How Apple's iOS 12 Password AutoFill Feature Works With 1Password

[MacRumors]

Apple in iOS 12 introduced a new Password AutoFill API for apps like 1Password and LastPass, designed to allow password management apps to provide stored usernames and passwords for not only websites but also third-party apps.

1Password has introduced support for Password AutoFill in a beta capacity ahead of the launch of iOS 12, giving us a look at just how simple and easy Password AutoFill makes entering login details.

Note: This 1Password feature is not widely available yet because it is implemented in a beta version of the app, but it will be available for everyone when the 1Password app is updated following the release of iOS 12.

Set Up

Once a password management app that supports Password AutoFill has been installed, the feature needs to be enabled on an iOS device.

Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > AutoFill Passwords and toggle on the AutoFill Passwords option while also making sure your password management app, such as 1Password, is selected.

You can use third-party password management apps right alongside iCloud Keychain, or you can choose to disable iCloud Keychain and use just a password management app.

How it Works

The Password AutoFill feature lets a third-party app function just like iCloud Keychain, with your sensitive data protected but easily accessible within apps when you need your login information.

When you encounter a login field in an app or on the web, tapping in the entry field will display the stored username and password from your password management app if you've saved one.

From there, you can tap the information to enter it into the app or website's login window, such as in the Spotify example below.

There are instances where 1Password does not have saved information entirely right or where you have multiple logins, such as in the case of multiple Twitter or Instagram accounts.

In these situations, if you tap on the key icon and then select the "1Password" option, you can view all of the available accounts for a particular service.

In the case of Instagram, this means that when I'm logging into the Instagram app, I see my two Instagram accounts listed in 1Password and I can tap either one to enter my login information.

For apps that 1Password cannot automatically identify, you will be able to access your entire password vault to find the login information that you need.

Where it Works

What's great about the Password AutoFill API is that it does not require developers to implement any kind of integrations with your password management app to function, as was required in previous versions of iOS for this kind of functionality.

1Password's Password AutoFill feature, for example, works automatically in most apps and websites, with your 1Password archive available no matter where you're logging in.

As a caveat, 1Password will not recognize some apps and you'll see a message that the app is "Unidentified" with no identifying information provided. In this situation, you can still access your 1Password vault to search for the password that's required.

One-Time Passwords

When logging into apps and websites that require two-factor authentication, using a one-time password is also simplified.

If your two-factor authentication setup is linked to 1Password, when you log into an app or website that requires two-factor authentication, your password is entered in the field and your one-time authentication password is automatically copied and pasted to the clipboard for easy entry.

For apps that use your phone number for authentication purposes, iOS 12 introduces a feature that takes a code from an incoming iMessage and copies it to the clipboard, so two-factor authentication is simplified no matter the method.

Password AutoFill on Apple TV

Password AutoFill extends to the Apple TV using the continuity keyboard that permits the iPhone to be used to enter passwords and login information on the Apple TV.

For this to work, both the Apple TV and the iOS device need to be signed into the same iCloud account, and from there, the process is identical to using Password AutoFill on the iPhone.

In a text entry field, when prompted to use the iPhone to enter login information, passwords stored in a password management app and linked to Password AutoFill will be able to be entered on the Apple TV.

Note: tvOS 12 and iOS 12 are required for Password AutoFill to work on the Apple TV.

Security

Every time your password management account is activated, you will need to confirm your identity with either Face ID or Touch ID to enter a password.

If Face ID or Touch ID fails, you will need to enter a password. In the case of 1Password, this means that if biometric authentication does not work, you will need to use the master password.

Release Date

1Password's Password AutoFill update will be available following the release of iOS 12, which we expect to see debut next month, shortly ahead of the launch of new iPhones. 1Password is available on Macs and iOS devices for as little as $2.99 per month for an individual account. A free 30 day trial is available from the 1Password website.

Article Link: How Apple's iOS 12 Password AutoFill Feature Works With 1Password

 

[andreiru]

1Password allowed this?

 

[scottcampbell]

I hope LastPass gets the same integration.

 

[iLeoMarc]

1Password allowed this?

Apple provided the API. 1Password added it to their beta.

 

[gaximus]

How can I use the built in password manager to generate a password, like when the browser doesn't recognize the password field?

 

[justperry]

1Password is available on Macs and iOS devices for as little as $2.99 per month for an individual account. A free 30 day trial is available from the 1Password website.

Hate these subs, no thanks, the built in keychain does a good job for most of us.

 

[kycophpd]

Who else is an idiot and went to settings and could not find 1Password as an option??? Oh only me? I should have read all the way to the bottom first.

