Lance Whitney

Managing the passwords for all your website and app accounts can be challenging. A host of password managers are available to ease the pain. However, if you have an iPhone, one free tool worth considering is Apple's new Passwords app. 

Built into iOS 18, which is currently available in public beta, Apple Passwords helps you create, save, and control all your passwords. Beyond managing traditional passwords, the app will handle passkeys, verification codes, and Wi-Fi credentials. You'll be alerted if any passwords are compromised in a data breach. Plus, you can create a shared group to share passwords with family members and others.

Also: The best free password managers

For this to work on an iPhone, you must be running iOS 18. If you own an iPad or Mac, you can sync your passwords across all your Apple devices, as long as you have iPadOS 18 or MacOS 15 Sequoia.

To start, you'll need to set up Apple Passwords on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The process is the same across the board -- here, we'll cover how to use it on an iPhone.

How to use the Passwords app in iOS 18

1. Review the settings for AutoFill and Passwords

Before opening the app, review the key settings for Apple Passwords. On your iPhone, go to Settings, select General, and then tap "AutoFill & Passwords."

Make sure "AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys" is turned on. If necessary, change the app listed under "AutoFill From" to Passwords. Turn on the switch for "Delete After Use" if you want verification codes to be removed after use. Finally, make sure that the option for "Set Up Codes In" is set to Passwords. 

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

2. Review the settings for the Passwords app

Next, go to Settings, select Apps, and tap Passwords. Here, you can show your accounts as Titles or Websites. Keep the switch on for "Detect Compromised Passwords" to learn if one of your passwords is ever found in a breach. 

Also: 7 password rules to live by in 2024, according to security experts

Be sure to keep the switches on for "Suggest Strong Passwords" and "Allow Automatic Passkey Upgrades."

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

3. Launch the Passwords app

Launch the Passwords app from the Home screen. You'll have to unlock it with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. 

The first time you open the app, you'll be prompted to enable notifications so you can be alerted if one of your passwords is caught in a data breach. Tap Continue and then Allow to turn on notifications.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

4. View imported passwords

If you set up accounts in the past using iCloud Keychain or an anonymous "Sign in with Apple" email address, those are imported into the Passwords app and ready to be used. You can then select a specific account to see the name and email address.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

Now you're ready to set up a password. You can do this in three different ways: 

5. Manually create a password in the app

To manually create a new password in the Passwords app, tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen. In the Website, App, or Label field, type a full website address or the name of a mobile app. 

Enter the username. The app will then suggest a password, which you can tap to edit or change. You can also include notes about the site. When done, hit Save.

5. Manually create a password in the app

To manually create a new password in the Passwords app, tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen. In the Website, App, or Label field, type a full website address or the name of a mobile app. 

Enter the username. The app will then suggest a password, which you can tap to edit or change. You can also include notes about the site. When done, hit Save.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

6. Set up a new account for a website or app

To set up a new account with a website or third-party app, open that site or app and go to the sign-up screen. Fill out your name, username, and other required details. Tap into the Password field and hit the command for "Use Strong Password." 

Apple Passwords will generate a password, which you can then edit or delete, or prompt Apple to try again. The new account information will save as an entry in the Passwords app.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

7. Use an existing account for a website or app

To save the login information for an existing account, sign into the third-party app or website. After you enter your password and log in, you should receive a prompt from the Passwords app asking if you want to save the password. Tap "Save Password," and the account information will save as a new entry.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

8. Use a password

To use a password stored in the app, go to the sign-in screen for the third-party app or website. You should receive a prompt from the Passwords app asking if you want to sign in with your password. Tap the Fill Password button, and the app will enter your username and password for the website or app.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

9. Create a shared group

If you wish to share multiple passwords with others, you can do that through a shared group. Select the icon at the bottom that looks like a series of squares with a plus sign and tap Continue.

Also: The best LastPass alternatives of 2024

Enter a name for the shared group. Tap "Add People" and type a name, email address, or phone number for the peeople you want to invite to the group. When done, tap Add.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

10. Select the passwords to share

Back at the previous screen, tap Create to set up the group. Check the websites and apps for the passwords you want to share. Tap Move to relocate them to the group. Hit "Notify via Messages" to send an invitation text to the group, and then send the message.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

11. View the shared passwords

The people you invite must tap the View button in the text alert to view and accept the invitation. Anyone running iOS/iPadOS 18 or macOS Sequoia can view the shared passwords by selecting the name of the group in the Passwords app.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

12. Manage the group

To manage the group, tap the Info icon next to the number of members. You can change the name of the group, add or remove members, or delete the group entirely.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

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