How to use Google's Password Checkup tool on an Android device to help keep your login passwords secure

• To use Google's Password Checkup on Android, make sure you are using Google as your password autofill service.
• Most Android phones can help ensure the security of your passwords using Password Checkup.
• If Google detects a compromised password, it will warn you.

How secure are your passwords? You probably know that you should create strong passwords and never re-use them across different websites and services. If you store passwords in Chrome on the desktop you may know that your browser has a password checkup tool built in. Google has now added the Password Checkup tool to Android as well.

What to know about Google's Password Checkup for Android devices

Google's Password Checkup is built into your Android phone as long as you are running Android 9 or higher, and it is built into the Autofill with Google settings, which means if you are using a different service to autofill passwords (such as Dashlane or Bitwarden) it won't work.

The Password Checkup is designed to keep you safe by comparing your stored passwords against an online database of known data breaches and exposed passwords. Whenever you enter or save a password, it tests your entry and if a match is found, your phone will show you a warning and advise you to change the password. You can also manually review all your stored passwords and perform a password checkup as well.

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For the safety and security of your passwords, they are never transmitted to the cloud unencrypted. Instead, Google only uploads encrypted versions of your passwords to compare your passwords to its online security database, and the actual determination of whether your credentials have been compromised happens locally on your phone, not in the cloud.

How to use Google's Password Checkup on an Android

When you save or enter a password in a password form, the Password Checker should automatically check and warn you if it detects a possibly compromised password. You can also run the Password Checker yourself.

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap "System," then tap "Language & input."
3. Tap "Advanced," and then in the expanded menu tap "Autofill service."
4. Tap the gear icon to the right of "Autofill service."
5. Tap "Passwords."
6. Here's a list of all your saved passwords. You can browse, inspect, and edit any of these passwords.
   
   

   

7. Tap "Check passwords" at the top of the screen.
8. Tap "Go to Password Checkup."
9. The Password Checkup tool will run and show you a list of compromised, weak, and reused passwords. Tap to review and change them.
   

   
   

   

How to enable Google's Password Checkup on an Android

The Android Password Checkup works through Autofill with Google, so it needs to be enabled:

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap "System."
3. Tap "Languages & input."
   
   

   

4. Tap "Advanced," and then in the expanded menu tap "Autofill service."
5. Tap "Autofill service" and then make sure "Google" is selected. You might need to indicate you trust the app by tapping "OK."
   
   

   

6. Tap the Back button and you should see Google is the selected autofill service.
   

   
   

   

7. To enhance your security, it's a good idea to turn on biometric authentication - this will require you to use your phone's biometric security (like fingerprint or eye scan) to autofill a form with your password.
   

   Here's how: Tap the gear icon to the right. Tap "Autofill security" and turn on "Credentials" by swiping the button to the right. You'll need to prove your identity biometrically to do this.

   

How to avoid duplicate passwords with autofill

Android can help you avoid duplicating passwords by automatically generating unique passwords for you. To use autofill, do this:

1. Tap and hold in a password field. After a moment, you should see the pop-up menu appear.
2. Tap the three-dot menu and choose "Autofill."
3. Just above the keyboard, tap "Generate password."
4. Finally, tap "Save suggested password" to insert the randomly generated password into the form.