Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

WordPress Hidden PDFs for Download

If you're running a WordPress website and looking to share private PDF files with your users, you may not want to display download links publicly. Fortunately, WordPress offers a secret feature that allows you to hide PDF file downloads until a user submits a form or enters a password. In this article, we’ll explore how to add hidden PDFs for download on your WordPress website.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Hidden Download Plugin

To begin, you need to install and activate the Hidden Download plugin, which allows you to create password-protected or form-locked download links for your PDF files. Here’s how:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard
2. Click on ‘Plugins’ > ‘Add New’
3. Search for ‘Hidden Download’
4. Install and activate the plugin

Step 2: Upload PDF files

Once the plugin is activated, go to Media > Add New to upload your PDF files that you wish to hide. You also have the option to select an already uploaded file.

Step 3: Add Password or Form Lock to the PDF

To add a password or form lock to your PDF file, follow these steps:

Password Lock

1. Go to Media > Library
2. Click on the PDF file you want to password protect
3. In the ‘Attachment Details’ section, scroll down and click on the ‘Hidden Download’ toggle button
4. Enter your preferred password
5. Click on save

Form Lock

1. Go to the Hidden Download plugin section
2. Click ‘Add New’ and enter the title of your form
3. Choose the type of form you want (e.g. Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, etc.)
4. Set up your form on the ‘Services’ tab
5. Return to the ‘Download Files’ tab
6. Choose the file you want to lock and select the form you’ve just created
7. Save the changes

Step 4: Add Hidden Download Link to a Page

Now that your PDF files are hidden, you need to add the download link to a page or post. Here’s how:

1. Go to Pages > Add New
2. Enter the title of your page
3. Click the ‘+’ sign to add a block
4. Search for the ‘Hidden Download’ block and select it
5. Select the PDF file you want to link to
6. Click ‘Embed’
7. Save and Publish the page

Conclusion

With this step-by-step guide, you can now successfully hide PDF downloads on your WordPress website. By using the Hidden Download plugin, you can securely share files with your users by password-locking or form-protecting them. This method ensures that only authorized users can access your PDF files – giving you better control and security over the information you’re sharing.