath no longer exist in the document.
  4. Check it: try selecting or searching the redacted text — there is nothing there.

Why Armadillo Scan

Real removal, not a cover-up

The redacted area is burned into the page; there is no text layer left beneath it.

Private by design

Your unredacted original is never uploaded anywhere to be processed.

Works on scans and Word files

Redact a scanned statement, a PDF you received, or a Word document you opened.

Everything else stays intact

Pages you didn't redact keep their selectable, searchable text.

Questions

Why isn't a black box enough?

Most PDF editors add the box as a separate layer on top. The original text is still in the file and can be copied, searched or revealed by deleting the box.

Can redacted text be recovered?

Not from Armadillo Scan's output: a redacted page is rebuilt from pixels, so the text simply isn't in the file any more.

Does it cost anything?

All features are free for 7 days, then a one-time $14.99 unlock — no subscription.

More things it does

Sign a PDF · Merge PDFs · Word to PDF · Receipt scanner · No-subscription scanner · Scan on iPhone