How to add the Passwords app to your Mac's menu bar and get the most out of it

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If you are observant enough, or you like to keep track of all your accounts, including their security, you will surely have used the function of Apple Passwords. Well, with the latest version of iOS and macOS, you are looking for further implement the use of this mechanismThey have gone from having it in a configuration section to being an independent application. Today we'll see How to add the Passwords app to your Mac's menu bar and get the most out of it.

If you are one of those people who has a Mac and has never paid attention to this feature, you should keep reading this article. Today we are going to show you the reasons why you need to implement this feature on your computer, and how to add it to the menu bar for quick access. Plus, we'll show you some tips to get the most out of it.

What is Passwords?

The Passwords app is an Apple feature that Save the passwords for all your accounts. It does not matter el account type that sea, you can go from a video game you recently signed up for, to your social media passwords. Thanks to this app, you can now find them all in one place and check them whenever you want, or edit them.

Furthermore, It not only serves the purpose of storing all your passwords, but also your two-step verification keys or passkeys.. Also some groups that you have created to share certain keys with any contact you wish.

The app itself will inform you via security alerts if any of your passwords have been leaked or duplicated, so you can change them.

Apple-Passwords-UI

How to add the Passwords app to your Mac's menu bar?

Until the release of the latest version of iOS and MacOS, We could only access passwords from the Settings app on our MacIt's clear that Apple was failing to get the most out of this feature, so the company has worked on it; and with macOS Sequoia, they have brought this mechanism as a standalone App.

Next, we will see the steps to add this app to the Mac menu bar.

1. The first thing we are going to do is Go to the Passwords app on your Mac. If you don't realize de What is this app, you can identify it by an icon of three colored keys (yellow, green and blue).

2. Once you find the application, you must open it, and within it, look for the section of setting.

3. Within the app settings, you will find numerous sections to interact and modify some aspects. However, you only have to find and activate the option of Show Passwords in the menu bar.

Once this is done, you will see that A mini version of the application is displayed in the menu bar of our Mac. If we go to this application, from the menu bar we will have quick access to it, If we want to add a new password, we hover over it and a “+” icon will appear..

What functions does the Passwords app have on our Mac?

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Within the application, you will find a total of six different sections, among which your passwords are distributedAnd right at the end, you will see a seventh section to save shared groups.

  • All : It is a Complete list of all passwords that have been saved in your account. Whether passwords saved personally by you or those that have been shared with you.
  • access keys: are the so-called passkeys, which allow you to log in to your accounts in an easier and faster way, such as with the biometrics of your mobile device. With passkeys, you don't need to enter your passwords twice.
  • Códigos: This section is a list with each of the two-step verification codes. Every time you configure this option on a website, the code for that website will appear in this section of the application.
  • Wi-Fi: In this section, we will find each of the Wi-Fi network passwords that we have been saving on our device over time.
  • Security: This is a section dedicated to collecting all the passwords that present a security alert. This way, you can take into account Which of your passwords have been leaked, which ones are easy to guess, and which ones you use on dangerous sites.
  • Eliminated: in this section you will find A trash can that stores all the passwords you've deleted in the last thirty daysThis way, if you delete a password you shouldn't have, or if you regret deleting one, you can recover it without any problem.
  • Shared groups: Here, you can create different groups to share passwords with other users, such as your contacts. Each user you send a password to will have it appear in their Passwords app.

Tips to get the most out of the Passwords app on your Mac

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  1. configure the application: The first change to improve the experience with this application is Enable iCloud Sync, this allows you to access your keys from any of your devices. You must also Set a master password, to add an extra layer of security over your passwords.
  2. Always keep your keys: Get more out of the app, and when you enter a website or register in another app, use the author functionrfill in the credentialsWith this feature, you will save yourself from searchingr keys that fit the security algorithm. In addition, always Keep your passwords organized by categories, to make it easier to find them.
  3. Manage all your passwords: Every so often, you should Change your passwords on purpose, to maintain a better margin of securityAlso, identify the keys you don't need and delete them, so they don't accumulate.
  4. Use notes in passwords: The application itself has the function to associate notes with your keys. This is important, especially if you are a busy-minded person, so You will know why you used that password, by writing a little note.
  5. Always be alert: Remember to activate notifications, so that the system notifies you of the different updates. And keep in mind that Passwords are personal, so you should not share them with anyone.. Also, you should not use the same password twice, think of another one or use the author'srfilled.

And that was it, let me know in the comments What do you think of this? new implementation by Apple.