iCloud Passwords Extension Now on Chrome

iCloud Passwords Extension Released on Chrome Web Store, Helps Access Saved Apple Passwords on Windows

⚡ Key Points

Apple has released an official iCloud Passwords extension on the Chrome Web Store.

It works in both the Windows and Mac versions of Chrome.

The extension lets users access iCloud Keychain passwords in Chrome and saves new Chrome passwords back to iCloud Keychain.

It is only useful for people who use iCloud Keychain as their password manager.

The extension was first spotted in the latest version of the iCloud for Windows 10 app.

The iCloud Passwords extension is now live on the Chrome Web Store, giving Windows and Mac users a way to access and sync the passwords stored in their iCloud Keychain directly inside Chrome. Apple built the add-on for people who rely on iCloud Keychain as their main password manager. It bridges the gap between Apple devices and Windows PCs, and between the Chrome and Safari browsers.

What the iCloud Passwords extension does

The extension lets you use the same passwords you create on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac when you visit websites in Chrome on a Windows or Mac computer. It works in both the Windows and Mac versions of Chrome.

Apple says the tool also saves any new passwords you create in Chrome straight to your iCloud Keychain. That means those credentials become available on your Apple devices later, keeping everything in sync across platforms.

Access iCloud Keychain passwords inside Chrome on Windows and Mac.
Save new Chrome passwords back to iCloud Keychain automatically.
Offers automated saved-password suggestions once installed.
Designed for people who switch between Windows and Apple devices, or between Chrome and Safari.

Who benefits and how it was spotted

This is a much-needed addition for anyone who uses both Windows and Apple hardware as daily drivers, or who moves between Chrome and Safari. Your passwords can now be reached on an iPhone and a Windows computer alike, and they stay synced whenever you create new ones. The extension is only useful if you already use iCloud Keychain as your password manager.

The iCloud Passwords extension was first spotted last week, when it was referenced in the latest version of the iCloud for Windows 10 app. It is made by Apple and is available for download on the Chrome Web Store.

In December last year, Apple introduced iCloud Family Sharing for its users. Announced at WWDC 2020, the feature lets users share in-app purchases and subscriptions with family members, including Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+.

Once you subscribe to a family plan for any of these apps, added members automatically get access on their own devices and accounts. The option is only available for users running iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur.

What's your reaction?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the iCloud Passwords extension for Chrome?

It is an official Apple add-on on the Chrome Web Store that lets Windows and Mac users access and sync the passwords saved in their iCloud Keychain while browsing in Chrome. It also saves any new passwords you create in Chrome back to your iCloud Keychain so they are available on your Apple devices.

Does the iCloud Passwords extension work on Windows?

Yes. The extension is available for both the Windows and Mac versions of Chrome. It lets Windows users use the same Safari passwords created on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac when visiting websites in Chrome, making it easier to move between Windows and Apple devices.

Who should use the iCloud Passwords extension?

It is aimed at people who use both Windows and Apple devices as daily drivers, or who switch between the Chrome and Safari browsers. The extension is only useful for those who already rely on iCloud Keychain as their dedicated password manager, since it syncs credentials through Keychain.

Does the extension save new passwords I create in Chrome?

Yes. Apple says iCloud Passwords saves any new passwords you create in Chrome to your iCloud Keychain, so they are also available on your Apple devices. Once installed, it offers automated saved-password suggestions on Chrome for Windows and Mac.