A Complete Guide to Using Google Password Manager in Chrome

Managing a multitude of passwords while browsing the web can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the Google Password Manager integrated into Chrome simplifies this task by securely storing your passwords.

Understanding Google Password Manager

The Google Password Manager is available on both desktop and mobile platforms, provided the Chrome browser is in use. It ensures your login credentials are synchronized across devices, as long as you’re logged into your Google account. Therefore, it’s essential to log into Chrome before you start saving passwords.

Once configured, the Password Manager detects new logins and prompts you to save your details—username, email (if applicable), and password. When you revisit the website, your information will be autofilled automatically.

Accessing Google Password Manager

The Google Password Manager is accessible across all devices using Chrome, as it’s built directly into the browser.

To open it, launch Chrome and click on your profile icon (or a generic profile placeholder if you’re not signed in) at the top right corner. Then, click on the key icon in the pop-up menu that appears to enter the password manager.

Alternatively, you can access it through the three-dot menu at the top right of Chrome by choosing Settings, followed by Autofill and passwords -> Google Password Manager.

The following sections provide guidance for the desktop version of Google Password Manager, although the steps are quite similar for mobile devices, with just minor variations. For this demonstration, I’ll be using an Android phone.

Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, then select Settings and choose Google Password Manager. Next, tap Settings and enable Auto sign-in. This feature is generally activated by default; however, if it’s not, you will need to authorize Google to log you in on stored sites.

If you often change passwords, I recommend selecting Add shortcut to your home screen from the Settings page for easy access.

As a final option, you can also visit the Password Manager website from any browser, allowing you to import and export passwords easily. Most other functionalities are accessible through Chrome’s Settings menu.

Configuring Google to Save Passwords

If you’re using a shared device, ensure you log in with your Google account prior to configuring the Password Manager. Remember to sign out after use, as your Google account is the only login you’ll need to recall.

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu at the top right. Select Passwords and autofill followed by Google Password Manager. When it opens in a new tab, click the hamburger menu on the left and select Settings. Depending on your device, the menu may differ; in that case, simply click on Settings. Ensure the following options are selected:

• Offer to save passwords and keys
• Sign in automatically (without this, you’ll need to confirm logins manually)
• Use and save passwords and passkeys from your Google account (this way they sync across devices)

Next, enable the Sync feature to synchronize your data across all devices. Ensure you are logged into your Google account, then click your profile image at the top right of Chrome. Select Turn on sync.

Adding Passwords to Google Password Manager

You can add passwords in two primary ways: auto-saving and manually. Both methods are effective.

Add Passwords via Auto-Save

The first time you log into a website, Chrome will prompt you to save your credentials. This is the most straightforward method—be sure to input everything accurately to avoid having to edit the saved details later.

Navigate to the login page of the website you wish to save credentials for, log in typically, and you should see a pop-up inviting you to save the password. If you’re already signed into your Google account, it will save there; if not, it will store locally. Click Next to confirm.

If the pop-up doesn’t appear, you can click the key icon at the far right of the address bar to manually trigger it. If you are not ready to log in, just enter your credentials without completing the login process, click the key icon, and save your details.

Add Passwords Manually

You can also manually add passwords whenever needed. This is particularly useful if you previously opted for Never when prompted to save a password or if you don’t want to log into the website immediately.

Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu at the top right, select Passwords and autofill -> Google Password Manager, and then click Add next to Passwords. Fill in all required fields, being sure to input the URL for the login section of the website, not just the homepage.

Click Save when you’re finished.

Creating Strong Passwords

A highly valuable, yet often overlooked feature of Google Password Manager is its ability to generate strong, unique passwords. Utilize this functionality when establishing a new account on a website or app.

While creating a new account, use Chrome to visit the login page, fill in all fields except for the password, right-click the password field, and select Suggest password….

Click Use strong password to apply the suggested password. Note that it will only be visible for a short time. You can then proceed to complete your account setup and store the login details.

Editing Passwords

Password changes are common, and you’ll want to update them in Google Password Manager within Chrome. Ensure you are logged into your Google account while doing this.

Directly navigate to the Password Manager site, or click your profile icon and select the key icon to access it. Click the arrow next to the site whose password you wish to change. Enter your device PIN or Google account password when prompted, as this can vary by device.

Click the arrow again, select Edit, input the new details, then hit Save.

If you wish to create a stronger password, open any site to start a new account, right-click the password field, and let Google suggest one. You can then jot this down to use for an existing account or utilize a Password Generator.

Importing and Exporting Passwords in Chrome

To bulk import multiple passwords into Google Password Manager, you may do so by using a CSV file. If you have another password manager, first export your passwords as a CSV and then import them into Google.

Click your profile icon in Chrome, select the key icon, and once on the Google Password Manager page, click the hamburger menu in the top left corner and choose Settings. Scroll to the Import section, and select whether to import to this device or your Google account. Then, choose your CSV file for upload.

If you haven’t been using another password manager, you can create your own CSV file with these specific columns:

• url
• username
• password

If you encounter issues while importing, check to ensure the column names are exactly as listed above.

Exporting passwords follows a similar process. Instead of clicking Import, simply choose Export. Select where to save your file, and you’re set. This is a convenient option if transitioning to a different password manager or if you desire a password backup.

It’s prudent to back up your passwords on an external hard drive or flash drive, as some users have lost their passwords after device or browser updates.

Enhancing Password Security

Google’s online security resources provide insights into how your information is protected. They also suggest two crucial practices: create a highly secure password for your Google account and enable 2-step verification. These steps significantly bolster the security of your Google account.

Create a wholly unique password for your Google account, as you will need it to access your password list or modify any details.

Then, in Chrome, click your profile icon and select Manage your Google account. From the sidebar, choose Security, then find and enable 2-step verification.

Select your preferred secondary verification methods, such as a passkey, prompt, authenticator app, or phone number, and click Turn on 2-step verification.

Checking Chrome Passwords for Breaches

Curious if your passwords have been compromised or are weak? Google Password Manager offers a check for you. Open Chrome and select your profile icon, then choose the key icon.

Access the hamburger menu (if available) and select Checkup. This tool initiates a scan of all stored login credentials.

Deactivating Google Password Manager

If you decide you don’t want to use the password manager in Chrome anymore, you can turn it off to stop the prompt to save passwords. Click your profile icon in Chrome and select the key icon. From there, choose Settings from the hamburger menu (or sidebar, depending on the device).

Disable Offer to save passwords and passkeys. Once this is off, navigate to Passwords in the side menu to delete any sites you wish to remove. Enter your password when prompted and confirm by clicking Delete.

To clear all stored credentials at once, first disable Sync by clicking your profile icon. Next, open the three-dot menu in Chrome and select Delete browsing data. Go to the Advanced tab, check Passwords and other sign-in data, and click Delete data. Repeat this on all synced devices, after which you may re-enable sync.

For those transitioning to a different password manager, consider these alternatives to Google Password Manager. If Chrome becomes unresponsive while managing passwords, refer to these troubleshooting tips. Finally, power users of Chrome may want to master these keyboard shortcuts.

Image credit: Unsplash All screenshots by Crystal Crowder

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