As we use more and more apps, websites, and online services, keeping up with our passwords becomes quite a task. While most browsers offer to save your login credentials for you, it’s not always the most secure option. Also, what do you do when you need to log in to the same account on a different device or clear the caches on your phone? Fear not, we have the solutions for you. We will now walk you through how to check internet passwords on a mobile device and make your life easier.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Checking Internet Passwords on Mobile Devices
Passwords are the first defense for your online accounts and protecting them is a must. However, the struggle of managing an ever-increasing number of accounts and their passwords can be overwhelming. It’s especially challenging to remember passwords for accounts or services you don’t regularly visit. While there are password manager apps and browsers that can save login credentials, a more secure way is to use unique and random passwords to avoid password hacks. This makes it important to know how to retrieve the stored passwords on your mobile device.
In this article, we will teach you how to check internet passwords on mobile devices.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before diving into the ‘how-to’, there are a few things you need to prepare to ensure a smooth experience while checking your internet passwords on your mobile device. They include:
- Your mobile device, whether iOS or Android
- Your login credentials for the website/apps you want to check passwords for
- Access to your phone settings
Method 1: Check Passwords on iPhone using iCloud Keychain
If you utilize iOS devices, you have iCloud Keychain that can save your passwords automatically for easy logins. Here’s how to retrieve your saved passwords on an iPhone:
1. Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone
2. Tap on your ‘Apple ID’ profile at the top of the screen
3. Scroll down to ‘iCloud’ and tap on it
4. Select ‘Keychain’ and then toggle ‘Keychain’ to ‘On’ if it’s not already enabled
5. If Two-Factor Authentication is enabled, enter the code sent to your phone number or Apple ID
6. Once Keychain is enabled, go back to the ‘Settings’ screen and select ‘Passwords & Accounts’
7. Tap ‘Website & App Passwords’
8. You will be prompted to use Touch ID, enter your passcode, or use Face ID if it’s available for authentication purposes
9. After authentication, you will see a list of all accounts that have saved login credentials on your iPhone
10. Tap on any of the websites or apps to reveal the username and password.
Pros:
- You do not need an external app for storing credentials
- Quick and easy option with pre-installed iCloud Keychain for iOS devices
Cons:
- Not available for non-iOS device users
- Less secure than third-party password-manager apps
Method 2: Check Passwords on Android using Google Password Manager
Android users have a similar feature to iCloud keychain on iOS devices, which is the Google password manager. Here’s how to check saved passwords on an Android device:
1. Go to ‘Settings’ on your Android device
2. Find and tap on ‘Google’ option
3. Select ‘Manage your Google Account’
4. At the top of the page, tap on ‘Security’
5. Tap on ‘Password’
6. You will be prompted to verify your identity with your device’s unlocking method
7. Once you verify your identity, you will see your list of saved passwords
8. Once inside, tap on any of the accounts to reveal the username and password.
Pros:
- You don’t need to install a separate app, as Google Password Manager comes pre-installed
- Quick and easy to check passwords using Google account information
Cons:
- Not available for non-Android device users
- Less secure than third-party password-manager apps
Method 3: Check Passwords on Mobile Devices using Third-Party Password-Manager Apps
The third and most secure way to check your internet passwords on a mobile device is to use third-party password-manager apps. These apps encrypt and store your login credentials, ensuring they are safe and secure. There is a wide range of apps to choose from, including LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password. Here’s how to check your saved passwords using these apps:
1. Download and install your preferred password-manager app from your App Store or Google Play Store
2. Sign in or create an account if you don’t have one yet
3. Enter your login credentials for the websites or apps you want to save
4. Once you save your credentials, you can easily retrieve them from the app on your mobile device.
Pros:
- The most secure way to store and retrieve your login credentials
- Available on both iOS and Android devices
Cons:
- You need to download a third-party app which may cost you some money or comes with limited features for free
- You need to remember another password to access your password-manager app
Why Can’t I See My Saved Passwords?
Sometimes you may not find your saved passwords on your mobile device. Here are some reasons why and what you can do to fix it:
1. You Have Not Enabled Password Saving:
To enable password saving:
1. Open your browser
2. Tap on the three dots at the top-right corner
3. Select ‘Settings’
4. Choose ‘Passwords’
5. Turn on ‘Save Passwords.’
2. You Cleared Your Browser Cache and Data:
Clearing your cache and data can remove your stored passwords:
1. Open your browser
2. Tap on the three dots at the top-right corner
3. Choose ‘Settings’
4. Select ‘Privacy and Security’
5. Choose ‘Clear Browsing Data.’
6. Check the ‘Saved Passwords’ box and select ‘Clear Data.’
3. You Are Not Logging in with the Same Account:
Make sure you are logging in with the same account that you used to save the password.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you manage your password and login to your accounts safely and easily:
- Use multiple and unique passwords for each account
- Never share your password with anyone
- Use a password generator for more secure passwords
- Avoid storing your passwords in plain text or insecure locations
- Use two-factor authentication for increased account security
5 FAQs About Checking Internet Passwords on Mobile Devices
Q1: Is it safe to check internet passwords on mobile devices?
A: Checking internet passwords on mobile devices is safe if you use secure methods like third-party manager apps or iCloud Keychain, or Google Password Manager. Make sure you don’t share your passwords with others or store them in plain text.
Q2: Can a hacker steal my saved passwords from my mobile device?
A: If you use secure password-manager apps like LastPass or Dashlane, your passwords are encrypted, which makes it hard for hackers to steal them. Always make sure you’re downloading apps from reliable sources and not sharing sensitive information with untrusted apps or sites.
Q3: How can I retrieve my saved passwords if I forget my password-manager app password?
A: Retrieve your password by requesting a reset link or reset it using biometric authentication, if enabled.
Q4: Can I use the same password for all my accounts?
A: It’s not recommended to use the same password for all your accounts. This makes it easy for hackers to access all your accounts once they learn one password.
Q5: What should I do if I think someone else has access to my passwords?
A: Reset your passwords immediately. You can also find information on ways to report any suspicious activity to your service provider.
In Conclusion
Retrieving passwords on mobile devices doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re using iOS or Android devices, or looking for a secure way to manage your passwords with third-party password-manager apps, there’s an option to suit your needs. But always make sure to use secure and reliable apps and take extra precautions to protect your online accounts. Follow the tips we’ve outlined and remember to practice safe password management to keep your online identity secure.