The useful thing about third-party password management apps is that they work cross platform

Apple announced plans to make it much easier to use popular third-party password management tools Dashlane and 1Password at WWDC 2018, and kept its promise with the release of iOS 12. How does this system work and how do you enable it?

What is going on?

Apple has opened up a little with the introduction of a Password Manager API that developers can use to access passwords and logins for Safari websites, apps and more. Developers can use this API to securely connect their apps to the passwords you keep stashed in your Keychain.

The day is finally here! #iOS12 is live! That means you can autofill usernames and passwords directly inside Safari and other supported apps (like Twitter).

Are you ready for autofill bliss?

Step-by-step instructions on how to get started here: https://t.co/b3wszgB9on pic.twitter.com/GIZ1iWZ5AB

— Dashlane (@dashlane) September 17, 2018

How do I enable my third-party password manager?

Dashlane, LastPass and 1Password have shipped updated versions of their apps that offer support for this new iOS 12 feature.

• Dashlane
• 1Password
• LastPass

Once you have downloaded and installed iOS 12 and the new version of your third-party password manager of choice you need to connect the two systems up.

• On your iOS device openSettings
• Tap Passwords & Accounts>Autofill Passwords
• Ensure AutoFill is enabled (switch to green)
• In the Allow Filling From section you must tick your choice of password manager.
• You can use up to two systems, so you can use Dashlane or 1Password as well as iCloud Keychain.

How does it work?

Once you have enabled a compatible third-party password management app you will see password credentials you keep stored in that app appear as a suggestion when filling in passwords for the services you use. This means you can tap the prompt, authenticate, and your user name and password will be filled in on your behalf.

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You may notice that if your device isn’t sure which account to use, or if a password is correct, it will offer a small key that lets you access other passcodes beside its recommendation. If your device is convinced it is offering the right password it offers its suggestion in a slightly more over way (a big blue button replaces the keyboard).

Available now: In-App Password AutoFill with #LastPass on #iOS 12! Login into all your favorite #iPhone apps with ease, with LastPass Password AutoFill. Learn more on how to use the feature on your iOS 12 devices in our blog post: https://t.co/Zv8yYZ6O57 pic.twitter.com/icQyW9D2n7

— LastPass (@LastPass) September 17, 2018

Who benefits?

Everyone benefits from, but given that some third party password managers are cross compatible solutions that work across all Apple products as well as with other platforms, anyone who uses an Apple device and non-Apple devices now gets the convenience of powerful password management.