Main Agreement
- The Passwords app is a great addition to the Apple ecosystem. It is perfect for those who own multiple Apple devices.
- It’s completely free, unlike third-party options like 1Password or LastPass, but it lacks some features.
- While you can view your saved passwords on a Windows computer, better options are available, and Apple doesn’t offer an Android app.
One of the best features of iOS 18 that Apple announced at WWDC 2024 was the new Passwords app. I’ve been using it since I installed iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia beta. Now, I’m sure not going back to my old password manager. That is why.
It integrates really well with Apple devices
As someone who primarily uses Apple devices, I find the Passwords app a great addition to the ecosystem. The ease of having the app ready to access all my devices where my Apple account is signed in is unmatched, making it stand out from other third-party password managers.
You can even create shared groups within the app to share passwords or keys with family or friends. You just need to select the contact, choose which passwords to share, and the passwords will appear in their Passwords app in a separate group.
When you open the Passwords app, it will also ask you to authenticate via Touch ID, Face ID, or by entering your device’s passcode. You can also add another layer of security by enabling the Stolen Device Protection feature, which strictly allows only biometric authentication and removes the passcode option.
It also works on my Windows laptop
One of the main reasons people choose a third-party password manager is cross-platform compatibility. Surprisingly, Apple allows you to access your saved passwords through the iCloud app for Windows. This is especially useful for me as I occasionally use a Windows laptop so I’m not stuck.
However, the Windows app is not a complete password manager; it’s built into the iCloud desktop app. Therefore, I would not recommend it if you primarily use a Windows computer. Fortunately, there are some great password managers available for Windows that you can try.
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer an Android app. So if you use a Mac or iPad alongside an Android phone, you’re out of luck.
It’s the easiest password manager I’ve used
When you open the app, you’ll be greeted by a live home page that shows six categories: All, Keys, Passcodes, Wi-Fi, Security, and Erase. The design is pretty minimalistic with no unnecessary features, so everything you need is right in front of you. There are no hidden menus to navigate to access any features.
This is also a big improvement from the previous Passwords menu within the Settings app, which was quite inconvenient to access and felt strangely wrong from the start.
Switching from an existing password manager is also very easy. You can import your saved passwords using a CSV file, and most password managers, like 1Password, allow you to export all your data in this format. This makes it easy to migrate your information.
It doubles as an authentication app
A very underrated feature that Apple didn’t mention is that you can also use the Passwords app as an authenticator app. It can automatically fill in your verification codes without you having to open the app.
SMS-based two-factor authentication isn’t very secure, so it’s good to see Apple implementing and encouraging app-based two-factor authentication. There is no proprietary standard that requires developers to implement Apple’s method; instead, you can set it up to receive 2FA codes, just like any other authenticator app, so that’s definitely a big plus.
I don’t have to pay for it
Perhaps the biggest advantage of Apple’s Passwords app over competitors like 1Password is that it’s completely free. While some may argue that the app is too basic, there’s no reason to pay for a password manager if you just want to store your passwords securely and don’t need extra features.
Most of the other options are subscription-based rather than one-time purchases, which can be a tough pill to swallow for many users. Of course, if you need advanced features like custom fields for additional information or secure notes for sensitive data, 1Password may be a better option. However, if you and your family members mostly use Apple devices, the Passwords app is sufficient for most people.
The Passwords app is just one of the many apps Apple Sherlocked with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Apple plans to release it alongside iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia in the fall of 2024. However, if you want to try it sooner, you can install the iOS 18 developer beta or macOS Sequoia beta. Since these are beta builds, your experience may not be completely stable.