A brass padlock next to a pair of silver keys on a white background

Password Managers Explained: A Simple Way to Keep Track of Your Passwords

ByTom Becker

Bank, email, pharmacy, Medicare, streaming TV, the electric company… Most of us now have dozens of online accounts. It’s no wonder so many people reuse the same password or keep a list on a sticky note.

A password manager is a simpler and safer answer. Here’s what it is, why it helps and how to start using one, possibly one you already have.

What a Password Manager Does

A password manager is like a locked digital notebook for your passwords. It can:

  • Create a strong, unique password whenever you sign up for something new
  • Save it for you
  • Fill it in automatically the next time you sign in
  • Warn you if a password is weak, reused or has turned up in a data leak

Instead of remembering dozens of passwords, you mostly just unlock your phone or computer the way you already do.

Why Strong, Unique Passwords Matter

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends passwords of at least 12 characters, and a different password for each account. If you reuse a password and one company has a data breach, criminals can try that same password on your other accounts.

The FTC also points out that your email password is especially important. Password reset links usually go to your email, so whoever controls your email can often get into everything else.

You May Already Have One

Before you download anything, check what’s built in.

On iPhone and iPad: The Passwords App

Starting with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple includes a free Passwords app. These steps apply to iOS 18 and later, including the current iOS 27.

  1. Find the Passwords app on your Home Screen, or swipe down on the Home Screen and search for “Passwords.”
  2. Open it. You may be asked to unlock it with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
  3. Tap All to see the accounts you’ve saved.
  4. Tap Security to see any passwords Apple flags as weak, reused or found in a known data leak.

To have your passwords on all your Apple devices, turn on iCloud Keychain:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap Passwords and Keychain and turn it on.

When you create a new account on a website or app, your iPhone will offer a strong password and save it for you.

On Android Phones and the Chrome Browser: Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager is free with a Google Account and works in the Chrome browser and on Android phones.

  1. On a computer, open your web browser and go to passwords.google.com, then sign in to your Google Account.
  2. You’ll see the passwords you’ve saved.
  3. Select Go to Password Checkup, then Check passwords to see which ones are weak, reused or compromised.

On an Android phone, Google suggests installing the Google Password Manager app from the Play Store for quick access, and making sure Google is set as your phone’s autofill service.

Other Password Managers

There are also standalone password manager apps from other companies. Some are free and some charge a yearly fee. The FTC suggests reading reviews from independent experts before choosing one, and making sure the password that unlocks the manager is strong. Only download apps from your phone’s official app store or the company’s own website.

Getting Started Without Feeling Overwhelmed

You don’t need to change every password in one afternoon.

  1. Start with your email account. Give it a long, unique password and save it in your password manager.
  2. Next, update your bank, credit card and Medicare or Social Security accounts.
  3. Change other passwords gradually, whenever you sign in to an account.
  4. Act right away if the password manager or a company tells you a password was exposed in a data breach.

Add a Second Lock

A password manager works best alongside two-step verification, which asks for a code or approval on your phone when you sign in. The FTC says it means a stolen password alone isn’t enough for someone to get into your account.

A Few Safety Reminders

  • Never share a password or a sign-in code with someone who calls, texts or emails you, even if they say they’re from your bank, Apple, Google or Medicare.
  • If you write down the one password that unlocks everything, keep it somewhere safe at home, not in your wallet.
  • If a family member helps you set things up, that’s great, but you should still be the one who knows and controls your passwords.

More on Seniors Tips

Sources

Similar Posts