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How to Use New Passwords App on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

by Ravi Teja KNTS
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If you’ve recently updated your iPhone to iOS 18, you may have noticed a new Passwords app that wasn’t available before. This is Apple’s latest password manager, designed to store everything from passwords and verification codes to passkeys. But what exactly is this app, and how is it different from the Passwords option we previously had in Settings? Let’s dive into what the new Passwords app offers and how you can use it.

The New Passwords App

The new Passwords app consolidates all your credentials, including Wi-Fi passwords, passkeys, and “Sign in with Apple” details, which were previously scattered across different sections. Now, everything password-related is centralized, making it much easier to manage.

The app is organized into key categories:

  • Passwords: Stores all your website and app login details.
  • Passkeys: The cryptographic keys are stored locally and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) replaces the traditional passwords.
  • 2FA codes: The same Passwords app also acts like a 2FA app (can replace Google Authenticator). It’s like having passwords and 2FA codes in the same app.
  • Wi-Fi passwords: Easily access all your Wi-Fi network credentials – which was not possible before.

It syncs across all Apple devices via iCloud Keychain, ensuring your passwords are up to date on your Mac, iPad, and even Windows PCs through iCloud for Windows. A standout feature is password sharing, where you can create groups to share specific logins with family or trusted contacts, controlling access and modifying or removing shared passwords at any time.

The app is secured with Face ID or Touch ID for quick access. If biometrics aren’t available, you’ll be prompted to use your iPhone’s passcode to unlock the app, ensuring your credentials are always protected. It also includes security features that notify you if passwords are weak, reused, or part of a data breach.

In short, the app offers a centralized space for managing all your credentials, with new features like password sharing, Wi-Fi password storage, and more visible security alerts that were previously hidden in Settings.

How to Add and Use Passwords on the Passwords App

Adding new items to the Passwords app is simple:

Passwords:

When you log into a new website or app, iOS will prompt you to save the credentials, which will automatically appear in the Passwords app. You can also add passwords manually:

  1. Open the Passwords app and tap the + icon in the bottom right corner.
  2. Enter the website URL or app name, along with your username and password.
  3. Optionally, generate a new password within the app and paste it.
  4. Add notes if needed, and tap Save to store the password.

When logging into a site or app, Apple will suggest the saved password after authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID. If autofill doesn’t work, you can open the Passwords app and go to All to access your saved passwords manually.

Passkeys:

Once you create a passkey on a website or app, Apple will prompt you to save it on your device. With the passkey saved, there’s no need to enter a username or password. When you visit the login page, Apple will automatically suggest the passkey option, allowing you to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID for instant access.

Remember that passkeys are stored locally with end-to-end encryption, meaning they won’t sync across your other Apple devices. You’ll need to manually create a passkey on each Apple device you use.

Two-Factor Authentication Codes:

To store 2FA codes, you need to manually enter them, as the app does not automatically save them:

  1. Open the Passwords app and go to the Codes section.
  2. Tap the + icon at the bottom right.
  3. Enter the setup key or scan the QR code provided by the service.
  4. Choose the relevant saved password to pair the 2FA code with.

2FA codes will appear in autofill when logging in, simplifying the process. You can also access all saved 2FA codes under Codes in the app. Pairing the codes with passwords lets you access both in one place. Unlike many other services like Google Authenticator, Apple will also sync your 2FA codes across your Apple devices.

Wi-Fi Passwords:

Wi-Fi passwords for networks you connect to are saved automatically in the Passwords app. There’s no manual option to add Wi-Fi passwords, and the app doesn’t autofill them. Instead, Apple will automatically connect to known networks without asking for the password.

Wi-Fi passwords sync across devices, so you can access them from any Apple device. If someone asks for a Wi-Fi password, simply open the Passwords app, go to Wi-Fi passwords, select the network to view the password, or share the Wi-Fi Password.

Sign in With Apple:

If you’re using Sign in With Apple, those credentials are saved in the Passwords app as well, consolidating all your login options in one place. However, these details are mostly for reference, confirming that you have accounts linked to your Apple ID. When you’re on a login page, simply tap the Sign in with Apple button to log in instantly, without needing to access the Passwords app.

How to Edit or Remove Passwords on the Passwords App

Normally, when you update the password, the app will prompt you to update the password in the app as well. But if you want to update the password manually, or delete any password, passkey, or any other stored item, head into the app, find the login you want to remove, and tap Edit. From there, you can either update or delete it.

If you do remove an item, it gets stored in a Deleted category within the app for 30 days. During this time, you can restore any accidentally deleted items if needed​, or delete them permanently.

How to Share Passwords from Passwords App

One of the coolest new features in iOS 18’s Passwords app is the ability to share passwords. To do this, simply open the app and find the login you want to share. Tap the Share button, and you can send it via AirDrop to a nearby contact.

You can also create a shared group where everyone in the group can share passwords that everyone in that group can access. In case, you have to share multiple passwords with your family, friends, or co-workers, this option makes it super convenient to manage shared passwords for services like Netflix or work accounts. To create a shared group:

  1. Open the Passwords app and tap on New group option below Shared groups.
  2. Give your group a name and add people to the group so they can share and access passwords.
  3. Select the passwords that you want to share and tap on Move. You can share regular passwords, passkeys, or even Sign in with Apple passwords.

Once done, people in that group can access data in the Passwords app. Everybody in the group can add or move passwords anytime.

What the Passwords App Need?

While the Passwords app in iOS 18 is a huge step forward, it’s not without limitations. There’s no cross-platform support beyond Apple devices and Windows, so Android users are left out. Moreover, importing passwords from third-party services like 1Password or LastPass isn’t possible just yet, although Apple has hinted that this feature may come in a future update​. For now, though, if you’re all in on the Apple ecosystem, this new Passwords app will definitely make managing your digital life a whole lot easier.

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