The popular password manager 1Password has announced (opens in a new tab) big changes coming in its recently updated iteration.
Based on feedback from social media, user forums, and app store reviews, 1Password has redesigned its software, making it easier for novice users and promising specific improvements for iPhone app users.
There is no specific date when all updates will arrive in 1Password 8, but the company says it will be in the near future, with some features already available on certain platforms.
New features
One of the new features coming soon will be the ability to reorder the stored credentials fields by simply dragging and dropping them.
1Password admits it’s limited at the moment, but says it wanted to make this much-requested feature available as soon as possible, and that further improvements will be made in due course to allow for more customization in the future.
Another feature is one that returns, which is the ability to search for passwords in any list of items, both on iOS and Android platforms.
Also, as requested by users, you will be able to use your device’s PIN to unlock your password vault in addition to using your biometric credentials if you have one set up on your device.
And when it comes to biometrics, 1Password promises to improve Apple’s Face ID facial recognition experience with its iOS manager and Safari browser extension to make it more consistent.
Sticking with Apple, the VoiceOver feature on the tech company’s devices will integrate better with 1Password as well, preventing you from getting stuck in some text fields as it sometimes happens.
1Password adds that “the screen reader will also read all the characters as you pass them – even if you start editing the related text.”
“If you’re typing in a text box and you make a mistake, you can go back and find the right place with the arrow keys. All text will be selected and read, but you can also select a specific part by holding down the Shift key and the arrow key.”
The Emergency Kit feature, useful for those who use 1Password as their business password manager, can now be disabled. It’s a document available to all team members so they can view their account information and password, but 1Password says not every company will want it, explaining that it may “[reduce] friction for new team members starting with 1Password” when disabled.
Another option that you can disable right now if you want is file storage. This is specifically for 1Password Business users to prevent employees from storing unwanted files on the system.
1Password Business will also allow administrators to make Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) mandatory with physical security keys for anyone who wants to log into it, increasing its protection.
Among other updates coming to 1Password 8, there’s an indicator to let others know when you’re offline, as well as autofilling queries, as well as displaying recently searched terms for people using the mobile app.
More adjustable options include not autofilling certain credentials on certain websites, opening saved addresses in the map app of your choice, specifying exact domains to autofill – so similar domains are not mistakenly autofilled – and the ability to edit and even delete vaults on iOS and Android devices.
1Password Business users will also receive a public preview Unlock with Okta (opens in a new tab) in mid-February, enabling single sign-on (SSO) access to 1Password in a way that requires the use of trusted devices, instead of sharing an encryption key that could jeopardize the entire company if just one employee was compromised.