Agent Meister-Geek Squad spoke to Bill about Apple's Password Manager is Free - Apple Passwords app - Hasn’t Apple devices saved my logins for years? - Where does the Passwords app work? - What about existing alternative password managers?
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Topic: Apple's Password Manager is Free
Archive Link: https://archive.ph/xKlRH
The internet is a dangerous place, and people who reuse the same tired password everywhere are sitting ducks.
That’s why setting up a password manager is necessary, if annoying. If you have an iPhone or Mac, no more excuses: Apple’s making it a lot easier.
Apple Passwords app
The new Passwords app—available with the latest iPhone, iPad and Mac software recently released (such as iOS 18) —is a proper password manager. It suggests unique, unguessable passwords when you sign up for new accounts and fills them in whenever you need them. Kids constantly hounding you for the Netflix password? You can also share logins with the family. If you change the password, the group is automatically updated.
Hasn’t Apple devices saved my logins for years?
You’re right. Apple’s iCloud Keychain has long suggested, saved and autofilled passwords. But you’d have to dig through settings to actually find your passwords or add a two-factor code. Now, those login details are in one easy-to-access place.
What about
I typically recommend subscription-based security apps, such as 1Password, over free, built-in systems. I still do, but Apple’s Passwords is a great starter. Though missing some advanced features, such as complete cross-platform compatibility, it does all the basics.
Where does the Passwords app work?
You can manage your passwords directly in the Passwords app but the app will also offer your saved passwords , in apps and the Safari web browser on Apple devices.
However, the iCloud Passwords extension also brings Apple’s password manager to Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Macs and Windows PCs.
What about existing alternative password managers?
In my testing, it worked with varying success. The extension auto-filled many logins already in Passwords but often didn’t save new ones. Apple said it knows the issue and is working on a fix.
Just keep in mind that the Passwords doesn’t work on Android devices or other web browsers, such as Firefox.
But Apple’s revamped password manager is ideal for low-tech folks. It’s free and setup is simple.
If you’re willing to do some extra setup work, there are other options that work across nearly all platforms and web browsers. Bitwarden’s free password manager works on many platforms. 1Password (starting at $3 a month) is my favorite because of its easy-to-understand interface and support resources. Dashlane (starting at $5 a month) is a popular option that includes a virtual private network for more private internet access.