Apple today released a new version of its iCloud for Windows app, with the 12.5 update adding a new iCloud Keychain password manager app for Windows users.
With the new password management option, those who are running Windows can access their iCloud Keychain passwords and can add, edit, copy and paste, delete, and look up usernames or passwords. Apple in January released an updated version of iCloud for Windows that hinted at the new password app, but Apple did not implement it until now.
New iCloud password extensions for Microsoft Edge and Windows Chrome work in tandem with the password feature, letting iCloud passwords be autofilled on a Windows machine just like in Safari. Usernames and passwords created for websites are automatically added to the Passwords app.
iCloud Keychain passwords on Windows are stored in an encrypted database and are transferred to the browser extension using an encrypted channel, with passwords not stored in clear text.
iCloud for Windows Passwords is part of iCloud for Windows 12.5, and Windows users can download it from the Microsoft Store. The iCloud for Windows app is designed to let Windows users access their iCloud files, photos, emails, and more from Windows devices.
It's a shame there's no Firefox extension button. I was happy to see this update for a moment.
It's ironic how poorly Apple is when it comes to supporting native features and API's outside their own platforms when they expect anyone developing for Apple platforms to adopt all the latest API's and capabilities of their native platforms. All their offerings for Windows is lacklustre and reeks of bare minimum effort. Same goes for things like Apple Music for Android that doesn't cohere to any of Google's UX design rules or guidelines whatsoever.
Considering all modern browsers, including Safari with v15 are all using the same WebExtensions API there is no reason for Apple to not allow Keychain to be integrated with everything from Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, to Brave, Mozilla Firefox etc.
If Apple expect developers to start adding all their browser extensions to Safari with the move to WebExtensions with Safari v15 they should lead with a good example and do the same with their Keychain integration on Windows. Don't create these artificial limitations when there is no need for them when all these browsers are using the same baseline for their extensions.
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.
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...
Wednesday January 27, 2021 10:29 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple yesterday released a new version of iCloud for Windows 10, and based on multiple reports and the update's release notes, it appears Apple is introducing an iCloud Passwords extension designed for Chrome, which will allow iCloud Keychain passwords to be used on Windows machines.
Image via The 8-Bit As noted by The 8-Bit and a few other sources, the update adds support for an "iCloud...
Monday February 1, 2021 1:04 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple has released an iCloud password extension for Google's Chrome browser on Windows that allows iCloud Keychain passwords to be used on PCs.
Called simply "iCloud Passwords," the extension allows users to access passwords in Google Chrome that have been generated in Apple's Safari browser. It also enables iCloud syncing of passwords generated in Chrome, making them available on Apple...
Wednesday August 11, 2021 7:35 am PDT by Sami Fathi
Popular password management app 1Password today previewed the "next generation" of its app, 1Password 8, featuring a more contextual user interface, redesigned menus, improved password generation, and more.
The new update is a considerable update, featuring refinements that make it easier for users to track, manage, and keep an eye on potentially vulnerable passwords. One of the first...
Tuesday February 2, 2021 2:10 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Update 2/3: As spotted by The 8-Bit, Apple has now reinstated iCloud for Windows version 12 on the Microsoft Store. Apple has pulled version 12 of iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store, based on user reports. The update included support for the iCloud Passwords Chrome extension released on Monday.
As noted by The 8-Bit, the version of iCloud currently on the Microsoft App Store...
Dropbox today announced that it will be rolling out a limited version of its Dropbox Passwords password manager to users with a free Dropbox Basic account in early April. The feature launched last year for paying subscribers only.
Dropbox Basic users will be able to store up to 50 passwords, with automatic syncing on up to three devices. These limits are likely in place to incentivize users...
Apple is developing a new passkey feature that will allow customers to use Face ID and Touch ID-based account authentication in lieu of a password, Apple engineer Garrett Davidson explained today in a WWDC developer session (via CNET).
"Passkeys in iCloud Keychain," a feature in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, stores a new WebAuthn credential called a passkey in iCloud keychain. It's used instead ...
AgileBits has released a version of 1Password for web browsers that brings Touch ID integration to the popular password management service.
The addition of support for biometric authentication means that if 1Password is locked and you have the desktop app installed, you can use the Touch ID ring that comes with Apple's latest MacBooks and Magic Keyboards to unlock your passwords.
The...
Saturday September 11, 2021 1:53 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
WhatsApp has announced it will give its two billion users the option to upload their chat backups to Apple's iCloud using password-protected encryption.
Currently, WhatsApp on iPhone lets users back up their chat history to iCloud, but messages and media that users back up aren't protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption while in Apple's cloud servers.
Given that Apple...
Tuesday August 24, 2021 1:47 pm PDT by Juli Clover
A criminal from Los Angeles has pled guilty to felony charges after breaking into thousands of iCloud accounts to hunt down nude photos of women, reports The Los Angeles Times.
Hao Kuo Chi collected more than 620,000 private photos and videos by impersonating Apple customer support staff and sending out emails to trick his victims into providing Apple IDs and passwords. Chi used social...
When Apple released iOS 14.5 in April, it introduced the ability to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, as long as you are wearing an Apple Watch. Here are some troubleshooting tips.
New features for FaceTime calls, tools to reduce distractions, a new notifications experience, added privacy features, complete redesigns for Safari, Weather, and Maps, and more.
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Top Rated Comments
Considering all modern browsers, including Safari with v15 are all using the same WebExtensions API there is no reason for Apple to not allow Keychain to be integrated with everything from Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, to Brave, Mozilla Firefox etc.
If Apple expect developers to start adding all their browser extensions to Safari with the move to WebExtensions with Safari v15 they should lead with a good example and do the same with their Keychain integration on Windows. Don't create these artificial limitations when there is no need for them when all these browsers are using the same baseline for their extensions.