Filling in passwords on safari does not ask for password?

[svkrzn]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if it is normal that when filling in login details using my macmini with aftermarket keyboard, i am not being prompted to enter the password for the app Passwords within safari, whereas doing the same on my MBP i need to use my fingerprint. So anyone can login to my bank account on my mac without biometrics but cannot do the same on MBP. What is the point of this? At least Bitwarden asks for master password every time.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I had my Mac mini doing the same thing (which I liked, it saved a lot of time!) before getting the Apple Touch ID keyboard. Now it behaves the same as my MacBook Pro and just a finger-touch to fill, which is fine - a good compromise between efficiency and security.

If your Mac is in an area where people are likely to be able to use it without your knowledge & permission, then set System Settings > Lock Screen > Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to "Immediately" and set "Start screen saver" to a sufficiently short time. Entering your user login is what unlocks the Passwords app and allows it to auto-fill if you don't have Touch ID. There's probably a keyboard shortcut you can use to force the Mac to "Sleep" when you are going to walk away from it; or you could use a Hot Corner for your mouse. Keyboard options will vary depending on the specific keyboard you have.

You could also go to Safari menu > Settings > Autofill and untick "User Names and Passwords" if you want to stop the autofill in general.

Just to be complete on the advice - if someone wantted their MacBook Pro to NOT require Touch ID (like your Mac mini), that's an option too. System Settings > Touch ID and Password turn off "Use Touch ID for autofilling passwords." Then the authority for autofill drops back to having logged in using the user password, just like if you didn't have Touch ID at all.