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One of the most unsung features of iOS8 is right underneath your finger.
Apple’s new mobile operating system lets third-party apps access the Touch ID (fingerprint) feature in the iPhone5s, iPhone6, and iPhone 6Plus. So now, with the free iOS app 1Password and a bit of preparation, you can log in to an online account with just a quick scan of your fingerprint.
At least in theory. Though 1Password represents the holy grail for many people — the ability to both keep your passwords secure in an encrypted vault and bypass annoying log-ins by simply holding a finger on the home button — it’s not nearly as seamless as anyone would like it to be.
That’s because the 1Password app is currently compatible with very few mainstream apps. So few, in fact, that I can list them here: Etsy, TweetBot, and VSCO Cam (those, and a few indie ones).
We hope that, as 1Password attracts more fans, the developers of popular apps will make their products work with it. In the meantime, you can use 1Password to speed through logins on websites when you’re using your Safari browser. (1Password is also available as an app and a browser plugin for Mac, Windows, and Android.)
Before you take the dive, it’s important to understand the security implications of 1Password. The service doesn’t actually make sites like Amazon and Facebook lockable by fingerprint. Rather, 1Password uses your fingerprint to unlock its own vault, which holds your passwords to those other services. That means that you must use a super-secure password to secure your vault, and that you must continue to use complex and unique passwords for each individual service. Otherwise, your accounts remain susceptible to being hacked the old-fashioned way.
And keep in mind that the trade-off to security is convenience. Even with 1Password, each login takes about five taps on your phone. That’s probably less effort than manually typing in a password, but it’s still a drag. Albeit a very necessary drag.
Here’s how to use 1Password on your iPhone:
1. Download the iOS 8 app here.
2. When you open the app, it’ll ask you whether you’d like to sync with an existing 1Password account or start a new one. If you’re new to this app, select the latter. Tap Create new vault.
3. You’ll then be prompted to enter a Master Password, which is the one phrase that you’ll need to access all the other passwords you store. I know, I know: You’re probably already feeling password fatigue. But make a real effort here: Make it complex, long, and unique. Treat this one as the most important password you’ll have, because it will hold the key to all your other passwords. I’d recommend that you create a string of lower- and uppercase characters with a few symbols and numbers mixed in. Please don’t make it one of these.
4. Here’s the exciting part! You can enable your iPhone’s fingerprint scanner to unlock 1Password whenever you open the app. This way you don’t have to type in that super-difficult password you created just a few seconds ago every time you want to log in to something.
You can always adjust or expand these settings by heading to the app’s Settings section and navigating to Security →Touch ID.
5. Next comes a prompt to sign up for 1Password’s newsletter, but that’s not necessary. You’ll also be given a choice of whether you’d like to sync your data via iCloud (this may take a few seconds). If you use Dropbox or another cloud storage service, skip this step. You can always add those accounts later. When you’re ready to begin, tap Let’s go! (1Password’s exclamation point, not mine).
6. You’ll be brought to a Categories page. This is where you’ll be able to create and organize your many digital accounts, credit card information, and form fodder. To create your first one, tap the + button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
7. Whenever you want to enter a new piece of information into the vault, you must first categorize it. I’m guessing you’ll be using this tool primarily for log-ins, so let’s start there. Tap Login.
8. You’ll be asked to name the account and type in your username. Below that, there’ll be an auto-generated password.
The idea here being that if this is a brand-new account, you can automatically use this ultra-strong password to access it. Chances are, however, that you’ve already established log-in information for sites like Facebook and Amazon. It might be safer to change your password to a random string of letters and numbers, but that involves actually logging into the website in question and resetting that info. If you’d rather not do that right now, simply delete that section and type in your password for that service.
Below that, you’ll see a place to enter the name of the site this log-in works for. You can type something like “Amazon.com,” and 1Password will automatically generate the company’s symbol in the log-in profile.
Don’t celebrate just yet — you’re far from done. Next up, you’ll need to open up Safari and tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen.
Swipe left over the lowest tier of icons all in gray until you see the More icon. Tap it.
10. You’ll see a page titled Activities. At the very bottom of it, there’ll be an option to enable 1Password.
11. When you’re done, go back to the share options. The 1Password icon should now show up in your choices. If you don’t want it to be so hidden, then simply hold your finger on the app icon and drag it to the left.
Phew; now you’ll never have to do that again. Good riddance.
12. It’s time to go to a website you’d like to log in to. For this to work, you have to have first created a log-in profile for this site within the app, obviously.
Tap the Share button and select the 1Password icon.
The 1Password vault will show up. At this point, you can either enter your master password or hold your finger down on the home button for Touch ID.
13. 1Password will automatically analyze what website you’re on and generate the best log-in option. In this case, it automatically recognizes Amazon. Tap the name.
14. Your login information will load, and then you’ll have to tap whatever Sign In button the site provides.
And now you’re done. Well, sort of. You’ll need to create profiles for every other log-in or credit card you feel like having on hand. Needless to say, this is a project you might have to set aside some time for (or, for the advanced user, you can synchronize your mobile version of 1Password with the copy running on your Mac or PC).
It takes a while, but in the long run it’ll be worth it.
Follow Alyssa Bereznak on Twitter or email her here.
