Is It Safe to Use Google Password Manager in 2024?

Google Password Manager is a free password manager built into Chrome and other Google apps. In this full review, we’ll discuss how it works and its security features in detail.

If you live in the Google ecosystem for your online life, you may be wondering if the free Google Password Manager is safe enough to be your only password manager in 2024. Google Password Manager aims to simplify password management by offering password storage, generation, auto-fill, and security alerts. Still, the big question remains: Is this tool safe in today’s threat landscape?

In this 2024 review of Google Password Manager, I’ll discuss its features, benefits, and downsides. I’ll also help you decide if it meets your security needs and suggest alternatives if it doesn’t.

What is Google Password Manager?

Google Password Manager is a password manager that helps you manage, store, and auto-fill your passwords across websites and Google apps. Here’s a breakdown of the features:

Seamless Integration: As you’d expect from a Google product, the Password Manager is deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem. This means it works with the Chrome browser, Android OS, and Google Drive so that you can save and sync your passwords to your Google Account.

Cross-Device Access: You can access Google Password Manager on multiple devices. For example, if you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or computer, you can use the tool by signing into your Google account in Chrome. This cross-device functionality means your passwords are always at your fingertips, regardless of your device.

Other Browsers

Using Other Browsers: While Google Password Manager is designed for Chrome, it also works with other browsers like Safari, Edge, and Firefox. However, you’ll need to sign in with a passkey to access the passwords you’ve saved in these browsers. This adds an extra layer of security, so only authorized users can access your password vault.

Features

Password Storage: Google Password Manager stores your passwords securely so you can retrieve them when you need to. No more remembering multiple passwords for multiple accounts.

Auto-Fill: This feature allows you to log in to websites without typing in your credentials, saving time and convenience.

Password Generation: Google Password Manager can generate strong, unique passwords so you don’t use weak or duplicate passwords across sites.

Security Alerts: You will receive security alerts if any of your saved passwords are compromised so you can take action to protect your accounts.

How does it Work?

Google Password Manager works differently from many dedicated password managers. It’s focused on integration within the Google ecosystem.

Password Generation in Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager has a password generation feature to help you create strong, random passwords when signing up for new websites or apps. This is a fundamental security practice to protect your online accounts.

How to Use the Password Generation Feature?

Easy: Using the password generation feature is simple. When you’re on a sign-up page and get to the password field, just click on it. This will bring up a dropdown menu.

Suggest Strong Password: From the dropdown menu, select “Suggest Strong Password”. This will generate a strong, random password for you. If you want to see more options, just click “Suggest Strong Password” to generate more.

Save Password: Once you’ve chosen a password you like, a dialog box will appear saying Google Password Manager will save it. This means you won’t have to remember it; it will be stored securely for you to use later.

Why Use Google Password Manager for Password Generation?

Security: By generating strong, random passwords, Google Password Manager helps you avoid weak or easily guessable passwords. This is critical in today’s world, where cyber threats are everywhere.

Convenience: Generating and saving passwords in the sign-up process makes account creation faster and easier. You don’t have to think of a secure password yourself.

Consistency across accounts: Using Google Password Manager to generate passwords means you’ll have the same level of security across all your accounts. Especially if you have multiple accounts on multiple platforms.

Auto-Fill in Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager has an auto-fill feature that makes logging in easier for you. This feature lets you access your saved passwords and usernames when visiting websites or opening apps synced to your Google account.

How Auto-fill Works?

Auto-Fill: When you visit a website or open an app where you have saved credentials, Google Password Manager will automatically detect the login fields and prompt you to auto-fill your saved username and password.

Confirmation: In some cases, you’ll be asked to confirm the auto-filled credentials before you proceed. This extra step ensures you’re aware of the information being entered and adds an additional layer of security to the auto-fill process.

Multiple Accounts: If you have multiple accounts saved for the same website or app, Google Password Manager will show you a list of the accounts you saved. You can select the account you want to log in to, which is helpful if you have multiple accounts across different platforms.

Why Auto-fill is Useful?

