How to Share Passwords and Passkeys in Safari with Family

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to securely share groups of saved website passwords and passkeys with family members for seamless use in the Safari web browser. By utilizing Apple's built-in iCloud Keychain feature on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can create shared password groups that automatically sync login credentials across everyone's devices. Below, you will learn the system requirements, how to set up a shared group, and how to manage your family's access.

System Requirements

Before you can create or join a shared password group, you and your family members must meet the following requirements:

  • Operating System: Devices must be updated to at least iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma.
  • iCloud Keychain: All participants must have iCloud Keychain turned on in their device settings and two-factor authentication enabled for their Apple ID.
  • Contacts: The family members you want to invite must be saved in your Contacts app with the email address or phone number associated with their Apple ID.

How to Share Passwords on iPhone or iPad

Depending on your software version, you will either use the dedicated Passwords app (iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 or later) or the Settings menu (iOS 17 and iPadOS 17).

  1. Open the Passwords app. If you are on an older OS, open Settings, scroll down, and tap Passwords.
  2. Unlock the menu using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
  3. Tap the + (Plus) button in the top right corner and select New Shared Group (or tap Get Started under the Family Passwords prompt).
  4. Type a name for your group (e.g., "Family Streaming" or "Household Bills").
  5. Tap Add People under the group name, type the names of your family members, and tap Add in the top right corner.
  6. Tap Create in the top right corner.
  7. A list of your saved passwords and passkeys will appear. Select the accounts you want to share with the family group and tap Move in the top right corner.
  8. Choose whether to notify your family members via Messages that they have been added to the group, or tap Not Now.

How to Share Passwords on a Mac

You can set up shared groups on a Mac using the Passwords app, System Settings, or directly through the Safari browser.

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the top menu bar, and select Settings (or Preferences).
  2. Click the Passwords tab and authenticate with Touch ID or your Mac password. (Note: On macOS Sequoia or later, you can simply open the standalone Passwords app).
  3. Click the + (Plus) button and select New Shared Group.
  4. Enter a name for the group.
  5. Click Add People, select your family members from the list, and click Add.
  6. Click Create.
  7. Select the passwords and passkeys you wish to share from your existing list, then click Move.
  8. Click Notify via Messages to alert your family, or close the prompt.

Using Shared Passwords and Passkeys in Safari

Once a password or passkey is moved into a shared group, no further setup is required in Safari.

  • AutoFill: When a family member visits a shared website in Safari, the browser will automatically offer to fill in the shared username, password, or passkey using AutoFill.
  • Making Changes: Any member of the group can edit a shared password, add new passwords to the group, or delete a password. Changes sync instantly to everyone else's Safari browser.
  • Group Management: Only the person who created the group can add new family members, remove existing members, or delete the shared group entirely.
  • Deleted Items: If a family member accidentally deletes a shared password, it moves to the "Recently Deleted" folder, where it remains recoverable for 30 days.