Keeping passwords and passkeys in iCloud Keychain, Apple’s built-in password manager, is no doubt convenient, especially if you are deep into the Apple Ecosystem. However, it gets tricky once you juggle devices coming from various brands. In such cases, you have to access passwords and passkeys stored on your iPhone, then transfer and save them securely to your non-Apple device.
Contents:
Below, you will find instructions on how to find saved passwords on iPhone and third-party password managers.
How to view saved passwords on iPhone
The most obvious way to access passwords on your iPhone is manually — via Settings.
Go to Settings, scroll down, and tap Passwords.
Use Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode to authenticate yourself.
Select a website or an app to see the password or passkey attached to it.
In this section, you can also delete and edit your credentials or establish two-factor authentication by setting up a verification code.
How to find saved passwords on iPhone using a third-party password manager
If you use a third-party password manager, you can access your passwords through its app, desktop, or standalone version. The specific steps may vary depending on the password manager, but usually you have to:
Log in to your password manager using Master Password, PIN, or biometrics.
Go to Passwords section. It can also be referred to as Vault or My Vault.
You’ll see a list of credentials saved in your vault. Tap the chosen item to check or copy your password.
Alternatives to iCloud Keychain
iCloud Keychain, Apple’s password and passkeys management system, provides basic security features such as saving user credentials or generating strong passwords. It also autofills personal information and syncs passwords and passkeys across various Apple devices. The problem is it works only within the Apple ecosystem.
You never know what can happen if any of your iOS devices get stolen or hacked. It may open cybercriminals the door to the sensitive information you store in all your Apple products. The brand has put a lot of focus on security, but it has had its shortcomings in the past, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Advanced password and passkey managers like NordPass are as convenient as iCloud Keychain but come with features that level up your cybersecurity. Data Breach Scanner informs you in real-time about data leaks, while Password Health identifies passwords that can put you in danger.
To choose the password manager solution(s) you want to use on your iPhone, follow these steps:
Go to Settings.
Tap Passwords and unlock them using Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
Select Password Options.
Switch on Autofill Passwords and Passkeys.
Choose tools you want to use to autofill passwords and passkeys.
Forget all of your passwords, choose passkeys
The easiest answer to the “What’s my password?” problem is… ditching passwords altogether. And it’s now possible thanks to passkey technology, which’s being adopted by more and more brands, applications and online platforms, Apple included. Passkeys rely on a multi-layered authentication process leveraging biometrics like Face ID or Touch ID, which makes them resistant both to phishing attacks and one’s forgetfulness.
Read the article about how to manage passkeys on iOS devices, if you’d like to know more. And since they don’t solve the issues related to staying secure both inside and outside the Apple ecosystem, consider going passwordless with Nordpass.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. You can either do it by activating iCloud Keychain or using a reliable password manager like NordPass to synchronize your passwords and passkeys across all your devices, regardless of their brand.
Yes, it’s possible, but only with iOS 17 and iCloud Keychain activated. Passwords deleted within 30 days get into the Recently Deleted folder that can be accessed through the Passwords section.
Here’s how to do it:
Choose Settings and then go to Passwords.
Use Face ID, Touch ID or passcode to unlock passwords.
Select Recently Deleted.
Choose passwords you want to keep and click Recover.
To turn off password autofill on your iPhone, do the following:
Go to Settings and click Passwords.
Authenticate yourself using Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
Select Password Options.
Unlock the autofill feature.
The easiest way to transfer your passwords to a new iPhone from any smartphone is to use a reliable password & passkey manager. The only thing you have to do is download the app on your new device.
However, if you're a loyal Apple user, you must first activate iCloud Keychain on your new iPhone. Once you do it, your iOS devices will receive a notification requesting approval for an additional device. After granting it, your passwords should be automatically transferred to the new Apple phone.