Time Saver: Auto-fill saves you time and effort when logging in to your accounts. Instead of typing your credentials yourself, you can log in with just a few clicks.

Security: By using Google Password Manager to auto-fill your passwords, you minimize the chance of typing errors that can lead to account lockouts or security vulnerabilities. The confirmation prompt also makes sure you enter the correct credentials.

Consistency across devices: Since auto-fill is synced to your Google account, you’ll have the same login experience across all devices you’re signed into. Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, your saved credentials are available.

Password Checkups and Notifications in Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager has a feature called Password Checkup that helps secure your online accounts. This tool monitors your saved passwords and notifies you to help you stay secure.

How does Password Checkup Work?

Database comparison: Password Checkup compares your saved passwords to databases of known security breaches. If any of your passwords have been compromised due to a data leak, Google will notify you so you can take action.

Weak and reused password alerts: In addition to alerting you about compromised passwords, the tool also alerts you if any of your passwords are weak or reused across multiple accounts. Reusing passwords can make you more vulnerable to attacks, and Google wants to help you avoid this common mistake.

Strong Password Recommendations

Improvement guidance: When Password Checkup finds weak or compromised passwords, it will recommend creating stronger ones. This guidance might include tips on longer passwords, special characters, and avoiding easily guessable information.

Promoting good habits: By giving these recommendations, Google Password Manager helps users follow good password security practices. This proactive approach keeps users one step ahead of threats and makes their accounts more secure.

Import and Export in Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager lets you import and export your passwords, allowing you to manage your credentials across different platforms. This is useful for users who have moved from other password managers or who want to back up their passwords.

Importing

Supported file format: When importing into Google Password Manager, you can only use the .csv file format. So, if you’re coming from another password manager, you’ll need to ensure your exported passwords are in this format.

Maximum import: During testing, I found that you can only import 3,000 passwords at a time. If you have more than this, you’ll need to split your passwords into multiple .csv files and import them separately. This can be a bit of a pain, but it’s better than importing a vast list all at once if you have a lot of passwords to manage.

Exporting

Backup your credentials: Google Password Manager also lets you export your saved passwords. This is useful for users who want to back up their credentials or transfer them to another password manager.

Export: The export process is easy. You can find the export option in the Chrome settings of Google Password Manager. It will generate a .csv file with all your saved passwords. You can then store this file securely or import it into another password manager if needed.

On-device Encryption in Google Password Manager

On-device encryption is a security feature implemented by Google in Password Manager. This means your passwords are encrypted on your device before they are stored, so you have an extra layer of security for your sensitive data.

How does On-device Encryption Work?

Local encryption: With on-device encryption, your passwords are encrypted using your device’s hardware and software. This means encryption happens locally, so your passwords are not sent to Google’s servers.

User control: This means only you have access to your passwords. Since the encryption keys are stored on your device, you have more control over your data, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your credentials.

Encryption Key Importance

Key management: While on-device encryption is more secure, it also entrusts the user with the responsibility of managing the encryption key. If you enable this feature, you must ensure that you keep track of the encryption key.

Risk of losing access: One downside is that if you lose the encryption key, you’ll lose access to your passwords altogether. This can be a big problem for users who don’t have a backup or recovery method. Make sure to take precautions, like storing the key securely or using a reliable backup solution.

How do I Access Google Password Manager in Chrome?

Accessing Google Password Manager in Chrome is easy and lets you manage your saved passwords. Follow these steps:

Sign in to your Google Account

Open Chrome: Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer or device.

Sign in: Make sure you are signed in to your Google account. If you’re not signed in, click on the profile icon at the top right corner to sign in.

Go to Settings

Access the menu: Once signed in, click on the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the Chrome window.

Open Settings: From the dropdown menu, select Settings. This will take you to the Settings page, where you can change various Chrome settings.

Find Google Password Manager

Find Password Manager: In the Settings menu, scroll down until you see the Autofill section. Click on Passwords to access Google Password Manager.

Open Password Manager: You can also directly click on Google Password Manager if it’s listed as a separate option in your settings.

