Many users opt for third-party password managers on iPhone and Mac without realizing that there is a fairly comprehensive one on their device. After the latest iOS and macOS updates, Apple has improved its iCloud Keychain in several ways, so consider starting to use it.
Learn how to use iCloud Keychain as a password manager on your iPhone.
iCloud Keychain, Apple’s default password manager, was once the ugly duckling compared to the competition. With the latest iOS and macOS updates, Apple has beefed up password management with new features and better cross-platform availability.
There is no dedicated app for iCloud Keychain on iPhone – Apple has integrated the feature into Settings. You can enable it by following this guide.
iCloud Keychain
1. Go to “Settings” on iPhone.
2. Scroll down to the “Passwords” menu.
Verify your identity – which you’ll be prompted for – and then you’ll see a list of the login credentials you saved on your iPhone using Safari.
Add new login credentials
iCloud automatically adds Safari login information on iPhone, iPad, and Mac and syncs it to your account. If you want to add new login information manually, you can do so from the passwords menu on iPhone.
1. Repeat the process of going to “Settings” and accessing the “Passwords” menu.
2. After successful authentication, click the + icon in the upper right corner.
3. Add website name, username and password. Click “OK” in the upper right corner and the data is added.
Note that Apple’s password manager does not have additional security options for storing bank details and credit card information.
Configure confirmation code
After iOS 15 update, Apple implemented 2FA (two-factor authentication) in iCloud Keychain. A dedicated 2FA application is no longer required for added security.
Using the Passwords menu on iPhone, you can easily set up verification codes for supported apps and services. Follow the steps below to set up a verification code in iCloud Keychain.
1. Launch Settings on iPhone and go to Passwords menu (as shown above).
2. Open the information of the application in which you want to configure 2FA.
3. Click “Set up confirmation code…”, then click “Enter setup key” or “Scan QR code” to start two-factor authentication.
Now, whenever a website asks for the code, you can open the login credentials from the Passwords menu and check the timer and code in real time.
Check recommendations for your iCloud passwords
Data breaches have become commonplace these days. Therefore, Apple provides a “Security Recommendations” tab to view compromised passwords. You can also check reused passwords and change priority ones.
1. Open “Settings” and go to “Passwords”.
2. Click “Security Recommendation” and check the suggestions listed as “Top Priority”.
2.1. You can also access recommendations through a specific application.
You will see a notice with “This password is reused on other sites” and an option to “Change password on site”.
Apple has made the iCloud app available for Windows. Using iCloud app, you can sync iCloud photos, passwords, contacts and mirror iCloud Drive to Windows PC.
Not everyone uses iPhone and Mac – some people may use Windows as their work system. If this is your case, we have a guide for you.
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