Apple Passwords Review 2025: A Welcome Update to iCloud Keychain

The new Apple Passwords app provides a well-organized upgrade to the old iCloud Keychain functions. You'll also get standard password manager features, like a security tab for any flagged passwords and password sharing across Apple devices. 

We still ran into some hiccups and incompatibility issues while testing, but overall, we found it to be easy to use. We’ve broken down the features, where you can find certain settings, and how it compares to the best password managers below.

At a glance

Price	Free
Free version	Yes
Number of users	1
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, iOS, Apple Vision Pro
Browser extensions	Chrome, Safari, Edge
Password sharing	Yes
Encryption	Data Protection and FileVault
Password generator	Yes
Password strength report	Yes
Autofill	Yes
Digital legacy	Yes
Cloud storage	No
Learn more	Get Apple Passwords

We last tested Apple Passwords on December 2, 2024.

Our experience

After we installed iOS 18, the Passwords app was waiting for us in our new apps folder. The app tutorial briefly walked us through features like autofill and syncing across devices. 

We logged in and noticed that it held basically the same information from the passwords section of our iCloud Keychain that exists in iOS 17 and earlier. It was much cleaner and more organized than iCloud Keychain, and we appreciated the separate sections for credentials like verification codes and passkeys.

Using Passwords was no different than using the previous iCloud Keychain. The user-facing design was updated and a little more colorful, but otherwise it performed exactly the same. It was very familiar software with a design upgrade.

One caveat that could dissuade users from choosing this over a paid password manager was the inability to share with anyone who doesn’t use an Apple device. However, this could be in the works since Passwords includes Windows integration. 

We also downloaded the iCloud app onto our PC laptop, which is how you access the Windows integration. We weren't aware of any autofill capabilities for Windows, but there are iCloud Passwords extensions for Chrome and Edge. It's had lackluster reviews ever the Passwords app launched, but we hope to see it improve soon.

Overall, we’re pleased with the upgrades, the organization, and the ability to share an unlimited amount of passwords with other Apple users. There’s still no Android integration, but at least Windows users will be able to enable Passwords on their PCs.

If you and your entire family are Apple users, however, you should find this a free and easy way to organize and share all your credentials.

How much does Apple Passwords cost?

Apple Passwords app is a free password manager for all iOS, macOS, Vision Pro, and Windows users. It'll be standard with the iOS 18 update, which rolled out in September 2024. The app will be ready to use immediately upon the update.

Apple Passwords features

Apple Passwords’ features are not slated to change much from what’s currently offered on iCloud Keychain. The main differences we noticed were in the organization and presentation of data.

Apple Passwords includes many standard password management features, such as password sharing, autofill, a password generator, and even a digital legacy feature that allows you to designate a contact to receive your information in the event of your passing.

Importing and exporting passwords

The Passwords app will automatically import your data from the iCloud Keychain. You can also sync your passwords, credit cards, and contact information in iCloud across shared devices. 

However, we couldn't find a way to manually import or export passwords on the iOS or on the Windows app. Making the switch from a paid password manager to Apple Passwords will likely require you to manually import all your credentials. 

Password sharing

Password sharing with the Passwords app is achieved either through Airdrop or by creating groups. To share an individual password with another iOS user, you’ll simply need to press the share button and then touch the top of your device to another Airdrop-enabled device.

The other option is to create groups. The only requirements for adding someone to your group are that they’re in your contacts and running macOS 14 or newer and iOS and iPadOS 17 or newer. 

We tested this by attempting to share credentials with one of our Android user friends. Passwords let us know this isn't possible because they don't have a compatible device. 

Password generator

Apple Passwords has a password generator to help if you’re changing passwords on a site with an existing account or creating an account for the first time. 

After navigating to Amazon's account creation page, Passwords popped up with the option to use a strong password. However, its a lot more limited in customization compared to other password managers we've tested. 

You can only select a new strong password or a new strong password without special characters. We'd like to see Passwords add options like adding numerals or adjusting character length. 

