At a Glance
Many modern web browsers (Google Chrome included) will save your passwords to make it more convenient to login to websites. Unfortunately, saving your passwords to the Google Password Manager is not a good idea from a security and privacy perspective.
In this article, I’ll show you how to delete saved passwords from Google Chrome, why you should delete them, and how to import your passwords into a true, well-protected password manager.
Why Should I Delete My Passwords From Google Chrome?
While saving your passwords to Google Chrome’s Password Manager saves you time by putting your website passwords at your fingertips, it could be dangerous if your device ever falls into the wrong hands. If your computer or mobile device is lost or stolen, the person who has it will have easy access to your accounts. This is especially dangerous if you save your banking or credit card site passwords toGoogle Chrome, as you could be faced with financial disaster.
Your computer or device doesn’t have to be stolen or lost to put your passwords at risk. This is because bad actors have ways of taking control of your computer with phishing, man-in-the-middle, and Evil Twin attacks. If they do gain control, bad actors also gain control of your saved passwords in Google Chrome, allowing them to access your accounts.
If I Delete My Passwords From Google Chrome How Can I Remember My Passwords?
When you create a password, you should always make it lengthy, difficult to guess, and include a variety of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should also be unique, meaning you should not use a password on more than one account.
Unfortunately, lengthy passwords with multiple types of characters are tough to remember (and almost as tough to type on a keyboard). This is why it is tempting to both use Google Chrome’s Password Manager and to reuse passwords.
However, there is a way to avoid having to remember passwords or using Google Chrome to store your passwords. Use a password manager.
A password manager remembers all of your passwords, while you simply need to remember a single password, which is used to unlock the password manager’s encrypted “vault.” Many password managers also allow you to use two-factor authentication (which requires a second form of authentication) to increase the security of your password collection.
There are several quality password managers available. Some of the most popular password managers include:
- 1Password
- Dashlane
- LastPass
- NordPass
- KeePass
For an in-depth review of any of the five password managers listed above, read my reviews of thetop password managersfor 2024.
Isn’t a Password Manager The Same Thing as Google Password Manager?
“Password Manager” is a broad name for tools that help users create, securely store, manage, and use passwords. While most third-party password managers are compatible with several browsers and operating systems, Google Password Manager is compatible only with Chrome and theAndroidmobile operating system.
What is Google Password Manager?
Google Password Manager is a feature of Google’s ecosystem that allows users to store and manage their passwords. The feature is built into the Chrome Browser, ChromeOS laptops, and Android devices. It allows users to save and recall passwords as needed.
Google Password Manager auto-fills login credentials on saved sites, can be used to generate passwords when you create new accounts, and syncs passwords across devices where you’re logged into your Google account. This means you can access your passwords on any device that is compatible with Google apps. It can also analyze the strength of your passwords and alert you to data breaches, informing you if your login credentials have been compromised in a data breach.
Before Deleting Your Google Chrome Passwords
If you’re planning on using a third-party password manager, there is one very important step to take before deleting your saved passwords from Google Chrome. You’ll want to export your passwords from the browser so you can import them into your password manager of choice.
To export your passwords from Google Chrome, do the following:
- Open a new browser window in Google Chrome.
- Click on the three-dot icon, which can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
- Click on “Passwords and Autofill” -> “Google Password Manager.”
- Click “Settings” in the sidebar, then click the “Download file” button in the “Export passwords” section.
- Enter the password you use to log in to your computer.
- Save theChrome Passwords.csvfile to your desktop.
The method of importing theChrome Passwords.csvfile into your password manager of choice will vary from app to app, so be sure to check with the developer of the password manager you use to determine the procedure for doing so.
How To Delete Saved Passwords From Google Chrome
When you’re ready to delete your saved passwords from Google Chrome, here’s how to do it.
How to Delete Individual Passwords From Google Chrome
On a computer:
- Open a browser window in Google Chrome.
- Click on the three-dot icon, which can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
- Click “Settings” -> “Autofill and passwords” -> “Google Password Manager.”
- This will pull up a list of your saved passwords.
- To delete an individual password, click the website you wish to delete, then click the “Delete” button.
- Repeat as needed.
On an Android device:
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three-dot icon found in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
- Tap “Settings” -> “Password Manager.” You’ll then see a list of your saved passwords.
- Tap the website password you wish to delete, then tap “Delete.”
- Repeat as needed.
