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The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords

Mar 26, 2014 10:35 PM
Mar 28, 2014 01:57 AM
Lock on a wooden door with password asterisk notation.

LastPass is a password manager that's been around for some time, and has finally made its way over to Android for use with apps, not just websites.

Just imagine logging into your banking app without having to input that password every single time. Much more convenient, and as long as you have strong security on your lock screen, shouldn't be an issue with others accessing your accounts.

Grab LastPass Password Manager for free from Google Play to get started saving time. You'll get a free 14-day trial, after which LastPass will cost you $12/year to use.

LastPass Password Manager Premium app advertisement

Because of the security features of the app, screenshots have been disabled. That being said, the set up is easy, just follow the on-screen guide to enter account information.

After setting up your account, head to the Settings page (using the Menu button) and check Enable Fill into Apps. You'll be taken to your Accessibility settings—select LastPass, toggle it on, and hit OK to the dialog that pops up.

Accessibility settings screen on a mobile device.
LeadPass user settings interface with options to manage articles, restore previous content, and set enhanced accessibility.
Accessibility settings screen on a mobile device.
LeadPass user settings interface with options to manage articles, restore previous content, and set enhanced accessibility.

Now back in the app's settings menu, check out Edit App Associations to see which of your apps have preset settings. Taking the Amazon app, for example, there are no associations linked, so when you try to sign in to the app, you'll see the following:

LastPass password manager prompt with options to close, ignore, or search.

Go back to LastPass, hit the Menu button, and select Add Site. Give it a name (I used "amazon"), then enter the URL (amazon.com), as well as your login information. Now when you go to the app, you'll see:

Password autofill prompt for LastPass with Amazon indicated.

Tap where it says "amazon" (or whatever you named it) and you're credentials will be automatically filled in. Go ahead and try it with other apps on your device.

Netflix login screen with password entry prompt and virtual keyboard.
Chase mobile app login screen with fields for username and password.
Login screen for Facebook app with password prompt.
Netflix login screen with password entry prompt and virtual keyboard.
Chase mobile app login screen with fields for username and password.
Login screen for Facebook app with password prompt.

Makes getting in to apps much easier, doesn't it?

Free Alternative Using PasswordBox

If after the 14-day trial you're not convinced to shell out $12/year, give PasswordBox Free a try. This app is free to use for up to 25 logins, after which an in-app purchase of $11.99/yr will be necessary to continue using it.

PasswordBox Free Password Safe app download option

Setting Up PasswordBox with a Master Password

On first opening of PasswordBox, you'll either need to create an account, or use your Google account, then create a master password.

The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Password confirmation screen on a mobile device.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Password confirmation screen on a mobile device.

Enabling 1-Tap Login for Apps with PasswordBox

Before we start adding our login information to various apps/sites, let's turn on the feature in the settings that'll allow us to use this app to login to other apps, versus just websites. Tap the three-bar button on the top left of the app, then select Settings.

Settings menu on a mobile device with options for login and browser settings highlighted.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Password Manager login interface with security alerts and options for monitoring actions.
Settings menu on a mobile device with options for login and browser settings highlighted.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Password Manager login interface with security alerts and options for monitoring actions.

After toggling 1-Tap Login notification on, the app will take you to your Accessibility settings page. From there, select PasswordBox 1-Tap Login, switch the service to on, then tap OK on the dialog box that pops up.

Adding Information for Accounts in PasswordBox

Adding login information for various websites is a piece of cake. From the main screen, tap the + button on the top right, then just select the site you want to add, or use the search box to add sites not listed.

App interface displaying options for Facebook and a search feature.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
App interface displaying options for Facebook and a search feature.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords

Now, if I want to login to Facebook, for example, I can simply tap the logo within the app, and choose one of three options.

Options for logging into Facebook mobile app and browser.

While you can copy, edit, or view your password, the real feature is of course the automatic login. If the service you're using has a corresponding, installed app, you'll see the option to Login to Mobile App. Otherwise, you'll see the bottom two options: Login in Chrome, which I've found to be somewhat buggy, and Login with PasswordBox, which works well using a built-in browser.

To use PasswordBox for apps, simply open the app you want to use, and if PasswordBox supports it, you'll see an overlay to enter your information. I'll use Netflix as an example—start by opening the app.

Login screen for an application with fields for email and password.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Login page with username and password fields on a mobile device.
Login screen for an application with fields for email and password.
The Safe & Secure Way to Get Your Phone to Remember Your App Passwords
Login page with username and password fields on a mobile device.

You'll be prompted to enter your account credentials once, which will shoot you to PasswordBox. After entering your username and password, whenever you go to the Netflix app and need to enter your login info, you'll get a box that will allow you to copy your username and password. From here, simply paste them into their respective fields.

The app is easy to use and will allow for 25 logins before you'll need to fork over any cash. It's a nice alternative to LastPass for the frugal minded.

Original padlock image via Sveter

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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