Has your iPhone system upgraded to iOS 18? iOS introduces a new system default App: iPhone Passwords app. With the aim to provide much better security, usability, and efficiency for iPhone users, Apple has enhanced its password feature.
Passwords App can help you create, manage, and autofill your passwords, integrated with your Apple ecosystem. This article will mainly cover its overview, how to use it, and talk about its security issues.
What Is the iPhone Passwords App?
Being built in iPhone, the Passwords app is designed to help you securely store and manage passwords. It is one of the features of the iCloud Keychain. You must have come across the iCloud Keychain before when you start to set up an account for an app or a website.
It is a secure, encrypted service provided by Apple. The iCloud Keychain can protect your login credentials, credit card information, and other sensitive data.
One of the most notable features iOS 18 brings to users is the Passwords app, directly installed on users’ devices. So far, it is user-friendly and maintains a high level of security.
Not only does the Passwords app store your passwords, but it also automatically fills in your login information across the website, apps, and services you use. Apple aims to make password management more seamless for iPhone users.
What’s more, the Passwords app also helps you manage 2FA codes, and generate strong passwords. Necessarily, it will send you an alert about compromised passwords. Therefore, you can take full control over your online security.
How to Use the iPhone Passwords App?
Though users are not required to install the Passwords app, most of them feel a bit strange about this new built-in app. To use it more effectively, check the following steps and learn how to set it up on your iPhone.
1. Adjust “AutoFill & Passwords” Settings
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the “AutoFill & Passwords” settings are enabled on your device.
Once enabled, the Passwords app on your iPhone can automatically fill in passwords and personal information across websites and apps.
To adjust “AutoFill & Passwords” settings:
- Navigate: Settings>AutoFill & Passwords.
- Toggle the “AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys” on.
- In the “AUTOFILL FROM:” choice, tap on “Passwords”.
- You can also click “Delete After Use” to have the phone automatically delete the verification codes in messages and Mail after being used.
These adjustments can help you deal with manually entering your credentials.
2. Adjust the Passwords App Settings
Next, let’s go over the iPhone Passwords app settings to ensure everything is ready for security and usability.
To let iPhone access and manage your saved passwords:
- Navigate: Settings>Apps>Passwords.
- Toggle on these settings: “Detect Compromised Passwords”, “Suggest Strong Passwords”, and “Allow Automatic Passkey Upgrades”.
These settings can make most of the password security features on iPhone.
3. Embark on Using the iOS 18 Passwords App on iPhone
Once you’ve adjusted your settings, it’s time to start using the Passwords app. When you sign into websites or apps on Safari or other apps that support the iOS password manager, your iPhone will prompt you to save the password to the Passwords app. The next time you visit those websites or apps, it will automatically autofill your credentials.
Different Section Introduction
After you open the Passwords app, you will receive a password-locking prompt. You need to enter your iPhone passcode to view the Passwords app.
There are three main parts in the Passwords app: Search bar, six different password columns, and Shared Groups.
The six different password columns: All, Passkeys, Codes, WLAN, Security, and Delete.
Create a Password in the App
If you’re creating a new account on a website or app, you can easily generate a secure, unique password in the Password app.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Passwords app and click the add icon “+” in the bottom right corner.
- Enter the website name or app name, and your username, and then tap on Password.
- After you click the password black sheet, the Passwords app will automatically show you a “Strong Password Suggestion” prompt. You can choose it as your ultimate password.
One of the wonderful features iOS 18 brings to users is the ability to share your saved passwords with others securely. For example, if you’re managing an account with family members or colleagues, you can create a shared group of passwords.
To create a shared group:
- Open the Passwords app.
- Choose the “New Shared Group” feature, and click “Continue”.
- You can add a “Group Name” and click “Add People” to invite someone to the group. Anyway, they must be in your contacts.
- Click “Create”. Done.
Is iPhone Passwords App Safe?
Yes, the Passwords app is very secure, as narrated above.
The iCloud Keychain will protect your data because it’s equipped with AES-256 encryption. This means that even Apple cannot access your passwords because they are encrypted and decrypted on your device.
In addition, all passwords saved in the app are protected by Face ID or Touch ID. It is more difficult for unauthorized users to access them.
More importantly, Apple enhanced its security feature with password monitoring. This feature compares your saved passwords with a list of known data breaches and immediately alerts you if any of your credentials are found to have been compromised.
For more security, you can consider using LightningX VPN. The same as Apple, LightningX VPN also provides advanced encryption algorithms AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305. These can ensure your password data will not be intercepted or deciphered during transmission.
Download LightningX VPN to add an extra layer for your password management.
Conclusion
Password management is of great significance. This article mainly introduces the new iPhone Passwords app for you, covering an overview, how to use it, and a discussion about its security issues. Whether you’re using it for personal or work-related accounts, the Passwords app can safeguard your information in a convenient way.
