12 hours Ago
Remembering all the passwords you use on a daily basis can be a struggle. Whether it’s logging into Amazon, checking your online banking or settling down to watch something on Netflix, seeing the log-in box appear can make your heart sink. Then there’s the fact that each site seems to require a different length or combination of certain characters, meaning you need different ones for nearly every site or service (which, sadly, is also a good idea).
How are our limited human brains supposed to store all these weird strings of letters, numbers and special characters? All I want to do is stream Star Trek: The Next Generation for the 50th time, not prove my intellectual prowess! Password managers can help you manage all your passwords and login information across your Mac, iPhone, iPad and other Apple devices. Apple offers it’s own Passwords app to keep track of all your passwords, but is that the best password manager for Mac and iPhone, or is there another password manager for Apple devices that would do a better job. We’ve reviewed lots of password manager that work with Macs, iPhone and iPads to see how they compare and whether the extra features on offer are worth the extra expense when compared to Apple’s free Passwords app.
In a nutshell, it is wise to get a password manager that isn’t limited to Apple devices, especially if within your family unit there are other kinds of devices. Read on to find our why you need a password manager and which password managers are best for Apple devices. Best Password Managers for Mac and iPhone The following password managers offer a variety of features to help carry the burden of remembering your passwords.
If you use a Password Manager you only need to remember one master password, after which the app takes care of logging into all other accounts. Some apps even make recommendations for really secure passwords, others will tell you if there is a risk that your password has been leaked. In our round up we’ve included Apple’s Password app at the top because it’s free and already on your device (as long as your Mac or iPhone has iOS 18 or macOS Sequoia or later).
However, there are other good password managers, such as the award winning 1Password, feature heavy Dashlane and easy to use NordPass. Read on to find the one that suits you best. Do you need a password manager? Now that Apple has its own standalone Passwords app (which arrived in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia) do you need another Password Manager? As you will see from our review above, and our full review of Apple’s Passwords app , most users can replace their paid password manager with Apple’s free solution.
Most people don’t use a password manager at all, so getting them in the door this way is a good thing – and Apple Passwords is definitely good enough for most everyday users. For more ways to keep your data safe, read our iPhone security and Best Mac security tips articles. Need some help coming up with a safe and secure password? Read our tips to make your passwords even stronger .
Do I need to use passkeys? Apple and other tech companies are encouraging the use of passkeys. This is a system that uses encrypted keys for account authentication. You have one key and the website has another and when you attempt to log in the two keys pair.
Passkeys improve security, but for now they haven’t been widely adopted, but that is likely to change in time. Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password already support passkeys. How we test password managers When evaluating password managers we assess the different features on offer, focussing on ease of use – because let’s face it, if it’s too much hassle people won’t use their password manager and they will ignore its warnings.
Another area we check is cross-platform compatibility, because a password manager should work across all your devices. If you aren’t only in the Apple ecosystem you need a password manager that will assist you outside as well. Also important are the security features, so we look out for good encryption, multi-factor authentication, and strong password generation.
Finally we look at the additional features, like how easy it is to share with family and friends, and what happens if you pass away. Price is also assessed. Many password managers have a yearly subscription so we feel it is important to assess whether the password manager will still feel as valuable a year from the date you first start to use it.
Especially as moving to an alternative can be a stressful process. Why you can trust Macworld Macworld is a team of Apple enthusiasts with decades of experience with, and expertise in, all things Apple. We offer fair and honest reviews and unbiased buying advice based on our own practical experience with the products.
Our testing process is rigorous and we frequently look again at software to ensure that it still meets our requirements and the needs of our readers. How password managers work The idea of password managers is to simplify the way you access your various accounts. Instead of having to memorize multiple complex passwords for each of the services you use you need only recall one password – or provide a fingerprint or Face ID – and the password manager will automatically fill in the required details for you.
Just remember this is only as safe as the password you use to unlock access to all your passwords – so don’t lock them all behind an easy-to-guess password, like your pet’s name. The password managers also offer various other features. For example, they can generate random, highly secure passwords for your accounts, they can warn you if your password has been compromised, and some can advise you about existing insecure passwords and support your efforts to update them.
Obviously, security is a high priority—as the manager apps have the virtual keys to your kingdom—which is why all of the options listed use high-grade encryption to protect your details. Many also feature digital wallets so your bank details can be safely stored and used to make purchases online without having to root around in your pocket or bag for the card number and expiry date. A good Password Manager makes it easy to use strong, unique passwords everywhere on the web, no matter what platform or browser you happen to use.
But to get the most out of them, you need to pay a subscription fee. How to choose the best password manager First decide which of the features you need from those mentioned above and then look for a password manager that offers them. You likely want password generation to make it easy to come up woth a new password every time you are asked.
Many password managers will also analyze your existing passwords for weaknesses and help you upgrade them. Another feature you may want is the ability to share a password with friends and family. A good password manager will allow you to do that without sacrificing security.
It’s important that the password manager has good security, because it holds the key to all of your data, including bank account and address probably. So make sure that you have protection for this information, which is usually two-factor authentication so that your password can’t be hacked without access to a trusted device via a second method of identification. Are password managers safe? Good password managers will offer enhanced security features beyond basic protection.
They encrypt all stored data, making it highly unlikely cybercriminals can decrypt it. Since all passwords will be encrypted, hackers shouldn’t be able to view them even after theft. However, the strength of your master password is crucial.
If you’re concerned, consider choosing a password manager that stores your master password on a separate server, adding an extra layer of security. Should there be a security incident, a reputable managers should publicly release details. If you suspect a hack, determine if it’s your data or the password manager’s database.
If the database is hacked, you can decide whether to continue using the service. Should I switch password managers? Problems can arise if you are trying to switching from an existing Password Manager. Indeed, the biggest annoyance we ran into was making the switch to Apple’s Passwords app and getting everything transferred over, as you can see if you read: Apple’s free Passwords app can replace your paid password manager (kinda) .
If you just love your current password manager and use it to connect to multiple platforms and browsers, it may well be worth continuing to pay its subscription fee. If you’re thinking of switching to save the fee for your existing password manager, by all means move, just expect it to take a little time..
