What you should know
- The Google Password Manager is a tool on Android devices that stores passwords and assists users in creating strong passwords. It also supports passkeys, which Google promotes as being quicker and more secure than passwords.
- Previously, accessing Google Password Manager was somewhat difficult as it was buried deep within Android Settings. However, a new shortcut has been discovered on some Pixel phones, which saves users time and energy when trying to open the Google Password Manager.
- By using the Google Search bar on the Pixel Launcher, users can quickly find and access the Google Password Manager. However, this feature has not yet been rolled out to all Pixel models, suggesting that it may be slowly introduced or is part of Google’s A/B testing.
- Another quick way to access the Google Password Manager is by tapping the microphone icon on the Google Search bar and saying “password manager.” This opens the Password Manager page immediately, although users may prefer to type in “password manager” in the search field for privacy reasons.
Full Story
Google Password Manager is a handy tool on Android devices. It stores passwords and even assists users in creating strong ones. It also supports passkeys, which Google touts as quicker and more secure than passwords. But there’s a catch. Google has tucked the Password Manager deep inside Android Settings.
To access the Password Manager, you have to navigate through Settings > Google > Autofill > Autofill with Google > Google Password Manager. It’s a bit of a maze. Android Police, however, discovered a new shortcut for Google Password Manager on some Pixel phones. This shortcut saves users time and energy when trying to access the Password Manager.
Android Police used a Pixel 8 Pro for their experiment. They used the Google Search bar on the Pixel Launcher to find the Google Password Manager. Interestingly, even before they completed typing the word ‘password’, a link to the Password Manager popped up. It nestled between the icon for installed apps that matched the search terms and suggestions based on autocomplete.
Tapping on the link takes you straight to the Google Password Manager. But here’s the thing. This shortcut hasn’t hit my Pixel 6 Pro running the latest Android 14 QPR2 beta yet. Other Pixel units also didn’t have this shortcut. This leads to speculation that Google is slowly rolling out the feature or it’s part of one of the company’s “legendary” A/B tests.
In the meantime, if the directions in the first paragraph seem too much, there’s an even better solution. From the Google Search bar on your Pixel’s home screen, tap the microphone icon and say “password manager.” The Password Manager page opens up immediately. It just asks for your fingerprint to open any of the listings on the page.
But here’s a twist. If you use the same search field and type in “password manager,” the page doesn’t open up immediately. Instead, it opens up the search results with Google Password Manager at the top. Click the link, and voila, you’re in. This method might be more suitable if you’re in a crowd and fear your phone might be targeted if someone hears you opening your password manager.
But if you’re comfortable with your surroundings, using the microphone icon on the Google Search bar and saying “password manager” is probably the quickest way to get to the Google Password Manager. It might even be handier than the shortcut that Google hasn’t yet rolled out to all Pixel models.
