Google Chrome on Android is about to get a huge, long-overdue password manager upgrade
Google is finally fixing a long-standing problem with the way third-party password managers work in the Android version of Chrome.
In an update coming next month, Google will enable native autofill for third-party password management apps like Dashlane and 1Password in the Chrome app on Android.
The update was announced in a post on Google Blog for Android developers by developer Eiji Kitamura and will hopefully fix several issues with the way such password managers currently work with the app.
In the post, Kitamura describes current issues including “showing duplicate suggestions from Google and a third party” and “janky page scrolling” when using third-party password managers. This is because the password manager needs to use a “compatibility mode” when interacting with Chrome, even when it is set as the Android phone’s default system default in the settings. If The edge Notes: This causes glitches not present in Safari or even Chrome for iOS.
The upcoming update will in turn allow third-party password managers to automatically fill in passwords and passcodes, as well as other details including addresses and payment information.
How to test the update yourself
This solution will hopefully put an end to the problems. But if you’d rather check it out for yourself, you can test the new third-party password manager integration by installing a beta version of the upcoming Chrome 131 update from the Google Play Store and following these instructions.
First, go to the Settings app and select the Passwords, Passcodes & Accounts tab and tap the Change button under the currently selected service. Select a new third-party service.
This is where it gets a bit technical: open the Chrome app and paste the following into the URL bar: chrome://flags#enable-autofill-virtual-view-structure
Set the flag that appears to Enabled and then restart Chrome. Go to Chrome settings and select Autofill services, select Autofill with another service, and then restart Chrome.
Voila! You should now have access to smoother autofill for your third-party password manager.
The stable version of Chrome 131 will be released to all users on November 12. Until then, keep an eye on our Android coverage for the latest updates.