Autofill

Autofill is integrated with iOS and macOS, so you have options to fill in your name, address, and phone number that way. As far as the Passwords app is concerned, all your logins and passwords will be stored in the app.

If you want to change other information on your phone that isn’t in the Passwords app, like your name or address, you’ll need to do that in your Contact Card.

You can find that by going into your contacts. Your card will be at the top.

Password strength report

With the Passwords app, you won’t get an elaborate password strength report, but you’ll get notifications in the security section about compromised passwords.

We liked how Passwords provides a "change password" button so you can easily visit the site, replace the compromised credential with a strong password, or delete our account altogether.

By deleting your unused accounts, you reduce your online fingerprints and your risk of identity theft.

Digital legacy

The Legacy Contact feature isn’t located in your Passwords app, but it’s still available to iOS and macOS users.

You’ll go to Settings > Apple ID > Sign-In and Security. From there, scroll down and select Legacy Contact, and then you can add anyone from your contacts.

It will alert this person that they’ve been added as your Legacy Contact, so maybe warn them first so you don’t get a head popping around a corner of your home looking at you like something dreadful has happened.

Bonus features

The Passwords app doesn’t have a ton of independent features because so much of it is wrapped into iOS itself, but it’s worth noting that you can also find verification codes and passkeys much easier than you could before. They each have their own folder that’s displayed on the main home screen.

Apple Passwords privacy policy

Apple has built a reputation for maintaining users’ privacy. Its policies state that it only collects the data it requires to provide you with services and only shares that data in ways necessary to provide those services or with your approval.

Apple Passwords third-party audits

Since Passwords launched in September 2024, there hasn’t been an opportunity for a third-party audit. Hopefully, we’ll see some type of audit in the near future. However, if it’s like other Apple products, that won’t likely be the case.

Is Apple Passwords safe to use?

Yes, Apple Passwords is safe to use. Apple products are usually less susceptible to hacks when you use them correctly. 

The worst thing you can do for your Apple device is to jailbreak it (to remove software restrictions made by the manufacturer to gain unauthorized access to core software). Once you jailbreak an Apple device, you expose it to the insecurities that plague other operating systems.

Part of Apple’s security is its exclusivity. If you want to maintain that security, you’ll need to use your device as intended.

Two-factor authentication

Instead of two-factor authentication, Passwords uses biometric authentication via FaceID. The protection is pretty intense. If you navigate away from your app and then come back, FaceID has to verify you again.

Whether you’re logging in to the app for the first time that day or just revisiting it, you’ll be prompted for FaceID each time to avoid compromising your passwords.

We like Passwords's focus on security, but we wish there were other options for authentication or adjust the autolock. 

Apple Passwords compatibility

Apple notes that Passwords will be available for Apple devices as well as Windows integration. Current compatibility is:

• iPhone
• iPad
• macOS
• Vision Pro
• Windows
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Apple Passwords customer service

You’ll receive the same customer service with Passwords as you would with any other Apple software issue. On its website, Apple mentions you can stop in the Apple Store for service as well as training classes on how to better use your devices.

You can also reach out via phone, email, chat, and more. You’ll simply need to go to Apple Support and navigate from there.

Top alternatives

If you want a password manager with more robust features or one that’s compatible with multiple operating systems, you should check out our selections below.

Apple Passwords FAQs

Bottom line: Is Apple Passwords good?

Yes, we believe that Apple Passwords is a good app and value upgrade for iOS 18. It’s cleaner, more pleasing to look at, and easier to navigate than its predecessor. You’ll still enjoy all the convenience of iCloud Keychain but with an upgraded, friendlier look.

If the lack of compatibility is a problem for you, however, we recommend using NordPass, RoboForm, or Keeper. These are some of the best password managers available and should offer broad compatibility for your entire circle. 

We've also directly compared Apple Passwords with some of the best options available:

• Apple Passwords vs. NordPass
• Apple Passwords vs. 1Password
• Apple Passwords vs. LastPass