How to manage your passwords in Chrome

Let Chrome remember your passwords so you don’t have to

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It comes with the territory that you’ll be storing a bunch of passwords in your favorite web browser to make it easier to sign into some accounts in a hurry.

This is whyGoogle Chromehas an Autofill feature for your login details for some sites, where it will ask if you want to insert your credentials without you lifting a finger.

It’s a simple affair where you can allow the web browser to do this at every site you have an account with, which is why we’ve put together the below guide to help you set it up to have it ready for your next browse of the web.

Tools and Requirements

Step by step guide

1. Install and update Chrome

If you have not already started using Chrome but you like the idea of switching from your current browser, you can download and install it fromGoogle. But if you so already have Chrome installed, whether it is your main browser or not, you should make sure that it is completely up to date.

In the browser, click thethree-dot menuto the upper right and selectHelp>About Google Chrome. Chrome will perform a quick check to see if there are any updates available, and you should install them and restart if prompted to do so.

2. Saving passwords

There are two scenarios in which Chrome gives you the opportunity to save a username and password so you don’t have to remember them. The first is when you create a new online account - be that with a social network, an online store, an email account, or anything else; the second is when you sign into an account.

A pop-up will appear asking if you would like to save the password, and you can click eitherSaveorNeveras you see fit.

3. Check your settings

If you find that Chrome does not prompt you to save a password, it may be the case that you have disabled the option in your browser. To change this, click thethree-dot menuto the upper right and selectSettings.

Move to theAutofillsection, clickPassword Managerto the right, and then make sure that theOffer to save passwordsoption is enabled.

4. Autofilling passwords

When you revisit a site for which you have saved your login credentials, you will find that this information is automatically filled in for you. Just how this is done, and how it looks, will depend on the design of individual websites, and you may find that your username and password are both entered on the same screen, or you may need to confirm your username before your password is then filled in.

If you have multiple accounts with a particular site, you can select which to sign into by clicking in the username field and using the menu that appears.

5. Viewing passwords

You may find it useful to check the passwords that you’ve saved. To do this, openSettingsin chrome and head to thePassword Managerin theAutofillsection. Under theSaved Passwordsheading, you will see a list of all of the sites for which you have saved passwords - but the passwords are hidden by default.

To view the password for a particular site, click the eye icon and enter the credentials you are asked for - such as your Windows login details, or PIN. Chrome will then reveal the password to you.

6. Changing saved data

At some point, you may need to change the data you have saved for a particular site, and this can be done with thePassword Manager. Click thethree-dot buttonto the right of the eye icon next to an entry and selectEdit passwordfrom the menu.

Again, you will need to provide credentials such as your Windows password or PIN, but then you can go ahead and make the necessary changes to a username and password before clickingSave.

7. Deleting passwords

Whether for the sake of neatness or out of concern for security, you may want to delete the password you have saved for a particular site – again, this can be done with thePassword Manager.

Click thethree-dot buttonto the right of the eye icon next to the entry for a site you wish to delete from the password manager and select theRemoveoption from the menu.

8. Remove sites from Never Saved

We mentioned earlier that it is possible to opt out of having passwords saved for a particular site by selecting the Never option when prompted. If you change your mind about a particular site, open up thePassword ManagerinSettingsand scroll down to the bottom of the page to theNever Savedsection.

To have Chrome prompt you to save the password for a site the next time you visit it, just click thexbutton next to a site to remove it from the list.

9. Checking password security

Chrome can advise you if you’re using weak passwords for any sites, as well as informing you if your passwords have been part of a security breach. In thePassword Manager, click theCheck Passwordlink and the browser will perform a scan of your saved passwords.

In the list of results, you will be told of any passwords that have been comprised, and you can click theChange Passwordbutton to be taken to the relevant site to take the necessary action.

Further down, you will see a list of password Chrome considers to be weak, and again offered the opportunity to change them.

10. Exporting passwords

While your passwords are synchronized and backed up via your Google account, you may still want to export your saved passwords for extra security. This not only gives you an additional backup, but it also gives you the option of importing your saved passwords into another browser if you decide to move away from Chrome.

In thePassword Manager, click thethree-dot menunext to theAddbutton in theSaved Passwordssection, and then selectExport passwordsfrom the menu. You can then save your passwords as a .csv (comma-separated values) file.

Final Thoughts

It is undeniably handy to have Chrome taking care of your password management. After all, your web browser is something you use every day, so it’s great not to have to rely on any other software. It is not just Chrome that offers a password manager, of course – it is now a common feature of just about every browser on the market. But if you’re looking for some extra feature or demand additional security, you may want to look to third-party tools.

Two that are worthy of note are NordPass and RoboForm.NordPassis available in Free, Premium, and Family bundles, with paid-for tiers having monthly, yearly, or two-yearly payment options.

RoboFormalso has free and paid-for versions to choose from, so it’s another great option for anyone on a budget.

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Sofia is a tech journalist who’s been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.

Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.

Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.

You can find her onTwitterandMastodon.

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