Google Password Manager rolled out on-device encryption, a new service for Android users who always forget their passwords.
The new feature will let only you see your passwords as the encryption key, used to access your passwords, will be safely stored in your Google Account.
On-device encryption makes it so that “your passwords can only be unlocked on your device using your Google password or the screen lock for an eligible device,” like a fingerprint, PIN, etc. “No one besides you will be able to access your passwords” as Google no longer has the encryption key, which is now stored on your device in a secure way.
Google noted that on-device encryption cannot be removed once set up and can be enabled on multiple devices, thus doubling as a recovery option.
Meanwhile, accessing passwords on a new device just involves signing in (with secondary authentication) to your Google Account, while Sync must be enabled in Chrome.
The “Set up on-device encryption” process can be initiated from either the Chrome desktop/mobile browser or Password Manager (website or built-in Android experience). However, it’s not yet widely rolled out on the web and we’ve only encountered it in Chrome Beta (103, on Android).
Set up on-device encryption for your passwords on the Web/Android/iOS;
- Go to Settings app > Google > Manage your account > Security tab > Password Manager
- Click Settings
- Click Set up on-device encryption
Set up on-device encryption for your passwords on Chrome;
- In your Chrome browser, at the top right, select More (three-dot overflow menu) > Settings > Passwords > Set up on-device encryption.
