Google Chrome on Windows requires you to enter your device password to view or edit saved Passwords. Google is now working on adding another layer of protection or new privacy feature that requires biometric authentication such as using a fingerprint scanner attached to a laptop to access Passwords. On macOS, you can use Touch ID. Early bits of the feature were landed in Chrome, here is how you can enable it right now.
Highlights:
- Google to add biometric authentication requirements in Chrome to access Passwords on Mac.
- The feature is being tested in Chrome 106 and the expiry is set to version 110.
Recently, Google Chrome received the ability to manually add passwords, mute compromised credentials, and add notes to Saved Passwords.
Chrome is now getting better and making your Passwords saved to Chrome more secure through another new security feature.
Chrome adding Biometric authentication for Passwords to Mac
Chrome on Android asks to use a fingerprint or Pin to authenticate you’re the owner of a mobile to see Passwords.
On Windows, Chrome requires you to type Windows Password, this gives basic protection for others from seeing your passwords.
Soon, you may be allowed to use a fingerprint scanner with a Apple Macbook Laptop for the same.
In Chrome 106, Google added the “biometric authentication in Settings” flag.
This “enables biometric authentication in settings to view/edit/copy a password” the feature description reveals.
What this means, in the future, Chrome may provide the option in Password Manager settings to use a fingerprint scanner for your device running Mac to view. edit and copy a password.
The feature tells Mac users can use touchID to confirm their identity instead of typing passwords. Sounds useful.
Currently, as of writing, after enabling the flag, the Biometric authentication settings do not show up when you visit Settings > Auto-fill > Password manager. Expect the feature to work in the future as the work on it progresses.
Final words: Chrome on Mac soon will allow users to authenticate with biometrics such as Touch ID to view/edit/ copy for Passwords.
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments below.
More on Chrome:
Chrome and Edge let you reorder tabs w/ Keyboard shortcuts in a cool way
Chrome 101 for Android gets Chrome Actions
Chrome puts Google Search results in Side Panel on Windows
Chrome is bringing the downloads icon to the toolbar
Chrome 99 lets you Uninstall Web Apps from Windows Settings and remove default Search engines