With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced its new Passwords app, making it easier to manage your login credentials in one place. Once you’ve updated your iPhone, you can go a step further and connect the app to your Windows PC, giving you coordinated password management across both devices.

While Apple devices typically work best together, Apple hasn’t completely left PC users out of the loop. If you’re someone who uses both an iPhone and a Windows PC, you can still keep your passwords synced across both devices using iCloud Passwords. With Passwords in place, you’ll avoid the problem of being unable to access an Apple-generated complex password from your phone on your PC — reducing the need to reset your passwords.

To get started, you’ll need to install iCloud for Windows, which is available from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, open iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID, the same one you use on your iPhone. For each app or feature, click “Sync” and then “Finish Setup.”

Once iCloud Passwords is set up, the app lets you manage everything: adding, editing or deleting passwords and account information. If you’ve already been using iCloud Keychain on your Apple devices, you’ll find the experience very similar.

Adding new accounts or updating existing ones is simple. Open the iCloud Passwords app on your PC, sign in, and click the “Add” button. From there, you can enter a website, username and password — just like you would on an Apple device. You have the option to allow the system to generate a strong password, which can save you from the hassle of thinking up a new one every time you need to create an account. But I can assure you that you won’t remember them. These passwords will be stored in iCloud so they will always be accessible even if you lose your device.

Need to delete an account? It’s as straightforward as adding one. Open the iCloud Passwords app on your PC, sign in, and select the account you want to remove. Click “Delete,” and it’s gone — not just from your PC but also from your iPhone. This ensures you’re not leaving any unused or outdated accounts floating around.

Many sites now require two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your accounts more secure, and the iCloud Passwords app on Windows can handle that, too. Passwords can set up and store automatic verification codes. That way, you can take advantage of the security of two-factor authentication without relying on SMS messages or additional apps. To set up an automatic verification code, open Passwords, select “All,” and then select a website or app. Under Security, choose “Set Up Verification Code.”

While you can manage your passwords on your PC, some features are reserved for your iPhone. For instance, if you’re using Apple’s Shared Group feature to securely share passwords with family members or other trusted individuals, you’ll need to manage those groups on your iPhone. Once set up, though, the shared passwords are accessible on your Windows computer. Group members can add passwords, passkeys and sign in with Apple credentials. When a shared credential changes, it changes on everyone’s device. To set up a shared password group, open the Passwords app on your iPhone and tap “New Group.” Name your group and add people from your contacts. Potential group members must be running iOS17 or later, so if you see a message that says they can’t be added for that reason, ask them to update their phone. Tap “Create” and then you’ll see a list of passwords you can share with your new group. You can opt to notify them. In the future, you will receive a notification whenever anyone else is invited to the group.

If you’re someone who uses both an iPhone and a Windows PC, Apple’s iCloud Passwords offers a convenient way to keep your accounts secure and synced across platforms. While certain features like managing shared passwords require an Apple device, you can still handle most of your password management tasks right from your PC. It’s a practical solution for anyone juggling both operating systems.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness, and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.