Many people use online Password storage programs to keep all the various passwords in one place. Some might like it but others have found the companies running the program get compromised and all their passwords get hacked. I have come up with a simpler solution that is passed on to customers that works quite well in most situations. 

Store all your passwords in an Apple Note. You might say, that’s not secure, but hey, here’s the solution. You password protect that note and no one can see your stored passwords without knowing the Note password.

Here’s a screenshot of a notes program that has a note called Pass*. It’s called that for security reasons, duh, who would name a note Passwords even if it’s locked. Notice the file has a padlock on it and that means to see it you need to use the password. Note: you can also enter the password on newer devices just by using Face or Touch ID. That makes seeing those passwords easier than before. 

To start, open a new note, then gather all your passwords, like banks, sites, computers, and anything else where a password is required. Cool thing, if you have them all written down on a sheet of paper, you can even skip typing them all into the new note, but just insert the picture of the passwords into the note. And add more as they’re needed. 

Next comes setting up Passwords in notes. He’s to the Settings menu and open this screen.

The part we’re interested in is at the bottom, Locked notes. There are options to set a password, or just use your Apple password. Apple password is not recommended. Set a different password not used anywhere else. And that password can be super simple and easy, like just a couple characters like your initials, dog’s name, or even a date. But stay away from things like 123, and password, and leaving it blank because those are what hackers might try. 

Use Custom password as described and type it into the settings window. You’ll be asked to enter a password after changing the option from Login password to Custom. Then the screen changes to Change or Reset password. 

Next thing, you gotta Lock the note containing passwords. In recent versions of Notes it works the same way, if your version is older it might be a little different. 

Open the note you want to lock. Now head up top to the menu bar and look for the padlock. Choose that and Lock the note. There you go. No one can see your passwords except you and anyone with the password. 

The program also has added features like how long it’s locked, and whether it’s stored in iCloud. Yes, do it. Auto lock the note when not using it, and definitely store Notes in iCloud. That way the password is available not only on your current device, but all others you use. Very helpful across many situations.

The tip gets deeper but we’ll just leave it at this for now. 

Denver Mac