Passwords. Wow! But finally I have good news for you! If you’re Apple or iPhone+PC, now you can use Apple passwords on ALL your devices. You will keep SO. A LOT. TIME. Finally…simplifying passwords!
I feel like I talk about passwords all the time, but my last article about passwords was back in 2023, Change Passwords – We’re Not Talking About Bruno. It still has solid information, so read it.
But here’s a new – and surprisingly easy – password hack I just discovered. If you’re an iPhone/iPad + PC user, now you can use Apple’s password keeper on all your devices! Yes, even your Windows PC!
This will save you time because all your Apple and non-Apple devices will eventually store your passwords in the same way. You can also save money if you currently pay for an external password keeper, which you can cancel. Woohoo!
Why Use a Password App?
Password apps can save you time, by filling in ridiculously long passwords that mortals have trouble remembering.
You need to change your passwords often, which is easy with a password app.
Yes, password apps are secure, using encryption which is way more secure than using that one password you’ve been using since the 1990’s (I’m looking at you Bunny123!)
What’s Apple’s Password App Called?
Apple very cleverly named its program Password.
Important to know: Apple used to call it Keychain, so you might see both names.
Apple Keychain and Apple Password and iCloud Password are the same thing.
How to use Apple passwords on your PC
It’s a very simple 3-step process to set up using the Apple Passwords app on your PC. Here’s information from Apple on how to reset iCloud passwords on your Windows computer.
Step 1 is to use Apple Passwords on your PC
First, make sure your Apple account has iCloud turned on and synced with your passwords. You can do this on your iPhone: Settings >> tap on your name >> press iCloud (5th item from the top) >> Under “Saved in iCloud”, click Passwords. You should see this image:
Step 2 is to use Apple passwords on your PC
Then install on your PC the free Apple iCloud for PC application. You can download it from Apple, or download it from the Microsoft app store.
Once installed, your PC should start asking you if you want to save passwords to Apple Keychain. Say yes. If you only see this picture when it asks if you want to save your passwords, you’re saving them to Apple Password. You are welcome.
Once you save the password on your PC in this app, you will be able to access it on your iPhone and iPad, too.
If you’re having problems, it’s probably because you have a third-party password keeper (which you’re probably paying for) fighting for you. Disable or remove another password keeper.
Step 3 is to use Apple passwords on your PC
Once installed, tell your browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) to load and use the Apple password extension. (An extension is a small program that works with your browser. It’s like adding a little spice to your meal; you’ll soon wonder how you got along without it.) You’ll open the extension by clicking this image at the top of your browser:
or click the three dots and look for extensions to enable iCloud Passwords:
or go to the Chrome Web Store (if you’re using the Chrome browser) and download the iCloud Passwords extension.
However you get there, you need to turn iCloud Passwords ON and turn OFF any other password keeper your browser may be talking to. Many people mistakenly use a single password keeper, which is why passwords don’t seem to work. You change passwords and save different passwords for the same website on your phone, tablet, and computer, and not realize it. Stick to one password solution to make your life easier.
Requirements to set iCloud password on PC
- Your account must be activated with two-factor authentication. See the Apple Support topic Two-factor authentication for an Apple Account.
- The device receiving the security code must have iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11, or later.
- iCloud Advanced Data Protection must be turned on or your Apple device must be within Bluetooth® range of your Windows PC.
The three letters above come directly from Apple’s support article.
Not sure what two-factor authentication is? I have explained 2FA in a very informal way in this article.
Not an Apple user?
If you have an iPhone or iPad, then you are an Apple user and you can make your life easier with this tip.
But if you don’t have a smartphone or you use Android and PC, you will choose from many third-party password keepers (like those mentioned in the article above).
Are you ready to simplify passwords?
Passwords stink, but your iPhone has probably been saving them for you for the past few years. And being able to use Apple’s password keeper on your PC, that’s a very recent development. Don’t ignore yourself if you haven’t figured out how to make it all work yet.
But now you know. 🙂
Remember, if you can make this work, you don’t have to do it alone. We help clients around the world make their computers work for them…instead of doing something else. Could spending an hour with us save you hours of frustration?
Would you like to know how to organize your files, find your favorite photos quickly, become a professional at work, and save time on your computer? Please get in touch. We would love to help you solve your digital problems.
Here’s another day planned!