In today's digital world, where most services require authorization, families are increasingly faced with the question of how to conveniently and securely share passwords for shared access to accounts. Apple and Google have offered a convenient solution - creating family groups in built-in password managers.
This is reported by the British publication The Sun.
What are family password groups?
The idea is simple: instead of manually retyping passwords or sending them across messengers, you can create a special group in your password manager and share access to selected accounts. This can be especially handy for family access to Netflix, a joint bank account, or food delivery accounts.
How it works at Apple
Apple implemented this feature in iOS 17, and with the iOS 18 update, the possibilities have become even wider. On an iPhone, you need:
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Update the system to iOS 18 (Settings → General → Software Update).
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Open the Passwords app (icon with three keys).
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Create a new group, name it, add family members.
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Move the selected passwords to a special Shared Group folder.
Group members will only see the passwords they have been given. If the owner changes the password, it will automatically be updated for other group members. Access can be revoked or individual logins can be deleted at any time.
What Google offers
Google Password Manager (on Android or via Chrome) also has a sharing feature. The user can:
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Go to Google Password Manager.
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Create a family group.
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Choose which passwords to share.
Google Manager automatically generates complex passwords, reports data leaks, and warns about duplicate logins.
Why is this needed?
This feature is not only about convenience, but also about security. It allows you to avoid the risk of transmitting passwords through insecure channels and helps you maintain control over who has access to your accounts. In addition, with this option, you don't have to constantly remember new passwords - everything is synchronized automatically.
