Apple’s new password manager is free. That’s just one reason to use it.

That’s why installing a password manager is necessary, even though it can be annoying. If you have an iPhone or Mac, there are no more excuses: Apple makes it much easier.

The new Passwords app, available with the latest iPhone, iPad and Mac software, is a convenient password manager. It suggests unique, unpredictable passwords when you sign up for new accounts and fills them in when you need them. Are kids constantly pestering you for your Netflix password? You can also share login information with your family. If you change the password, the group will be updated automatically.

Maybe you’re thinking: Wait a minute. Apple devices haven’t saved my login information for years?

You are right. Apple’s iCloud Keychain has long suggested, saved, and autofilled passwords. But to actually find your passwords or add a two-factor code, you’ll need to dig deep into the settings. Now that login information is in one easy-to-access place.

I generally recommend subscription-based security apps like 1Password over free, built-in systems. I still do, but Apple’s Passwords are a great start. Although it is missing some advanced features such as full cross-platform compatibility, it fulfills all the basic features.

Here’s how to take your password security to the next level.

Prepare your passwords

A recent Verizon analysis found that there have been more than 10,000 data breaches this year (a record number), and many of these attacks used stolen credentials. A password manager increases security and is difficult to hack, but only 24% of people use a password manager, according to a global survey by authentication company Yubico.

It will be difficult to memorize all passwords. According to a 2024 survey by security company NordPass, the average number of passwords per person between business and personal accounts is 255. This is where a password manager comes into play.

The beauty of the Passwords app is that once you install the latest iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia software, this software is pre-downloaded on your Apple devices and synced with your Apple account. If you use Apple to create and save your passwords, everything is already set up.

If you’ve never saved a password before, the Passwords app can save login information as you enter websites. Next time you create or change a password, the app will automatically suggest and remember a secure, unique, no-nonsense password for you.

Passwords work best across the company’s ecosystem, apps, and the Safari web browser on Apple devices. But the iCloud Passwords extension brings Apple’s password manager to Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Macs and PCs. It worked with varying success in my tests. The extension automatically filled in many logins already in Passwords, but often did not save new ones. Apple said it was aware of the issue and was working on a fix.

Opening

Passwords are locked. The key is your Touch ID or Face ID scan or your device’s passcode.

You’ll find that your digital secrets are divided into several categories: If you’ve used Apple’s iCloud Keychain password protector in the past, “All” is where you’ll find your passwords. “Codes” generate time-based two-factor codes. “Passwords” lists the websites you’ve signed up to log in without a password. “Wi-Fi” is for network logins. And “Security” flags weak or exposed passwords that need to be changed.

In Shared Groups, you can securely share your passwords with anyone as long as they’re an Apple user.

There are two more steps to ensure these easy and fast logins. First, go to Settings > General > Autofill & Passwords to enable it on your iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac. Then, go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Passwords & Keychain to enable password syncing between your devices.

If you’ve stored your passwords elsewhere (for example, in your Chrome browser), you can import them to your Mac.

Evaluation of alternatives

Apple’s revamped password manager is ideal for low-tech folks. It’s free and simple to install.

“Using something is better than nothing,” said Romeo Gardner, managing director of Nehlos Cybersecurity, which works with small businesses and government agencies. Still, he hopes Passwords could be a stepping stone towards a third-party app with more security features.

He said cross-platform functionality is important. Passwords do not work on Android devices or other web browsers like Firefox.

Additionally, Apple’s Passwords app doesn’t let you set a unique master password. The password managers I recommend are encrypted with a single master password that only you can access, not even the app creator.

Apple’s Passwords, on the other hand, use the same password that unlocks your device. As my colleague Joanna Stern and I reported, thieves obtained those passwords and then stole iPhones to infiltrate online accounts.

There are other options if you want to do extra installation work. Bitwarden’s free password manager works on many platforms. 1Password (starting at $3 per month) is my favorite because of its easy-to-understand interface and support resources. Dashlane (starting at $5 per month) is a popular option that includes a virtual private network for more private internet access.

Passwords are so important that Apple named an app after them. But no matter which manager you choose, never forget to set up two-factor authentication to make your accounts even more secure.