Apple to introduce dedicated Passwords app for iPhone and Mac

Apple plans to launch a dedicated password management app, "Passwords," in the next iPhone and Mac operating systems, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

This app will compete with services like 1Password and LastPass, which typically charge a monthly fee.

Currently, Apple generates and stores unique passwords through iCloud Keychain, syncing them across Apple devices and Windows PCs via a browser extension. However, passwords stored in iCloud Keychain are located within the Settings app, making them cumbersome to access or change. The dedicated Passwords app aims to streamline this process, offering users a more convenient way to manage their passwords and encouraging them to stay within the Apple ecosystem.

The Passwords app will categorize passwords into different groups such as accounts, WiFi networks, and Passkeys, and will allow importing passwords from rival apps. It will also support automatic password filling, two-factor verification codes, and will be compatible with Apple's Vision Pro headset. However, it remains unclear if the app will support secure storage of files and images, a feature offered by 1Password and LastPass.

Apple is expected to reveal the Passwords app along with new versions of iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and VisionOS at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. The new software versions are anticipated to include brand-new AI features.