Entering passwords on Google Chrome for Android is about to get much easier
Using your password manager with Google Chrome on your Android smartphone is about to become a lot easier. Starting Nov. 12, the mobile web browser will allow your third-party password manager to autofill forms on websites. But they can do that already, I hear you yelling. Yes, but the big change is that they will be able to do it natively.
Google Chrome To Support Native Autofill For Android Password Managers
As reported by Eiji Kitamura, a developer advocate on the Google Chrome team whose work includes making security, privacy, identity and payments as frictionless as possible, the change will mean that the janky page scrolling and display of duplicate password suggestions from both Google and your third-party password manager could soon be a thing of the past.
It is already possible to set your password manager as the preferred autofill service using Android’s system settings. Still, the native default is Google when it comes to Chrome rather than apps. “To autofill forms on Chrome,” Kitamura said, “the autofill service needs to use compatibility mode.” The janky scrolling and duplicate entries mentioned are confirmed as glitches caused in Chrome, according to Kitamura. Which is why the forthcoming change is so important.
“Third-party autofill services can autofill passwords, passkeys and other information like addresses and payment data,” using the new version of Google Chrome for Android, Kitamura confirmed, “as they would in other Android apps.”
Why Native Autofill For Chrome Matters As Far As Security Effectiveness Is Concerned
I have always insisted that two things in the world of cybersecurity are true:
- Password managers are essential tools when it comes to securing your accounts.
- Security is useless if it interferes with usability and convenience to the point where ordinary users avoid it.
Kitamura is the ideal person to explain why native autofill for Google Chrome web users on Android devices is such an important move when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of users. After all, he dedicates his time at Google to making security, privacy, identity, and payments on the web more open, seamless, and frictionless. Then coming change will, Kitamura said, “allow third-party autofill services to natively autofill forms, giving users a smoother and simpler user experience.” And, as I have pointed out, a simpler security user experience makes for a safer user experience.
You can even see this improved security in action yourself if you don’t mind installing the beta version of Chrome for Android 131 or later rather than waiting until Nov. 25 when the stable version is released to the world. Kitamura gives step-by-step instructions in a Google Android Developers Blog posting.