How to Create Shared Password Groups in Apple Passwords on iPhone

Sharing login credentials with family members, partners, or trusted colleagues frequently leads to insecure practices such as texting cleartext passwords, writing down sensitive PINs on paper, or taking unencrypted screenshots. With iOS 17 and iOS 18, Apple introduced native support for Shared Password Groups within iCloud Keychain and the standalone Passwords app. This functionality enables you to create encrypted vaults where designated contacts can securely view, use, edit, and automatically update shared website logins, app credentials, and passkeys.

Every credential placed inside a shared group synchronises securely via end-to-end encryption across all members’ Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Whenever one member updates an expired password or registers a new passkey, the changes populate immediately for everyone in the group without requiring manual distribution. In this guide, you will learn how to create a shared password group on iPhone, invite trusted participants, move existing credentials into the shared vault, and manage group permissions safely.

Requirements for Using Shared Password Groups on iPhone

Before setting up a shared group, verify that your device and your intended participants meet the technical prerequisites:

• Operating System: All participants must use devices running iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, or later. Devices on earlier operating systems cannot access shared groups.
• iCloud Keychain Enabled: Each participant must have iCloud Keychain activated under their respective Apple Account settings.
• Contact Information: Every participant must be saved in your iPhone Contacts with their registered Apple Account email address or associated phone number.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Apple Accounts must have two-factor authentication enabled for cryptographic key exchange.

How to Create a Shared Password Group on iPhone

Creating a group takes only moments through either the standalone Passwords app (iOS 18) or the Passwords section in Settings (iOS 17):

1. Open the Passwords app on your iPhone (or navigate to Settings > Passwords).
2. Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
3. Tap the + (Plus) icon in the top-right corner of the screen, or scroll to the Shared Groups section and tap New Group.
4. Enter a descriptive name for your group (such as Household Logins, Family Streaming, or Project Team).
5. Tap Add People to invite trusted contacts from your address book.
6. Select the contacts you wish to include, ensuring their verified Apple Account addresses appear.
7. Tap Create in the upper right corner to generate the encrypted vault.

Adding Passwords and Passkeys to the Shared Group

Once the group is initialised, you can populate it with credentials:

Moving Existing Credentials into the Group

1. Immediately after creating the group, tap Choose Passwords on the confirmation prompt, or open an existing group and tap Add Passwords.
2. Browse or search your personal password list. Tap each account you want to share with the group.
3. Tap Move in the top-right corner.
4. Confirm the transfer when prompted. The selected credentials will move out of your private vault and into the shared group repository.

Creating New Credentials Directly Inside the Shared Group

1. Open the Passwords app and tap your shared group name under Shared Groups.
2. Tap the + (Plus) icon at the bottom or top of the screen.
3. Enter the website URL, username, and password, or assign a secure generated password suggestion.
4. Tap Save. The credential is saved directly to the shared vault and instantly syncs to all members.

Managing Members and Group Settings

As the group creator, you retain full administrative control over group membership and credential allocation:

• Inviting Additional Members: Open the shared group, tap Manage, select Add People, and send invitations. Recipient devices receive an immediate notification to join the group.
• Removing Members: In the Manage screen, tap the name of an existing member and select Remove from Group. When a member is removed, their access to the shared passwords ceases immediately.
• Moving Passwords Back to Personal Keychain: If you ever wish to unshare an account, open the credential inside the group, tap Edit, select the Group drop-down menu, and switch it back to Personal Passwords.
• Deleting a Group: In the group management menu, tap Delete Group. You can choose whether to return all shared items back to their original owners or remove items permanently.

Security Best Practices for Shared Passwords

Shared vaults offer significant convenience, but adhering to fundamental security habits ensures your data remains protected:

Best Practice	Implementation Detail
Separate Groups by Trust Level	Create distinct groups for distinct circles (e.g., immediate household vs. occasional houseguests) rather than pooling all logins together.
Prioritise Passkeys Over Passwords	When websites support passkeys, create them directly inside the shared group. Passkeys resist phishing and cannot be leaked via data breaches.
Review Recently Deleted Items	If another member deletes a credential by mistake, recover it within 30 days from the Recently Deleted folder in the Passwords app.
Enable Verification Codes (2FA)	Store two-factor authentication authenticator codes directly within the shared password item so all group members receive one-time passcodes automatically during login.