Security: Has Apple's Passwords App Replaced Your Password Manager Yet?

9to5Mac Security Bite is brought to you exclusively by Mosyle, Apple’s only unified platform. Everything we do is about ensuring Apple devices are enterprise-ready and secure. Our unique, end-to-end approach to management and security combines Apple’s most advanced security solutions for fully automated hardening and compliance, next-generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive privilege management with Apple’s most powerful and advanced MDM on the market. The result is a fully automated, unified Apple platform that is currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices enterprise-ready, effortlessly, and affordably. Request an EXTENDED TRIAL today and see why Mosyle is all you need for your Apple experience.

For years, Apple has provided its own built-in password management tool, Keychain, tucked away in the Settings app. The tool allowed passwords to be automatically generated and saved in the Passwords section, but it could often be cumbersome when a user wanted to manage specific logins.

Now in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, saved passwords have been moved to their own rounded corner island on the home screen called Passwords. Apple hopes that this new app will make managing logins more convenient for users. However, there are concerns that it may not offer enough features to replace paid password managers. Sure, but is that the goal?

Weighing the Costs and Benefits

When you first open Passwords, you'll find that the layout is very similar to the Reminders app, with two rows of categories: All, Passwords, Codes, Wi-Fi, Security, and Deleted. It's very simple and easy to navigate.

The app allows users to view saved credentials, manage access keys, create rotating verification codes, view saved Wi-Fi logins, and get alerts for passwords that have recently been compromised in data breaches. With the addition of Family Passwords sharing, the app is a convenient hodgepodge of features that previously existed elsewhere, now in one place, accessible from any registered Apple device.

But there are some downsides.

Similar to a password manager like 1Password, the saved credentials in the Passwords app can be accessed from any registered Apple device. You can even access saved passwords on Windows via the iCloud for Windows app. However, there is no support for browsers or Android. The Passwords app is designed exclusively for Apple devices, with the exception of the iCloud for Windows app. This can be inconvenient if you use Android and Mac, or a combination of devices on different platforms.

What’s more, if you use a paid service like 1Password, you know that it provides features beyond basic password storage, including secure notes, document storage, cross-browser integration, two-factor authentication, and more. These are not offered in Apple’s free Passwords app.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Passwords is in its infancy. Its basic, easy-to-use interface is clearly aimed at people who have never used a password manager before.

If you already use a service like 1Password and find it effective, I don’t see a compelling reason to switch to Passwords, even though it’s free. You’ll find that the app lacks a few important features, such as the ability to generate custom-length passwords with special characters, custom fields, password history, and browser support. However, it’s still an attractive product for beginners who might prefer a simpler, no-configuration solution.

Top comment by K Snow

Liked by 11 people

It works well enough for me that I see no reason not to use it.

View all comments

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your needs and preferences.

I've been a 1Password subscriber for almost a decade now. It's the best $4 I've spent each month. Still, I'm excited to see where the app goes next.

About Security Bite: Security Bite is a weekly column on 9to5Mac about security. Every week, Arin Vaiciulis shares insights on data privacy, exposes vulnerabilities, or sheds light on emerging threats across Apple’s vast ecosystem of over 2 billion active devices to help you stay safe.

Follow Arin: Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Threads