Apple Passwords Review 2024: An Update to iCloud Keychain With Better Organization

The new Apple Passwords app is an upgrade to the old iCloud Keychain functions, making them more user-friendly. Since iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia 15 aren’t available to the general public until an undisclosed date in September, you’ll either need a beta version of iOS 18 or Sequoia 15 or wait for the general release.

We grabbed the beta version and found the new Passwords app to be much more organized and user-friendly than iCloud Keychain’s previous management style.

There are still some hiccups and incompatibility issues, but overall, we found it to be easy to use. We’ve broken down the features, where you can find certain settings, and how it compares to the best password managers below.

Apple Passwords review at a glance

Price	Free
Free version	Yes
Browser extensions	No
Password sharing	Yes — Unlimited with Apple OS
Encryption	Data Protection and FileVault
Two-factor authentication	Yes
Password generator	Yes
Form filler	Yes
Digital legacy	Yes

Our Apple Passwords experience

Since we ran a beta version of iOS 18 on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, it should be noted that our experience might be different from other people who choose to wait until September for the iOS 18 release.

The entire point of a beta version is to see what bugs the software presents so the developers can modify and tweak it.

That being said, beta versions aren’t released with the idea that there will be a massive overhaul of the software, so we’re confident our experiences will be similar, if not the same as the released version.

After we installed iOS 18, the Passwords app was waiting for us on our screen. We logged in and noticed that it held basically the same information from the passwords section of our iCloud Keychain that exists in iOS 17 and earlier.

It was much cleaner and more organized than iCloud Keychain, and we appreciated the separate sections for credentials like verification codes and passkeys.

Using Passwords was no different than using the previous iCloud Keychain. The user-facing design was updated and a little more colorful, but otherwise it performed exactly like iCloud Keychain. It was very familiar software with a design upgrade.

The one caveat we found that could dissuade users from choosing this over a paid password manager was the inability to share with anyone who doesn’t use an Apple device. (Windows integration is coming with the full release this fall.)

Overall, we’re pleased with the upgrades, the organization, and the ability to share an unlimited amount of passwords with other Apple users. There’s still no Android integration, but at least Windows users will be able to enable Passwords on their PCs when it’s released.

If you and your entire family are Apple users, however, you should find this a free and easy way to organize and share all your credentials.

How much does Apple Passwords cost?

Apple Passwords app will be a free password manager for all iOS, macOS, Vision Pro, and Windows users. It will be standard with the iOS 18 update, which will roll out in September 2024. The app will be ready to use immediately upon the update.

[Callout box] The Passwords app is free to everyone with an Apple ID. You will not need to pay for any of its features.

Apple Passwords features

Apple Passwords’ features are not slated to change much from what’s currently offered on iCloud Keychain. We ran a beta version of iOS 18 that included the Passwords app, and the features seemed pretty similar. The main differences we noticed were in the organization and presentation of data.

Apple Passwords includes many standard password management features, such as password sharing, autofill, a password generator, and even a digital legacy feature that allows you to designate a contact to receive your information in the event of your passing.

Password sharing

Password sharing with the Passwords app is achieved either through Airdrop or by creating groups. To share an individual password with another iOS user, you’ll simply need to press the share button and then touch the top of your device to another Airdrop-enabled device.

You can also choose from Airdrop-enabled devices in your vicinity.

The other option is to create groups. The only requirements for adding someone to your group are that they’re in your contacts and running macOS 14 or newer and iOS and iPadOS 17 or newer.

Two-factor authentication

Instead of two-factor authentication, Passwords uses biometric authentication via FaceID. The protection is pretty intense. If you navigate away from your app and then come back, FaceID has to verify you again.

Whether you’re logging into the app for the first time that day or just revisiting it, you’ll be prompted for FaceID each time to avoid compromising your passwords.

Password generator

Whether you’re changing passwords on a site where you already have an account or are creating an account for the first time, you’ll have access to a password generator. It automatically populates password fields, providing you with several options.

Autofill

Autofill is integrated with iOS and macOS, so you have options to fill in your name, address, and phone number that way. As far as the Passwords app is concerned, all your logins and passwords will be stored in the app.

If you want to change other information on your phone that isn’t in the Passwords app, like your name or address, you’ll need to do that in your Contact Card.

You can find that by going into your contacts. Your card will be at the top.

Password strength report

With the Passwords app, you won’t get an elaborate password strength report, but you’ll get notifications in the security section about compromised passwords.

We love this because it allows us to easily visit the site, replace the compromised credential with a strong password, or delete our account altogether.

By deleting your unused accounts, you reduce your online fingerprints and your risk of identity theft.

Digital legacy

The Legacy Contact feature isn’t located in your Passwords app, but it’s still available to iOS and macOS users.

You’ll go to Settings > Apple ID > Sign-In and Security. From there, scroll down and select Legacy Contact, and then you can add anyone from your contacts.

It will alert this person that they’ve been added as your Legacy Contact, so maybe warn them first so you don’t get a head popping around a corner of your home looking at you like something dreadful has happened.

Bonus features

The Passwords app doesn’t have a ton of independent features because so much of it is wrapped into iOS itself, but it’s worth noting that you can also find verification codes and passkeys much easier than you could before. They each have their own folder that’s displayed on the main home screen.

Apple Passwords privacy policy

Apple has built a reputation for maintaining users’ privacy. Its policies state that it only collects the data it requires to provide you with services and only shares that data in ways necessary to provide those services or with your approval.

Apple Passwords third-party audits

Since Passwords isn’t technically available yet, there hasn’t been an opportunity for a third-party audit. Hopefully, once the full software is released, we’ll see some type of audit. However, if it’s like other Apple products, that won’t likely be the case.

Is Apple Passwords safe to use?

Yes, Apple Passwords is safe to use. Apple products are usually less susceptible to hacks when you use them correctly. The worst thing you can do for your Apple device is to jailbreak it (to remove software restrictions made by the manufacturer to gain unauthorized access to core software).

Once you jailbreak an Apple device, you expose it to the insecurities that plague other operating systems.

Part of Apple’s security is its exclusivity. If you want to maintain that security, you’ll need to use your device as intended.

Apple Passwords customer service

You’ll receive the same customer service with Passwords as you would with any other Apple software issue. On its website, Apple mentions you can stop in the Apple Store for service as well as training classes on how to better use your devices.

You can also reach out via phone, email, chat, and more. You’ll simply need to go to Apple Support and navigate from there.

Apple Passwords compatibility

Apple notes that Passwords will be available for Apple devices as well as Windows integration. We don’t know if it plans on expanding, but we’ll learn more in September when it’s released. Current compatibility is:

• iPhone
• iPad
• macOS
• Vision Pro
• Windows

Apple Passwords alternatives

If you want a password manager with more robust features or one that’s compatible with multiple operating systems, you should check out our selections below.

Apple Passwords FAQs

Bottom line: Is Apple Passwords good?

Yes, we believe that Apple Passwords is a good app that is a value upgrade for iOS 18. It’s cleaner, more pleasing to look at, and easier to navigate than its predecessor. You’ll still enjoy all the convenience of iCloud Keychain but with an upgraded, friendlier look.

Even though it’s still in beta, we think Apple did a good job with this upgrade.

If the lack of compatibility is a problem for you, however, we recommend using NordPass, RoboForm, or Keeper. These are some of the best password managers available and should offer broad compatibility for your entire circle.

Password managers are always a good idea because they help you create unique passwords as well as keep all your credentials in a secure place while still having access to them.