Explore Password Manager

View saved passwords: The Password Manager tab displays a list of your saved passwords. You can click on any of them to view their details, including the username and password.

Run Password Health Checkups: Google Password Manager lets you run health checkups on your passwords. This will alert you to weak, reused, or compromised passwords so you can practice good security habits.

Import and Export: The Password Manager also offers options for exporting and importing passwords. This is useful for backing up your credentials or switching from another password manager.

What are the Downsides of Google Password Manager?

While Google Password Manager has some great features like password generation, password checkup, and seamless integration within the Google ecosystem, it’s not for everyone. Here are the downsides based on my testing:

1. Unclear Security Encryption in Google Password Manager

Lack of Clear Encryption Information

One of the biggest concerns with Google Password Manager is the lack of information about its encryption. While the tool has several features to improve password security, the details of its encryption are not explained to the user. Here are the points to consider:

Not Enough Information about Encryption

Limited transparency: Google doesn’t provide detailed information about the encryption algorithms and methods used to protect passwords. This lack of clarity leaves users unsure how their sensitive data is being protected.

User trust: For many users, understanding the security measures in place is critical to trusting a password manager. Without details on encryption practices, users may feel uneasy about their data.

Closed Source Code

No open source verification: The code for Google Password Manager is not open source, so independent security experts can’t review or verify the security measures Google implements. This lack of external scrutiny raises questions about the platform’s encryption and overall security.

Vulnerabilities: Without the ability to audit the code, vulnerabilities could exist and go unknown. Users may wonder if their passwords are protected against threats.

2. Only Works with Chrome

Google Password Manager is designed to work seamlessly with the Google Chrome browser across all platforms and is built into every Android app. While this is convenient for users within the Google ecosystem, it’s a problem for those who use other web browsers. Here are the points to consider:

Limited Compatibility

If you use a different web browser, such as Safari, Edge, or Firefox, you may have trouble accessing your Google saved passwords. Google Password Manager is not as robust outside of Chrome, which can be annoying for users who switch between browsers.

Sign-in required: To use your Google saved passwords on non-Chrome browsers, you need to sign in with your passkey. This extra step can be a pain and may discourage users from using the password manager across different platforms.

User Experience Implications

Inconvenience for multi-browser users: For users who switch between browsers frequently, reliance on Chrome for full functionality can be a hassle. This will lead to a fragmented experience, as users may have to remember passwords manually or use other methods to access their credentials.

Frustration: On other browsers, the need to sign in with a passkey adds extra friction to the user experience. Users who are used to password managers being seamless in other tools will find this less user-friendly.

3. Weak Two-factor Authentication in Google Password Manager

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that requires a second form of verification in addition to your password. Google uses 2FA when you log in to your account from a new device, but its implementation is weak when it comes to accessing saved passwords. Here are the points to consider:

2FA Implementation

Identity confirmation: When you log in to your Google account from a new device, Google will ask you to verify your identity through 2FA. This usually involves receiving a code via SMS, email, or through the Google Authenticator app, adding an extra layer of security to your account.

Limited password access: Once you’re logged in to your Google account, 2FA is not required to access your saved passwords in Google Password Manager, which is a considerable security risk.

Security Risks

Account compromise: If an attacker gets your Google account login details – whether through phishing, data breaches, or other means – they can access your saved passwords without having to go through a second layer of authentication. This is a significant vulnerability as your sensitive data is at risk.

Unauthorized access: The lack of 2FA when accessing saved passwords means even if you have 2FA enabled for account logins, your passwords are exposed once the initial login is compromised. This can lead to access to other accounts linked to your saved credentials.

User Security Implications

More security required: The 2FA implementation in Google Password Manager shows that more security is needed. Users would feel more secure if there was an extra verification step before accessing sensitive data like passwords.

User awareness: Users need to be aware of this limitation and take proactive steps to secure their accounts. This may include using strong, unique passwords, enabling 2FA for all accounts, and monitoring account activity for any suspicious behavior.

