If you are one of those people who have online accounts for banking, retail, social media, etc., it means you have many passwords to remember. You should never use the same password twice, and moreover, your password needs to be abstract to prevent them from being cracked. In this article we’ll reply to this question, does Apple have its own password manager? A guide to setup iCloud keychain.
Having multiple passwords that are long and complex makes life hard. Simply put, if your passwords are good enough to fool the crooks, they’re likely too long for you to remember. Therefore, using a password manager could be right for you.
Password managers generate the strongest possible passwords, keep them secure, and remember them for you. They make life easier and safer when you’re accessing online accounts.
There are many third-party password managers like Dashlane, but that said, you might want to use your system’s dedicated password manager if you are an Apple user. For a quick answer, yes, Apple does have its own password manager, and it’s called iCloud Keychain. Let’s take a closer look at Apple’s password manager.
What is iCloud Keychain?
iCloud Keychain is Apple’s native password manager, allowing users to securely store and autofill credentials across their Apple devices. Introduced in 2013 as part of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks, iCloud Keychain has evolved to become a reliable, robust password management tool that integrates seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem.
Key Features of iCloud Keychain
- Password Storage: Stores login credentials for websites and apps, making it easy to log in with a tap.
- AutoFill: Automatically fills in usernames, passwords, and credit card information on compatible websites and apps.
- Two-Factor Authentication Support: Generates verification codes for accounts that use two-factor authentication, simplifying the login process.
- Password Suggestions: Suggests strong passwords when creating new accounts, helping improve security.
- Secure Sharing: Syncs passwords across all devices signed in to the same Apple ID, so you always have access to your credentials.
Idea: iCloud Keychain is end-to-end encrypted, meaning only you can access your data. Even Apple doesn’t have access to your stored passwords.
iCloud Keychain: Setup Guide
Right now, we want to look at iCloud Keychain to tell you what it’s all about, how good it is, and if it is worth using or not.
The Basics
The iCloud Keychain password manager was first introduced for the macOS 9, and it has been a staple of Apple products since then. This password manager syncs all of your data and passwords across your Mac OS devices − your phone, tablet, and computer − which many people find convenient.
Users of the iCloud Keychain password manager like that it does not require any extensions or extra apps, as it is built into the browsers on Apple devices. It automatically saves usernames, passwords, and even credit card details, so you don’t have to remember them.
This all sounds great, and yes, the iCloud Keychain password manager does have some advantages. But how does it stack up against third-party password managers such as LastPass and Dashlane? Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of Keychain.
Keychain Pros: Apple Password Manager
The iCloud Keychain password manager is relatively secure as it uses state-of-the-art 256-bit AES to encrypt your information. This is the best type of encryption, which is why big businesses, militaries, governments, banks, and more use it.
Most users agree that the iCloud Keychain password manager is straightforward to use and provides an overall user-friendly experience. You don’t have to install any extensions or apps. Simply log into your Apple device with your Apple ID, and it’s all good to go.
You can also tell the iCloud Keychain password manager not to save passwords if you choose. As with Chrome’s password manager, a pop-up box will ask you whether or not you want a password to be.
Your passwords will sync across all of your Apple devices, which is quite convenient.
The iCloud Keychain password manager is built into your Apple device, so it’s actually free to use, which many people like.
To increase your security, Keychain also allows for two-factor authentication.
Keychain Cons: Setup iCloud Keychain Guide
Keychain only works on Apple devices, which makes it a drawback. It also has problems working with apps that are not for Apple, with the result being that the auto-fill. Auto-capture features often crash.
While the newer version of the iCloud Keychain password manager comes with a password audit function. To spot weak passwords, does not work that well; it does not do a good job at spotting weak passwords.
This password manager allows for random password generation. However, the passwords are not as strong as those generated by third-party password managers. Moreover, accessing saved passwords and changing them can be difficult.
Another drawback is that the iCloud Keychain password manager is not available for offline use.
Apple Password Manager: The Final Verdict
The iCloud Keychain password manager is acceptable if you want to store a few basic passwords and want the convenience of everything sync across all your Apple devices; it’s better than not using a password manager at all.
However, there are too many drawbacks for us to say that this is a great password manager or even a good one. There are way better password managers, such as Dashlane, LastPass, and NordPass, with better security protocols and features.
