How to Share Passwords and Passkeys via AirDrop on iPhone and iPad

Sharing login credentials with family members, trusted colleagues, or friends is often handled insecurely. Copying complex passwords into SMS text messages, unencrypted chat apps, or email threads exposes sensitive account details to eavesdropping, accidental forwarding, and cloud backup scraping. To make credential sharing both seamless and cryptographically secure, Apple provides native peer-to-peer transfer of login passwords and cryptographic passkeys directly via AirDrop.

Why Share Credentials via AirDrop Instead of Messaging Apps?

AirDrop credential transfers leverage Apple’s secure hardware enclave, Bluetooth discovery, and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi encryption to protect data in transit:

• End-to-End Encryption: The credential payload is encrypted between the sender and recipient devices, preventing any intermediary interception over local networks.
• Direct Keychain Import: Rather than forcing the recipient to copy and paste text strings manually into password fields, AirDrop injects the username, password, and website URL directly into their local Apple Passwords app and iCloud Keychain.
• Native Passkey Support: Cryptographic passkeys (FIDO2 WebAuthn keys) cannot be shared as plain text strings. AirDrop is one of the only secure methods to transfer a passkey directly to another person’s Apple ecosystem so they can log in without typing a password.
• Biometric Authentication Requirement: The sender must unlock the password vault using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode before the sharing sheet can be triggered.

Prerequisites for AirDrop Password and Passkey Sharing

Before initiating a transfer between devices, ensure the following configurations are met:

• Both the sender and recipient are using modern Apple hardware running iOS 17, iOS 18, iPadOS 17/18, or macOS Sonoma/Sequoia.
• Both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
• The recipient has their AirDrop receiving status configured to Contacts Only (and the sender is saved in their contacts) or temporarily set to Everyone for 10 Minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide: Sharing a Password or Passkey from iPhone or iPad

You can execute the transfer using the standalone Passwords app in iOS 18 or through Settings in earlier versions.

1. Locate the Credential in Apple Passwords

1. Launch the Passwords app on your iPhone or iPad (or open Settings and tap Passwords).
2. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your master passcode.
3. Use the search bar or scroll through your list to select the account you want to share.

2. Initiate the AirDrop Share Sheet

1. On the account details card, tap the Share button (square with an upward arrow) located in the upper-right corner.
2. Your device will initiate a local AirDrop scan. Nearby Apple devices eligible for reception will appear in the AirDrop carousel.
3. Tap the contact avatar or device name of the recipient.

What the Recipient Experiences on Their Device

Once you tap the recipient’s device, the process finishes smoothly on their end:

1. An AirDrop notification banner appears on the recipient’s screen displaying “[Sender’s Name] would like to share a password for [Website Name]”.
2. The recipient taps Accept.
3. Their device automatically launches the Passwords interface, authenticates their biometrics, and presents a confirmation that the account credentials have been saved.
4. The next time the recipient navigates to that website or launches the corresponding app in Safari, the AutoFill prompt will offer the shared username, password, or passkey instantly.

Best Practices and Post-Sharing Security Hygiene

While AirDrop provides a highly secure transport channel, keep the following security considerations in mind:

• No Ongoing Synchronisation: Sharing an individual credential via AirDrop is a one-time transaction. If you subsequently change the password on the original account, the recipient’s saved entry will not update automatically. To maintain synchronized credentials across multiple people, consider creating a Shared Password Group in Apple Passwords instead.
• Verify Nearby Contacts: In public settings (such as airports or cafes), verify the exact contact avatar and device label before tapping send to prevent transmitting account details to unintended nearby devices.
• Revert AirDrop Receiving: If the recipient changed their AirDrop setting to “Everyone for 10 Minutes” to receive the transfer, ensure the setting returns to “Contacts Only” to prevent unsolicited file prompts.