On aniPhoneor iPad:
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three-dot icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
- Tap the “Password Manager” button. You’ll then see a list of your saved passwords.
- Tap “Edit” in the bottom right corner of the Chrome browser.
- Under “Saved Passwords,” tap the website password you wish to delete, then tap “Delete.”
- Repeat as needed.
How to Delete All of Your Passwords from Google Chrome
On a computer:
- Open a browser window in Google Chrome.
- Click on the three-dot icon, which can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser.
- Click “Settings.”
- Click “Privacy and security.”
- Under the Privacy and security section, click “Delete browsing data.”
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Change the Time range to “All Time,” then click the box next to “Passwords and passkeys.”
- Click “Delete data.”
On anAndroiddevice:
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Chrome browser, then tap “Clear browsing data.”
- Change the Time Range to “All Time.”
- Tap “More options.”
- Make sure “Saved Passwords” is checked.
- Tap “Clear data.”
On an iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Chrome app.
- Tap on the three-dot icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the browser.
- Swipe until you find the Settings button Tap it.
- Tap “Privacy and Security”
- Tap “Delete Browsing Data.”
- Change the Time Range to “All Time,” then tap “Saved Passwords.”
- Tap “Delete Browsing Data.”
- Tap “Done” in the top right corner.
How to Disable Saved Passwords in Google Chrome
Even after you’ve deleted all of your passwords in Google Chrome, the browser will continue to offer to save passwords and sign in automatically to websites. You can put an end to this by turning off saved passwords in Google Chrome.
On a computer:
- Open the Google Chrome app.
- There is a three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. Click it.
- Click on “Settings” -> “Autofill and passwords” -> “Google Password Manager.”
- In the left-hand menu pane, click “Settings.”
- Make sure “Offer to save passwords” and “Sign in automatically” are both toggled off.
On an Android device:
- Open the Google Chrome app.
- There is a three-dot icon in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. Tap it.
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “Google Password Manager.”
- Tap the Settings icon, found in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Toggle off “Offer to save passwords.”
On an iOS device:
- Open the Google Chrome app.
- There is a three-dot icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the browser. Tap it.
- Tap the “Password Manager” button.
- Tap “Settings” in the bottom left-hand corner.
- Toggle off “Offer to Save Passwords.”
Would a VPN Help Ensure Better Password Privacy?
Using a third-party password manager in place of saving passwords to Google Chrome is an excellent step toward keeping your passwords completely secure. However, by adding one more tool to your privacy toolbox you can make your passwords even more secure.
Using aVirtual Private Network (VPN)encrypts your internet connection, hiding all of your online activities in a tunnel of encrypted protection. This prevents any one from monitoring your online travels or from intercepting your passwords if you’re logging into an unsecured website. Using a VPN while you’re online keeps your password information undercover and protected.
In Closing
While saving your passwords in Google Chrome may be convenient, it is certainly not the most secure way of storing your website login information. As we’ve found out, there are several third-party password management solutions that are much more secure, while also offering several features not offered by Google Chrome. Storing your passwords in a password manager like 1Password ensures that you keep your passwords in an encrypted database that is accessible on most popular devices.
Google Chrome Passwords FAQs
Does Clearing the Cache on Google Chrome Also Delete My Passwords?
Deleting your passwords while clearing your Chrome browser cache is an option that is available. Google Chrome offers multiple options when you’re clearing browser data. While the exact wording is different from platform to platform, look for “Passwords and passkeys” or something similar. If you check it, your passwords will be deleted.
Is It Good to Regularly Clear My Google Chrome Browser Cache?
Absolutely!Clearing your Chrome browser’s cacheregularly is an excellent habit to get into. Clearing your cache helps protect your privacy, as your cache stores data. Clearing the cache will delete that data, helping to protect your privacy. Clearing your cache can also improve your device’s performance, allowing it to operate more efficiently.
Contents [hide]
- At a Glance
- Why Should I Delete My Passwords From Google Chrome?
- If I Delete My Passwords From Google Chrome How Can I Remember My Passwords?
- Isn’t a Password Manager The Same Thing as Google Password Manager?
- Before Deleting Your Google Chrome Passwords
- How To Delete Saved Passwords From Google Chrome
- How to Disable Saved Passwords in Google Chrome
- Would a VPN Help Ensure Better Password Privacy?
- In Closing
- Google Chrome Passwords FAQs