 

[k.alexander]

Not active on my iOS12beta9. I assume I need an updated version of 1Password that’s not out publicly yet?

 

[blacktape242]

I use 1password but the free version on my phone only. I suppose this is not supported?

 

[fede777]

Not active on my iOS12beta9. I assume I need an updated version of 1Password that’s not out pinlically yet?

It only works with the 1Password beta. Will be available for the rest of us when iOS12 is available and 1Password updates their app.

 

[TechRemarker]

1Password allowed this?

Apple allowed this via a new API, which 1Password eagerly took advantage of. Great news for all, since people can keep using Keychain as they always have or now they can use 1Password natively without extra hacks and workarounds.

 

[jclo]

Not active on my iOS12beta9. I assume I need an updated version of 1Password that’s not out pinlically yet?

Yes, you need a beta version of 1Password. It will be available when iOS 12 is released.

 

[fede777]

I use 1password but the free version on my phone only. I suppose this is not supported?

I think it will, the subscription is for other features.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Hate these subs, no thanks, the built in keychain does a good job for most of us.

I use Keychain and it’s fantastic. But I’m in the Apple ecosystem — 1Password has the advantage of being on Windows computers and other platforms too.

 

[roncron]

Who else is an idiot and went to settings and could not find 1Password as an option??? Oh only me? I should have read all the way to the bottom first.

Same here. I saw a similar article on 9to5 the other day and since I have iOS 12 beta installed, I mistakenly thought I could start using this feature, and wasted a good 15 minutes looking for the settings to activate it.

This article would be a lot more useful if it came out when the feature is available.

 

[heov]

First one to day Android had AutoFill service first (with multiple services possible). First one to say Apple copied Android. First one to say this isn't innovative, so it's not "copying". Firdt one to say Apple's implementation is different and better.

All in all though, having used Android in the last few weeks, this is a great feature. I'm sure Google will also have their Smart Lock available on iOS too.

 

[zorinlynx]

This is going to be a killer feature for people who use Windows on the desktop and have iOS devices. Windows devices cannot use iCloud Keychain.

 

[jclo]

Same here. I saw a similar article on 9to5 the other day and since I have iOS 12 beta installed, I mistakenly thought I could start using this feature, and wasted a good 15 minutes looking for the settings to activate it.

This article would be a lot more useful if it came out when the feature is available.

We'll likely reshare it when iOS 12 is launched, but wanted to highlight it now so it's not lost when all of the major news hits following the iOS 12 release and the launch of new iPhones. Sorry for the confusion about the beta -- I've added a clearer note at the top to let people know this is not yet available to the public.

 

[gwhizkids]

In my experience on the iOS 12 beta (at least with Keychain), the one time password actually autopopulates the requesting dialog. No need to even copy it. Not sure if this true with all apps/sites, though.

 

[Rigby]

Looks convenient. Hopefully one of the KeePass-compatible apps for iOS will adopt the new API. I much prefer using an open database format rather than being locked into a proprietary one.

 

[archer75]

Not a fan of 1password. But I sure hope this comes to lastpass!

 

[esmd]

1Password allowed this?

1P worked to make it possible, there’s a closed/private 1P beta, that’s how they got to show us how it’ll work.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Amazing its taken to iOS 12 to get something so useful and basic.

Hey at least we got plenty of emoji updates

 

[TriBruin]

In my experience on the iOS 12 beta (at least with Keychain), the one time password actually autopopulates the requesting dialog. No need to even copy it. Not sure if this true with all apps/sites, though.

it should be more clear about the two different types of Two Factor. Many sites use an SMS based solution which texts a code to a known phone number. While secure for most people, a person could hijack your phone number and get the TFA code.

Many site support TFA through a code generator (Authy among others.) Once enrolled, your code generator will product a time based code as the the TF. As long as you have access to the code generator, you can login. 1Password has the code generator built-in. Once you register a website, you can autofill your user name and password. 1P will also copy the current one-time code to your clipboard, which can then be easily pasted when prompted. It is very slick and works well. I have switch all my TFAs to code generators for sites that support it over SMS.

 

[justperry]

I use Keychain and it’s fantastic. But I’m in the Apple ecosystem — 1Password has the advantage of being on Windows computers and other platforms too.

Almost perfect, I use Ubiquiti Unifi (and their controller), there are several passwords for keychain to remember, Keychain can't do this but I think that's not Keychain's fault, rather that the controller is on one local network address, it uses safari and the single controllers page confuses Keychain access, don't think any password manager is capable to remember the different passwords either.