iOS 17 introduces a significant enhancement to iCloud Keychain, allowing users to seamlessly share credentials with others. This new feature, referred to as “Family Passwords” by Apple, extends beyond family members, enabling users to share passwords with trusted contacts. It enhances password sharing for improved security and convenience, and all shared data is end-to-end encrypted through iCloud Keychain.
To share passwords on an iPhone running iOS 17, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap “Passwords.”
- Under “Family Passwords,” select “Get Started.”
- Add individuals to your shared password group (they must be using iOS 17).
- Choose the passwords or passkeys you want to share.
- Tap “Move” in the top right corner.
- Send a message to the recipients informing them of the shared passwords.
You’re now set up to share passwords, and others who join can also participate. iOS 17 allows you to create multiple shared password groups, offering flexibility in managing shared credentials.
However, when it comes to deleting shared passwords, there’s an interesting aspect to note. Deleted shared passwords are moved to a “Recently Deleted” folder, where they remain for 30 days before permanent deletion. Importantly, they are deleted from both your personal passwords and the shared list. If you wish to remove a shared password from the shared list but keep it in your personal passwords, you can go to the “Recently Deleted” section, select the password, and choose “Recover to My Passwords.”
The ability to share passwords across Apple devices enhances the convenience of iCloud Keychain and positions it as a more competitive option compared to paid password managers.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Atlantic Brief journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
