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Unlock 1Password when you unlock your device

Learn how to unlock the 1Password app when you unlock your Mac, PC, or mobile device.

You can choose to have 1Password unlock automatically when you unlock your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows PC, or Android device. You can use this unlock method to quickly access your 1Password information and avoid the need to use your account password, biometrics, or system authentication to unlock the 1Password app.

Prerequisites

To unlock 1Password when you unlock your device, make sure the 1Password app is up to date. You’ll also need to have a password or device lock method set up on your device:

Set up unlock with device

Important

Before you turn on “Unlock when device unlocks”, make sure your device password or passcode is strong and difficult to guess. You should also change it regularly, such as every 3 to 6 months.

  1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.
  2. Select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
  3. Select Security, then turn on Unlock when device unlocks.

The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock when you unlock your Mac.

If you sometimes want to unlock 1Password separately from your Mac, select the “Ask to unlock again” dropdown and choose your preferred amount of time. Otherwise, select Never.

  1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.
  2. Select the icon for your account or collection at the top left and choose Settings.

    If you’re using an iPad, select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar.

  3. Select Security, then turn on Unlock when device unlocks.

The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password will unlock for up to 10 minutes when you unlock your iPhone or iPad.

  1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.
  2. Select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
  3. Select Security, then turn on Unlock when device unlocks.

The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock when you unlock your PC.

If you sometimes want to unlock 1Password separately from your PC, select the “Ask to unlock again” dropdown and choose your preferred amount of time. Otherwise, select Never.

  1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.
  2. Select the icon for your account or collection at the top right, then select Settings.

    If you’re using a tablet, select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar.

  3. Select Security, then turn on Unlock when device unlocks.

The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password will unlock for up to 10 minutes when you unlock your Android device.

Get help

If 1Password doesn’t unlock when your device unlocks:

  • Turn off “Unlock when device unlocks”, then turn it back on.
  • Choose an app unlock preset at the top of Settings > Security to reconfigure your unlock settings.
  • Quit 1Password, then restart it:
    • On Mac, select the 1Password icon in the menu bar and choose Quit.
    • On Windows, select the select the ellipsis at the top of the 1Password sidebar and choose Quit.
    • On iOS and Android, remove 1Password from the App Switcher or “Recent apps” list.

Sometimes, you’ll need to manually unlock 1Password instead of using your device to unlock 1Password:

  • If you restart your Windows PC or quit and restart 1Password for Windows.
  • If you change your computer login password or device lock method.
  • If the amount of time in Settings > Security > “Ask to unlock again” has elapsed.

    This option appears when you turn on “Unlock when device unlocks”.

If you don’t want 1Password to unlock when you unlock your device, you can also choose to unlock 1Password with:

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