A few weeks ago, we covered how to use 1Password to manage passwords on your Mac. While 1Password is great for your home computer, many users now access their accounts through their mobile device. Fortunately, 1Password has a mobile version available that pairs perfectly with the Mac. Continue reading, and we’ll show you how to sync your 1Password data over using Dropbox, and how to add and use the items in 1Password.
What You’ll Need
>> 1Password for Mac with Dropbox sync turned on
>> 1Password for iOS [iTunes link]
1. Turn on Dropbox Sync
When you first launch the app, you will be asked whether you wish to create a new database, or sync an existing database. Since we are using Dropbox to sync our 1Password data, we’ll choose New Database. If you wish to sync over your local network with 1Password on your Mac, then you can follow the syncing procedures by choosing “Sync Existing.”
On the next screen, create a master password, and then re-enter it. You should also specify a password hint, should you lose your master password.
After the database has been set up, choose Settings > Sync > Dropbox. Flip the sync switch to ON, and then enter your Dropbox account credentials in the pop up view.
After you enter your credentials, 1Password will download your 1Password database, along with the encryption keys, and will deploy the data on your local device. After the download has completed, all of your Logins, Accounts, Identities, Notes, Software, and Wallet items will appear in the mobile app.
Making any changes to the mobile version of 1Password will cause those changes to sync to the desktop version of the application.
2. Add New Items
You can add a new item (login, account, identity, note, software, or wallet) by tapping on the + button on any of the item screens. This will cause a pop up to appear where you can enter the details about your new item. All new items added to the mobile version of 1Password will be synced back to the desktop version using Dropbox syncing.
3. Using the Built-in Browser
To access your 1Password logins, you can either use the built-in browser or copy your passwords for entry into Safari (or another browser). To use the built-in browser, navigate to any of your logins and tap on the arrow beside the website URL.
This will cause 1Password’s built-in browser to open to the specified page. To enter your password and proceed with the login on the website, tap on the small globe in the browser toolbar, and select the appropriate login from the list of stored logins for that site. Your credentials will automatically be entered, and you will be logged into the site.
Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article's author, Cory Bohon on Twitter.