Honestly, we've all been there. You're trying to log into Disney+ on your smart TV, or maybe you're setting up a new laptop and realize you haven't typed your Instagram password in three years. You know it's saved somewhere in the digital abyss of your iPhone, but finding it used to be a scavenger hunt through the Settings menu.
If you’ve updated to the latest software, specifically iOS 18 or newer, things have changed quite a bit. Apple finally pulled passwords out of the "Settings junk drawer" and gave them a dedicated home. If you're wondering how to find passwords for apps on iPhone, the answer isn't just one single button anymore—it depends on how your phone is set up and which version of iOS you're running.
The big shift: The Passwords app
For years, we had to dig through Settings, scroll past "General" and "Display," and hunt for that little key icon. It was clunky. But now, Apple has introduced a standalone Passwords app. It’s bright, it’s colorful, and it looks a lot like the Reminders or Notes app.
Basically, if you can't find that password section in your Settings anymore, don't panic. It hasn't vanished. It just moved house. You’ll find the app on your home screen (it looks like a blue-ish icon with a keyhole) or tucked away in your App Library.
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How to use the new Passwords app
- Find the icon on your home screen. If it’s missing, swipe down on the middle of your screen and type "Passwords" into the search bar.
- It’s going to ask for Face ID or your passcode immediately. This is good—you don't want just anyone snooping in there.
- Once you're in, you’ll see categories like All, Passkeys, and Wi-Fi.
- Tap on All to see every single login you’ve ever saved.
- Use the search bar at the top to find the specific app, like "Netflix" or "Work Email."
When you tap on an entry, the password will be hidden by dots. Just tap those dots, and the actual password reveals itself. You can also copy it directly from there if you need to paste it into a browser or another device.
Finding passwords for apps on iPhone if you’re on older iOS versions
Not everyone updates their phone the second a new notification pops up. I get it. If you are still rocking an older version of iOS (like iOS 17 or earlier), the dedicated app won't be there. You’ll have to do it the "old school" way.
Go to Settings, scroll down a bit, and you’ll see a section labeled Passwords. It’s usually right below the "General" and "App Store" sections but above "Mail." Once you tap that and authenticate with your face or fingerprint, you’re in. It works almost exactly like the new app, just without the fancy interface.
What's kinda cool is that even in this older view, Apple started flagging "Security Recommendations." If you see a little yellow warning triangle next to an app, it means you’ve used that same password in ten other places or it’s been leaked in a data breach. It’s worth a look while you’re in there.
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What about the passwords that aren't there?
This is the most frustrating part. You go to the app, search for "Hulu," and... nothing. This usually happens because you never actually told Safari or iOS to save the password in the first place.
Sometimes apps have their own internal "remember me" feature that doesn't sync with the iPhone's Keychain. Or, you might be using a third-party manager like 1Password or Dashlane. If you have one of those installed, your iPhone might be deferring to them. You can check this by going to Settings > Passwords > Password Options (or Autofill & Passwords in newer versions) to see which service is actually allowed to fill in your data.
Don't forget the "Sign in with Apple" factor
A lot of us started using "Sign in with Apple" because it's fast and keeps our real emails private. If you used this for an app, there technically isn't a traditional password to find. You just tap the button, Face ID does its thing, and you're in.
If you need to manage these specific "hidden" accounts:
- Open the Passwords app (or the Passwords section in Settings).
- Look for the section titled Sign in with Apple.
- This will show you exactly which apps are linked to your Apple ID and which "relay" email address they’re using to contact you.
Using Siri to skip the menus
If you're feeling lazy—or if your hands are full—Siri is actually surprisingly helpful for this. You can literally say, "Hey Siri, show me my Netflix password."
She won't read it out loud (thankfully, that would be a massive security risk), but she will jump you directly to that specific entry in the Passwords app after you authenticate with Face ID. It's a solid shortcut that most people forget exists.
Practical steps for better password management
Finding a password once is fine, but keeping them organized is a whole other beast. Here is what I’d suggest doing now that you know where they are:
- Clean house: If you see logins for apps you deleted three years ago, swipe left and hit delete. It keeps the list manageable.
- Check your Wi-Fi: The new Passwords app also stores Wi-Fi passwords. If a friend asks for your home internet password and you can't remember the string of 20 random characters on the back of the router, you can find it here and even show them a QR code to scan.
- Setup Shared Groups: If you and your spouse are constantly asking each other for the login to the electric bill or the shared Amazon account, you can create a "Shared Group" in the Passwords app. This lets you both access specific passwords without having to text them back and forth (which is super insecure, by the way).
To keep your digital life secure moving forward, make sure iCloud Keychain is turned on in your iCloud settings. This ensures that when you save a password on your iPhone, it’s waiting for you on your Mac or iPad later.
If you've followed these steps and still can't find a specific login, it’s likely that the app was never saved to your Keychain. In that case, your best bet is to use the "Forgot Password" link within the app itself. Once you reset it, keep an eye out for the little pop-up at the bottom of your screen asking if you want to "Save Password"—make sure you hit "Yes" this time.