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:
- On Mac or Windows, make sure you have a login password.
- On iOS, make sure you’ve set up a passcode.
- On Android, make sure you’ve set up a passcode, PIN, or pattern.
Important
Before you turn on “Unlock with device”, 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.
Set up unlock with device
- Open and unlock the 1Password app.
- Select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
- Select Security, then select the Unlock with device dropdown menu.
- If you want to unlock 1Password separately from your Mac after a certain period of time, choose your preferred amount of time.
- If you always want 1Password to unlock with your Mac, select Always.
The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock when you unlock your Mac.
Tip
If you turn on “Unlock with device” on your iPhone or iPad, 1Password will start to unlock with your device for 10 minutes after you use a separate unlock method, like Face ID or your account password.
After the 10 minute window ends, you’ll need to unlock 1Password with another unlock method to start a new 10 minute window.
- Open and unlock the 1Password app.
- 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.
- Select Security, then turn on Unlock with device.
The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock with your iPhone or iPad for 10 minutes.
Help
You may need to turn off “Use your device’s Trusted Platform Module to unlock” before you can set up unlock with device.
- Open and unlock the 1Password app.
- Select your account or collection at the top of the sidebar and choose Settings.
- Select Security, then select the Unlock with device dropdown menu.
- If you want to unlock 1Password separately from your PC after a certain period of time, choose your preferred amount of time.
- If you always want 1Password to unlock with your PC, select Always.*
* Sometimes you’ll still need to manually unlock 1Password.
The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock when you unlock your PC.
Tip
If you turn on “Unlock with device” on your Android device, 1Password will start to unlock with your device for 10 minutes after you use a separate unlock method, like Face ID or your account password.
After the 10 minute window ends, you’ll need to unlock 1Password with another unlock method to start a new 10 minute window.
- Open and unlock the 1Password app.
- 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.
- Select Security, then turn on Unlock with device.
The next time you unlock 1Password, you’ll be asked for your account password, then 1Password can unlock with your Android device for 10 minutes.
Get help
If 1Password doesn’t unlock when your device unlocks:
- Set “Unlock with device” to Off, 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 be asked to manually unlock 1Password instead of using your device to unlock 1Password:
- When you first open or restart 1Password for Mac or Windows.
- After 10 minutes have passed from the last time you unlocked 1Password separately from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
- If you change your computer login password or device lock method.
- If the amount of time in Settings > Security > “Unlock with device” has elapsed.
If you don’t want 1Password to unlock when you unlock your device, you can also choose to unlock 1Password with:
- Touch ID, Apple Watch, or your login password on your Mac.
- Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode on your iPhone or iPad.
- Windows Hello on your Windows PC.
- Your fingerprint, face, or iris or your device passcode on your Android device.
Learn more
- Manage your unlock and auto-lock settings in 1Password
- About the security of using your device to unlock 1Password
- (Apple) Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- (Google) Set screen lock on an Android device
Was this article helpful?
Glad to hear it! If you have anything you'd like to add, feel free to contact us.
Sorry to hear that. Please contact us if you'd like to provide more details.