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How to use Google Password Manager, (reliably)

How to use Google Password Manager, (reliably)

By: Ryan Duer

Posted on  - Last updated:

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Whether you’re a parent trying to organize and manage your kids school work spaces, or used to saving passwords the old fashioned way you probably need a little help keeping your passwords safe and secure so you don’t have to remember all of them! It’s time you learned how to use google password manager.

We’ve all been there, there is some task or nagging online errand we have to get done quickly. We pop open our browser, find the right website, and try to log in with the password we think will work. But, it doesn’t. You either spend a bunch of time trying to figure out if you spelled it wrong the first time, or if you’re using the wrong email and end up either locked out or having to reset your password again. Then you have to pick something that’s at least 8 characters, AND uses symbols, AND a capital, AND a number. But don’t forget, it can’t be similar to your last password either! That last one is never fun, because how are you supposed to remember which password works for this site?

Well, turns out Google Password Manager is probably the best tool for you. It’s really easy to set up and start using, but having a good visual walk through is important for anyone who is unfamiliar or has difficulty with this feature. Even a handy feature like Google Password Manager, can offer its own frustrations if you haven’t learned how to navigate its settings.

Worried about safety and security?

Not sure if you trust Google with your passwords? Well, while I totally hear you, saving passwords in a written down notebook or using passwords that you can easily remember are simply not secure. Hackers or other criminals find an easier time gaining access to you than they do the kind of encryption and security Google is using. Not only is the Google Password manager a safer tool to use, Google also offers a range of options for securing all of your devices online. I highly recommend learning more about Two Factor Authentication, if security is a big concern for you.

In the below How To, I walk you through step by step the main features of this handy little tool.

How To Use Google's Password Saver Reliably

How To Use Google's Password Saver Reliably

Start saving your passwords easily and reliably with this visual guide, which walks you through using Google Password Manager in a natural everyday manner. If you're looking for a solution to the headache that is losing or forgetting passwords online this How To is for you.

Materials

  • Google Chrome Browser
  • Internet Access
  • Google Account (aka a Gmail account)

Instructions


How to turn on Google Password Manager

Ensure that you have Auto Sign In and Offer to Save Passwords turned on.

  1. Open up your Google Chrome Browser
  2. Make sure that you are logged into your gmail account before beginning.
  3. In the upper right hand side of the Google Chrome Browser window, click the 3 horizontal dots button
  4. Select Settings
  5. Scroll down to the Autofill menu and Select Passwords
  6. Ensure that both Offer to Save Passwords and Auto Sign In are enabled


View of the Settings, Passwords page in the Google Chrome settings. One arrow points to the browser address bar which reads 'settings/passwords' the second arrow points to the 'Offer to save passwords' checkbox with the checkbox enabled

How to use the Suggested Strong Password when Creating a Login


Go to a login screen, I chose Facebook as a good test screen


Now let's test out creating a Suggested Password:

  1. To Create a Login and Save a Password for a site, first go to a login screen. You can try facebook.com or any site you aren't already logged into.
  2. Enter a username or email
  3. Right Click the Password form field

View of the Facebook login page with 1 arrow pointed at the username and the 2nd pointed at the password field. The password field has a dropdown menu with 'Suggest Password' highlighted

Use the Suggested Password

  1. Select Suggest Strong Password from the dropdown menu
  2. Then continue to create your account, or click the login button

View of the facebook sign in screen. An arrow points at the dropdown menu underneath the password field with the 'Use suggested password' option. Outlined, is text that reads 'Google will save in your Google account.You won't have to remember it.

How to Check if the Password Saved

  1. At the top of the browser in the Web Address Bar you should see a small Key Icon
    When you click this button you will see all of the saved user logins for a particular site. You may have multiple logins on sites like Facebook.
  2. Click this and then Select Google Account or Manage Passwords if available.

View of the facebook login screen. In the browser address bar is a key icon which is highlighted. and an arrow is pointing at the dialog box which says Pasword Saved, view and manage saved passwords in your Google Account. Google account is linked text.

Search for the website domain name (like facebook.com)


All of your saved passwords are listed on this page. If you have a lot of saved passwords, it's best to use the search bar and search for the domain name of the site so that you can find, and edit the password and credentials you are looking for.

View of the Google Account, Password Manager page with an arrow pointing at the Search Passwords search box

How to Copy, View, Edit, or Delete your password and username


From here, you can use the Copy icon to copy to username or password.

The Edit button to save a newer password and username for an existing site.

Or the Delete/Remove option to remove the login entirely.

The image below is of the Menu if you clicked the Google Account link. If your menu looks different, do not fret, the same icons will work the same way. If yours took you back to the Manage Passwords view:

  1. Select the three dots next to the login
  2. Here you can Copy the password or Remove the login credentials
  3. Select Details
    Here you can edit your credentials

View of the Google account page under the newly created facebook login. One arrow points to the hide/show password icon, two other arrows points to the copy text icon, and the third arrow points to the Edit and Delete buttons



How To Update a password easily after you've changed it

Once you have changed your password for a site, you will need to ensure it's been updated with Google Manager.

If you have just logged into the site with your updated password, Google Password Manager makes it really easy by popping open a little window in the upper right hand side of the window. It will show the username and password field for this site and ask if you want to update the password.

The trick to using this tool successfully is to only click the Update Password button once you have successfully logged in, otherwise you will end up with a faulty password being saved.

If you accidentally clicked out of the update password box, it's not a problem, you can still navigate to the Google Password Manager menu:

  1. Open a new tab
  2. Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the Chrome Browser window.
  3. Select Settings from the dropdown list
  4. Scroll under Autofill to the Password Manager and select it.
  5. From here you can follow the guides above within the 'How to check if a password saved' section.

Notes

The trick to using any new feature or product, is being patient. Being patient with computers, software, and yourself will make learning new tech skills, and saving time online easier. Plus it tends to stick better too. So, take your time, you got this!

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Project Type: Productivity / Category: Tech Support for Parents

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