What the Tech: See the easy way to keep up with all of your passwords
By JAMIE TUCKER Consumer Technology Reporter
Remembering passwords is one of the biggest headaches of our digital lives. Experts say weak or reused passwords are behind more than 80% of data breaches.
That’s why Apple and Google are making it easier — and safer — to let technology handle the job for you.
If you have an iPhone, you may have already noticed Apple suggesting long, random passwords when you sign up for a new account. These are nearly impossible for hackers to crack — and impossible for us to memorize.
Apple’s Passwords app, introduced in 2024, securely stores those logins and automatically fills them in when you return to a website or app.
The beauty of Apple’s system is convenience. Instead of writing down dozens of logins or reusing the same one, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac remembers it for you. The next time you log in, the password field fills automatically.
For years, this convenience only worked inside Apple’s ecosystem. But now, Apple has made it simple for Windows users to sync their saved passwords.
All you need is the iCloud Passwords extension. It’s free to download from the Microsoft Store and works with Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers. Once you install the extension and sign in with your iCloud account, your Apple-saved passwords appear instantly on your PC.
From that point on, your Windows computer will autofill usernames and passwords just like your iPhone. If you change a password on one device, it updates everywhere.
If you use an Android device and browse in Chrome, you’re likely already using Google Password Manager. It works in much the same way, automatically generating strong, unique passwords and filling them in across devices.
It can’t be said enough: unique, un-guessable passwords are critical for protecting your online life. Hackers often gain access to accounts when people reuse the same password across multiple sites. If one site is breached, that same login can unlock your email, bank, or social media accounts.
With Apple’s and Google’s built-in password managers, there’s no reason to keep using simple or recycled logins. Both systems are free, secure, and built into the devices you already use.
Apple’s Passwords app may be one of the most important iPhone features you haven’t explored yet. Pairing it with the iCloud extension for Windows means you don’t have to choose between convenience and security. Whether you’re on Apple or Android, letting your device manage your logins makes staying safe online virtually foolproof.