4. Missing Some Advanced Features in Google Password Manager

Google Password Manager has the basic features for password management but is missing some advanced features found in dedicated password managers like NordPass and 1Password.

Limited Email Privacy Options

Hide-My-Email Aliases: Google Password Manager doesn’t allow you to create hide-my-email aliases. This feature, available in other password managers, enables you to generate unique email addresses for different accounts, making you more private and reducing spam. Since this feature is missing, you’ll have to use your primary email addresses, which can expose you to unwanted communications.

No Encrypted Vault

No Encrypted Vault: Many dedicated password managers have encrypted vaults to store sensitive data beyond passwords, such as secure notes, credit card details, and personal documents. Google Password Manager doesn’t have this feature, so you can only store passwords without the added security of an encrypted vault for other sensitive data.

Can’t Share Passwords Securely

Password sharing limitations: Google Password Manager doesn’t have a secure way to share passwords with others outside the Google ecosystem. Other password managers allow you to share credentials securely with trusted contacts, making collaboration more accessible and safer. This is a big limitation for users who need to share access to accounts.

What do Reddit Users Say about Google Password Manager?

To get real user opinions on Google Password Manager, I checked various Reddit communities. Here’s a summary of the discussions and comments:

General opinion on using Google Password Manager

Better than no password manager: Some Reddit users in the Yubikey community think using Google Password Manager is better than not using any password manager at all. They say while it’s not as secure as 1Password and Bitwarden, it’s more secure than memory or weak passwords.

Security Concerns

Password and credentials safety: Some users raised concerns about their passwords and credentials. For example, a user in a cybersecurity community asked: “I’ve been thinking of using a password manager, but from my limited understanding, it seems like that’s a single point of failure. How are these passwords stored? If someone gets access to my Google account, would they suddenly have access to all the services I use with credentials stored in the password manager?”

Single point of failure: This is a common concern among users about password managers. The single point of failure resonates with many as it highlights the importance of securing the primary account with access to all the stored credentials.

Community Responses and Recommendations

Access risks: In response to the cybersecurity user’s question, some Redditors said that if an attacker gets access to your Google account, they can access all the saved passwords in Google Password Manager. This acknowledges the risk and emphasizes the importance of securing your Google account with strong passwords and additional security measures.

Recommendations for more security: Other users recommended using a dedicated password manager with a smaller attack surface and more features. They said if you’re going to use Google Password Manager, then enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to your account. This is a proactive approach to security while using the tool.

Is a Dedicated Password Manager Worth it in 2024?

In 2024, the question of whether to use a dedicated password manager or a primary option like Google Password Manager will be more relevant. Google Password Manager has password generation, auto-fill, and password checkup but falls short in many areas compared to dedicated password management solutions. Here’s a breakdown of the considerations.

Basic vs Advanced

Basic features: Google Password Manager has basic password management features, which might be enough for casual users. However, it lacks many advanced features that dedicated password managers have, like zero-knowledge encryption, where only you can access your passwords.

Advanced features: Dedicated password managers have features like cross-platform compatibility, travel mode (which allows you to temporarily disable certain passwords while traveling), and secure password sharing and inheritance options. These features are for users who need higher security and flexibility in managing their credentials.

Security in Today’s World

Cyber threats: The online world is filled with cyber threats, and security is more important than ever. Dedicated password managers are designed to address these threats with advanced security protocols and features beyond basic password management.

Enterprise needs: Larger enterprises can significantly benefit from dedicated password managers. These solutions often have customization options for business needs, a separate company focus, and better customer support systems. This level of service is critical for companies that handle sensitive data and need more security.

Which Password Manager to Choose?

Assess your needs: Your choice of password manager ultimately depends on your online security needs. If you’re an individual looking for essential protection for personal accounts, Google Password Manager might be an option, especially since it’s free and integrates well with the Google ecosystem.

For enterprises: However, investing in a dedicated password manager is recommended for larger enterprises or users with more complex security needs. These solutions’ advanced features and extra security measures can reduce risks and protect sensitive data.