Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,435
39,268


macOS Monterey makes several improvements to password management, positioning iCloud Keychain as an ideal password service to replace third-party services like Lastpass and 1Password.

passwords-system-preferences.jpg

In System Preferences, there's a new "Passwords" section that houses all of your iCloud Keychain logins and passwords so they're easier to get to, edit, and manage. There's a similar Passwords section that's been on iOS for some time now, so now there's one streamlined way to access your passwords across Apple devices.

passwords-monterey-2.jpg

Prior to now, passwords on Mac were accessible through the Preferences interface in Safari, but the System Preferences option is easier to find. As with the prior version of the feature, Safari will suggest passwords automatically and detect compromised passwords for you.

New in Monterey is an option to import and export passwords, so you can move your logins between iCloud Keychain and other password management apps. iCloud Keychain does not have as many entry fields as some password managers, but it supports username, password, and website data.

importing-password-monterey.jpg

There's also a built-in authenticator feature, which is coming to iOS and iPadOS 15 too. For sites and apps that use codes for two-factor authentication, you can store those codes right in iCloud Keychain and have them autofilled when you log in.

adding-password-monterey.jpg

Direct authenticator support will allow iPhone and Mac users to choose to use Apple's solution over third-party apps and software like Authy and Google Authenticator.

two-factor-verification-monterey.jpg

Other smaller changes include an iCloud Passwords extension for autofilling saved iCloud Passwords in the Edge browser, which is handy for Windows users who need cross platform password access in the browser, plus there's a new iCloud Passwords app included with iCloud for Windows.

The macOS Monterey password changes are live now in the developer beta, with Apple planning to release a public beta in July before the software sees a public launch this fall.

Article Link: macOS Monterey Features Dedicated Password Section in System Preferences, Built-In Authenticator and More
 
Still missing a couple of important things that 1Password has:

- Option to upload attachments that, for example, contain backup codes

- Generate passwords inside the new System Preferences section

Yeah, yeah, I know, you can do it inside Keychain Access app, but this article is not about Keychain Access app, it’s about the new System Preferences section.
 
Last edited:
I've been using OneSafe for years, and while it has been very useful, every once in a while I have issues with synchronization (duplicated entries).
I've been using iCloud Keychain more and more, specially on the iPad and iPhone, the Passwords section. Very useful, I just wish there's a way to back up this information in case of data corruption.
 
Does... Does no one know about the Keychain Access app in the Utilities folder? It's been there since 10.5! It's synced to iCloud Keychain since day one.

Absolutely. I used to have a little padlock up in my menu bar and use it all the time. It was also a useful repository for secure notes... another reason not to use keychain access.

I must confess, that I’m a long time 1password user, but over the last couple of years I’ve used it less and less. iCloud Keychain is basically covering all my needs.
 
I'm so glad to see them finally address this. The current Keychain Access app is terrible, and most people aren't looking for a full history of authentication information. This looks like it'll be much more readable.
 
Still missing a couple of important things that 1Password has:

- option to upload attachments that, for example, contain backup codes
- generate passwords
Are you 100% sure? Do you mean the iCloud option will not generate the dynamic codes?
I could move from Authy to iCloud but I think I need the 2FA codes...
I would love if the macrumors redactor have done an complete example about this....came on, you just have to create a new account in macrumors forums and enable 2FA...
 
Are you 100% sure? Do you mean the iCloud option will not generate the dynamic codes?
I could move from Authy to iCloud but I think I need the 2FA codes...
I would love if the macrumors redactor have done an complete example about this....came on, you just have to create a new account in macrumors forums and enable 2FA...
I did some research, https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10105/
In minute 6 there is a example of keychain generating dynamic codes
 
Does... Does no one know about the Keychain Access app in the Utilities folder? It's been there since 10.5! It's synced to iCloud Keychain since day one.
Even if all they do is surface functionality in Keychain Access, that'll be worthwhile. Too few people do know about it. This looks like it's more than that though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Morod
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.