How To Manage Passwords In Safari

Updated on Jul 1, 2022. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer, then chances are that you probably use Safari as your primary browser. Safari was specifically created by Apple for compatibility with iOS and Mac OS X.

It features some added security features that work hand-in-hand with the more secure environment already present in Apple devices. Safari is also pretty fast (compared to other browsers), which makes it a great overall choice.

One of the cooler features of Safari is that the browser can also be used to manage your passwords. You can save login credentials, including email addresses, usernames, passwords, credit card info, and more within your Safari account. These passwords are all protected using your Apple ID login, which prevents unauthorized users from accessing them.

In today’s post, we’re going to give you some tips and tricks for how to manage your passwords in Safari. We’ll also answer some FAQs about password safety and explain why you should use a VPN if you really want to keep your saved Safari passwords safe.

Does Safari Save All Of Your Passwords?

For the most part, Safari will automatically prompt you to save every password and username that you use to log into a website or online application (as long as you’re visiting the site with your Safari browser and you’re logged into your Apple ID account).

The only situation where Safari wouldn’t save your passwords or usernames is if the website you’re logging into is outdated or if your internet connection is really slow, causing certain Safari features to not work properly.

Is It Safe To Keep Passwords Stored In Safari?

One of the most common questions we get asked about managing passwords in Safari is whether or not it’s safe to do so, in the first place. Most people aren’t exactly comfortable with the fact that some of their login credentials are stored on an Apple server somewhere or might be able to be hacked…

So, to answer the question honestly, we’d say that keeping your passwords stored in Safari is relatively safe. To be honest, there are better, safer places to store your password. We typically recommend using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which features AES military-grade encryption.

That being said, your passwords are pretty darn safe in the Safari browser. As long as your Apple ID password is strong and is changed frequently, then you shouldn’t have to worry about your passwords being compromised. As an additional layer of security, you should also be using a VPN like CyberGhost VPN while you’re connected to unsecured or public internet networks.

How Do You Manage Your Passwords In Safari?

So, as promised, here are some tips to help you manage your passwords in Safari. If you’ve never done it before, then be rest assured that most of the process is automatic and easy to edit/adjust. Here’s what you need to know.

Open Your Safari Browser: To manage your passwords in Safari, you’ll first want to open your Safari browser as you normally would. Then, if you haven’t already, log into your Apple account using your Apple ID. Now, your Safari browser will display all of your customized settings and saved passwords.
Navigate To Preferences: Now, look in the upper right-hand corner of your Safari browser and click ‘Preferences.’ This will allow you to change your browser settings and view passwords.
Select ‘Passwords’ To Modify Password Settings: Next, you’ll want to scroll down to where it says ‘Passwords,’ and click the bubble. Here, you’ll be able to modify all of your password settings and change how Safari treats your detected passwords and login credentials.
Add, Remove, and Change Passwords in Safari: Within the ‘Passwords’ menu, you’ll be able to manually add any passwords that Safari hasn’t detected, along with the associated URL. You’ll also be able to edit existing login credentials or remove login credentials that you no longer use or believe pose a security threat.

Can You Share Passwords Stored In Safari?

One of the coolest things about the Safari browser is that it allows you to share passwords with other Apple users via the AirDrop secure file transfer program. Using AirDrop, you’ll be able to securely send login credentials to anybody in your contacts list who’s an Apple user. This is great for sharing passwords with coworkers or family members and is a lot safer than sending passwords and credentials via unsecured SMS or email.

Will Safari Auto-Save Login Credentials?

Yes! For the most part, Safari will automatically detect when you’re logging into a new website or web app. It will also detect when you’re creating a new account and setting a new username and password for it. After entering your credentials, Safari should generate a pop-up asking you whether or not you would like the password stored in the browser.

Detect Compromised Passwords

Another great feature offered by Safari is that the password manager gives users the option to detect compromised passwords. Every day, hundreds of thousands of passwords and login credentials are compromised by hackers targeting unsuspecting browsers that aren’t secured with a VPN connection or individuals who are using a public wi-fi network.

All it takes is one unsecured connection and one halfway clever hacker and your passwords can be compromised and sold on the dark web to the highest bidder.

Thankfully, Apple has an advanced system that scans the dark web to find out if any of your saved passwords, usernames, or email addresses have been compromised and are listed for sale. If it detects any, it will provide you with a notification prompting you to change your password ASAP before the account is hacked.

Final Tips

Overall, Safari’s password manager is fairly secure and is a good option for managing, saving, and sending passwords and login credentials. The main thing you should take away from this post is that the security of Safari’s password manager is almost entirely dependent on how secure your Apple account is.

Make sure that your password is always random, secure, and uses special symbols, upper and lowercase letters, and doesn’t allude to personal details (such as your pet’s name or your kids’ birthdays). As long as you keep your Apple ID guarded and secure, then there’s very little chance that hackers will be able to access your stored passwords!