Why I use Apple’s and Google’s password managers – and don’t mind the chaos

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Ditch the Notes app; start using your device’s built-in password manager.
• Apple and Google make password managers suitable for beginners.
• Apple is best for iOS users, Google is best for Android or mixed-device users.

As I get older, I’m realizing I can’t remember everything, especially the passwords to my important accounts. There are streaming services, insurance accounts, bill portals, and a million other accounts to keep up with. Instead of logging my passwords in my Notes app (as I used to do), I started using Apple’s and Google’s password managers.

Also: Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer free password managers – but should you use them?

They aren’t fancy, but they’re a great starting point for beginners like me who need a safe place to store their passwords. The ubiquity of these companies’ products and services makes their password managers simple to integrate across your hardware and software, even if you use both. Here’s how.

My tricky situation

I prefer Apple’s user interface, but I don’t like its email app; I prefer Gmail. I use Safari as my internet browser on my iPhone, but never on my MacBook; I’m more of a Chrome person when surfing the web. So, my passwords are spread across Apple’s hardware devices and Google’s services. Apple’s password manager lets me save my passwords on-device, while Google’s lets me save them to the cloud.

Why I use Apple Passwords

Apple’s password manager stores all the passwords in my Apple account. This app also stores my passkeys, which are saved in iCloud Keychain and shared across all my Apple devices. On my iPhone, I use Face ID as a passkey, and on my MacBook, I use my fingerprint.

Also: How I switched password managers without losing a single login – quickly and for free

From my experience, Apple Passwords is a solid option for Apple users, but — like many other Apple features — it’s limited to the iOS ecosystem. So, if you have an iPhone and a Windows PC, for example, you’ll find it difficult to sync your passwords across your devices. However, if you have an iPhone, Mac, and iPad, these passwords and your passkeys will sync across devices.

Why I use Google Password Manager

I use Google Password Manager on my MacBook when using Chrome, which is where I do most of my browsing. I can use my Google account on Chrome, save passwords, create passkeys, and use my Mac’s Touch ID to validate Google password passkeys. I also use a Google Pixel 9 Pro to test certain headphones and earbuds with Android-specific features, and sometimes I need to create new app accounts to register my devices.

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If I ever want to log in to an app on my iPhone that I created on my Pixel, I can easily open the Chrome browser on my iPhone, access my Google Password Manager with my Google account, and retrieve my information. Unlike Apple Passwords, Google Password Manager is more easily accessible across device ecosystems, as long as you have a Google account.

Which is better?

I don’t have a preference between the two; I find Apple Passwords to be more convenient since I have Apple devices, but it’s easier to create passkeys in Google Password Manager. I recommend Apple Passwords to people who reside strictly in the Apple ecosystem. I recommend Google Password Manager to people with mixed-device ecosystems or who prefer Google’s productivity apps and browser over proprietary ones installed on their devices.