Need a Stronger Password? Generate Secure Options on Your iPhone in Moments With These Tricks

CNET

2 days ago

While passkeys are gaining popularity and leading us to a future with fewer passwords, they aren't truly widespread yet. In the meantime, you'll still need a secure password to protect your accounts. Instead of racking your brain, your iPhone can generate a strong password in just a few taps. Even better, there are two different ways to generate your new password without stressing about it.
Last year, iOS 18 brought the new Passwords app with it, which makes saving and creating passwords a breeze, not to mention killing the need of a third-party password manager for a ton of iPhone users. The Passwords app is easy to use and fairly robust in features, but what if you're holding onto an older iPhone that isn't compatible with iOS 18? Don't worry, you still have options to work with.
Below, we'll show you how to make strong passwords on the fly, no matter what version of iOS you're on.
For more, check out the best iOS 18.5 features you should know about.
iPhone pro tip: Better protect your accounts with a physical 2FA security key
Two-factor authentication adds another layer of security to your accounts, by asking you to verify your identity via text or app. However, the most secure 2FA option is with a physical key, like this one from Yubico, which you insert into your iPhone's charging port. A hacker would need both your password and this key to access your accounts protected by 2FA.
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How to generate a password with Apple's Passwords app
If you have iOS or iPadOS 18 installed and just want a no-frills, easy way to generate a secure password on the fly, the Passwords app may be all you need. Here's how to do it.
Open the Passwords app Tap the + symbol at the bottom right of the screen Ignoring the Website or Label and User Name sections, tap on the Password field, as if you're going to type one in -- not the Password label. A small "Strong Password Suggestion" will appear right above your keyboard. You can tap on the password suggestion to add it to the password section and copy it for use wherever you want.
Generate a secure password in two taps with Apple's Password app.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET
You can add a website/label and username, as well as any notes, if you want to save these credentials and not just generate a password. If you want another password suggestion, just tap on any other text input field, like User or Notes, and then tap the password field again to get another suggestion.
That's it. If that's all you want out of your password generator, it really doesn't get easier than this. However, if you want to be able to access your password from multiple locations, then maybe you should read on for the next option.
How to generate secure passwords with a Siri Shortcut
Using the link below, download the Generate Password shortcut onto your iPhone. This will automatically redirect you to the Shortcuts app -- tap Add Shortcut to download the shortcut on to your phone. The Generate Password shortcut will then appear in your library of shortcuts.
Download: Generate Password (iCloud link)
Generate Password will be saved to the Shortcuts section in the Shortcuts app.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET
Your on-demand iPhone password generator in action
Once the shortcut is installed, you can use Generate Password to quickly create Apple-style passwords, which are 20 characters long and include two hyphens, a capitalized letter and a number ("fevNaq-1zumki-gorfoc" is an example).
There are several ways to use Generate Password:
Siri : Say, "Hey Siri, Generate Password."
: Say, "Hey Siri, Generate Password." Share Sheet : Tap the share sheet in Safari or anywhere else, scroll down and tap Generate Password.
: Tap the share sheet in Safari or anywhere else, scroll down and tap Generate Password. Shortcuts : Tap the Generate Password shortcut directly in the Shortcuts app.
: Tap the Generate Password shortcut directly in the Shortcuts app. Back Tap: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and choose the Generate Password shortcut. You can then tap the back of your iPhone to run the shortcut.
The first time you run Generate Password, you'll be asked to give the shortcut access to your clipboard. Hit Allow to do so. From then on, anytime you run Generate Password, a password will be created and automatically copied to your clipboard. You'll also see a notification showing you the password. Hit Done when you're finished.
Generating a password via Share Sheet (left) and Siri (right).
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET
The password will expire from your clipboard in 10 minutes, so make sure to use it relatively quickly or else you'll need to generate a new password. You can press down in any text field and hit Paste to enter the password from your clipboard.
Need more? Don't miss how iOS 26 basically turns your iPad into a Mac.