Passwords is a password manager application developed by Apple Inc. available for devices running iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and visionOS 2 or higher. The app allows users to store and access encrypted account information saved to their iCloud Keychain or created via Sign in with Apple.[1][2] Passwords can also be accessed through the iCloud for Windows program.
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 A screenshot of the Passwords app on iOS 18.1.1 | |
| Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | September 16, 2024 |
| Operating system |
|
| Predecessor | Keychain |
| Type | Password manager |
The application was announced on June 10, 2024, by Craig Federighi at WWDC 2024, and shipped with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia on September 16, 2024.[2]
Features
editUsers can choose to manually enter new account details into the app, requiring a label or website name alongside the associated username and password. Additional notes can also be attached to an account for further details; however, users are unable to add their own data fields. Accounts created through Sign in with Apple will be automatically registered into the app and will display their proxy e-mail address if iCloud's "Hide My Email" feature is used.
When entering a new account into the keychain, the app will also provide a strong password suggestion composed of random numbers and letters. All details are encrypted and stored on a user's iCloud account via Keychain, allowing Passwords to be synced and used across devices. AutoFill allows details stored in the app to be automatically entered into a website or application for quick and simple account login.
Alongside standard passwords, the program supports the use of passkeys and multi-factor authentication security codes and will provide users with security recommendations if their passwords are easily guessable or found in a data breach.[3] Accounts can also be added into shared groups to grant access to friends and family.
Passwords will also store the details of any connected Wi-Fi networks and can generate a QR code that can be scanned to connect another device to the same network.
History
editApple first developed their Keychain password management system as a component of their now-discontinued PowerTalk e-mail system. The concept was eventually revived and directly integrated into the operating system with Mac OS 8.6, allowing for the secure storage of several types of sensitive data.[4] At WWDC 2013, Apple unveiled iCloud Keychain, which introduced the encrypted storage of account details over iCloud.[5] This allowed for logins to be synced across Mac devices and introduced other notable features including AutoFill and generating suggested passwords upon sign-up.
A simplified version of Keychain has also been included in iOS since its initial release, with password storage previously accessible only through the Settings app.[6] Password AutoFill was first integrated into the operating system with the release of iOS 11, later being expanded into an API for third-party password managers.
References
edit- ^ Gurman, Mark (June 6, 2024). "Apple to Debut Passwords App in Challenge to 1Password, LastPass". Bloomberg News. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Tibken, Shara; Stern, Joanna (June 11, 2024). "Password App, iPad Calculator, Scheduled Text Messages: What's Coming Soon to Your Apple Devices". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Christoffel, Ryan (September 16, 2024). "Here's what the new Passwords app in iOS 18 can do". 9to5Mac. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Bohon, Cory (February 9, 2017). "Apple's iCloud Keychain: The smart person's guide". TechRepublic. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Moise, Kaylie (June 10, 2013). "Apple Introduces iCloud Keychain". Macgasm. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Casey, Henry T. (June 6, 2017). "8 Awesome iOS 11 Features You Don't Know About". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2024.