4 major improvements for iCloud Keychain
Password apps like 1Password and Lastpass are getting a competitor. With macOS Monterey, the iCloud Keychain is increasingly becoming a full-fledged password manager.
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iCloud Keychain in 2021: 4 improvements
With the first beta of macOS Monterey available to developers, we’re learning more and more about all the improvements the update introduces. Now we know more about iCloud Keychain.
1. A place of its own in System Preferences
The feature has been given a nice upgrade and given you its own place in the System Preferences. Now the option is still tucked away in Safari’s settings, making it less convenient to use.
If you click on this you will see a handy overview of all your iCloud Keychain passwords and login details. Here you can manage, adjust and delete this data. Since everything in iCloud is automatically synced with your other Apple devices, it will become the central place for many people to manage their iCloud passwords. You will also find an overview of similar passwords here.
2. Import and Export Passwords
New in macOS Monterey is the option to import and export passwords. Handy if you plan to switch to 1Password or Lastpass, or switch to iCloud Keychain from another password app and don’t have to manually transfer all your login details.
3. Two-step verification built-in
A good password is important, but for really good security you also need two-step verification. You thus add a second step to your login details, with a numerical code that refreshes itself every thirty seconds. Starting with macOS Monterey, iOS 15, and iPadOS 15, iCloud Keychain is finally getting a built-in two-step verification option. From now on you can save these number codes in the app and have them filled in automatically.
4. Now also useful for Windows users
Finally, there are a few small improvements. For example, an extension will be available for Microsoft’s Edge browser and a full-fledged iCloud Passwords app for Windows. Handy if you also use a Windows computer in addition to iOS and macOS and can continue to use all your passwords in the same place.
iCloud Keychain is a convenient way to use strong passwords online. The service suggests hard-to-crack passwords and stores them for you. This way you can log in quickly while keeping your online data well under lock and key.
