1Password is one of our favorite password managers, especially for users who are new to password management tools. It has some unique features and hidden hacks that keep your data safe as well as make it accessible when you need to log into an account, make an online payment, or view a sensitive document. Here’s how you can get the most from your 1Password membership.
Enable Travel Mode to hide your more sensitive data from border crossings
Travel Mode is one of 1Password’s most unique features, and it’s especially useful for anyone concerned about keeping their data private when crossing international borders. When Travel Mode is enabled, password vaults are removed from your device unless you’ve marked them as “Safe,” so anyone accessing your phone or computer for inspection won’t be able to see anything you’ve hidden. You can only manage travel mode on 1Password.com: After logging in, select Your Name > Manage Account And turn on travel mode. If you need access to some of your data, you can add the item to a separate vault and mark that vault as secure under the Vault section of the sidebar. All other Vaults will be removed from desktop and mobile apps and will not be available for viewing on web apps and browser extensions.
Use Virtual Cards to protect your credit card details when making online payments
A virtual credit card is a temporary payment card with a randomly generated number that you can use to make online purchases without revealing your real card information, providing an additional layer of protection against fraud. 1Password integrates with a third-party service, Privacy.com, which lets you Create cards for specific merchants Also set spending limits and rules for recurring use. 1Password will suggest your privacy card when you checkout on that merchant’s website. You need to create a Privacy account – the free tier allows up to 12 cards per month – and you must have the 1Password browser extension.
Set up expiration alerts so you don’t miss renewal deadlines
1Password has over a dozen item types, from standard login credentials and credit cards to passports and software licenses – and many of these require renewal or updating at specific intervals. Instead of trying to remember when documents and accounts are about to expire, you can have 1Password automatically reminded (so you never have to worry about renewing your passport again). Add a date to the item record, then set an expiration warning ranging from 1 day to 9 months in advance, or choose a custom reminder date.
Add to a shared vault to avoid repeatedly texting authentication codes
1Password saves your one-time passwords (OTPs) used for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and automatically fills them in when you log in to a website with your username and password. While MFA is highly recommended, it can be tiresome for shared accounts where one person has authentication codes roaming around on their device while another person is trying to log in from a different location. To avoid moving code back and forth, set them to 1 password And add the item to the shared vault. While any user can share individual Vault items, you must have a Family plan to set up a shared Vault.
Use a temporary vault to share logins with guests
Another Family feature is Guest Vault, which lets you share specific items with people outside your family or household as needed. For example, you can use Guest Vault to share WiFi information, Smart Lock codes, and streaming service logins with visitors or your babysitter. Guests don’t need their own 1Password account, and they won’t be able to view any other vaults on your plan. Add guests on the web app under the Invite tab. Go Invite by emailEnter their address, and select guest > invite. You can remove guests at any time under the People tab.
Save your router information to generate QR code for instant connection
When you connect your wireless router to 1Password, the app will automatically generate a QR code that anyone can connect to your network by simply scanning. Tap New Item > Wireless Router And enter the network name and wireless network password (at least – you can complete other fields if you wish). The QR code will appear below the item. You can also hide QR codes by default Settings > Security > Secret Fieldswhich means you have to select Expose Before scanning.
What do you think so far?
1Password already makes it relatively easy to find passwords and other items in your Vault with sorting options, including a tag field for most frequently or recently used and custom search keywords. You can also add physical locations, and items will appear in a section called Nearby in the mobile app when you’re within a certain distance — it instantly pulls up rewards numbers, health insurance information, or travel documents when you’re out and about. Open a record, select editTap Add a locationAnd paste the map link or coordinates from Apple Maps or Google Maps into the field. On mobile, you can set your “Around” radius between 50 feet to 10 miles.
Another useful organization feature in 1Password is the ability to link related items together – when you search and open an item, everything you’ve linked to it will appear in that item’s details without a separate search. For example, you can link bank accounts and credit cards to a login item for your financial institution, or link a secure note or document to a relevant credential or other document. Tap while editing an item Add more > Link to related itemFind the item, and click save.
Archive old credentials to keep them safe but hidden from view
If you have logins, documents, notes or other records that you no longer actively use but don’t want to lose, you can store them in 1Password. This sends them to an archive folder, removes them from search results, and prevents them from being suggested for autofill. However, unlike deleting, you can restore them at any time. Open the record you want to archive and tap Three Points > Archive (or drag and drop to desktop).
Use 1Password as an “in case of death” folder for your most secure documents
1Password is a secure way to store your “digital assets”. This obviously includes your usernames, passwords and accounts, but also sensitive documents and personal files such as titles, deeds, wills, certificates, licenses, photos, scans and information about digital assets. All users get 1GB of storage, and you can upload files through New Item > Document > Add File. (Use the hack about linking related items to keep things organized.) While 1Password doesn’t have a legacy access feature to pass your vault to a trusted contact in case of incapacitation or death, you can plan ahead to make sure your data isn’t permanently locked out. One option is to use an emergency kit, which is a written record of how to access your account—keep it in safe storageEither physical or digital. Alternatively, you can set up and share Recovery code with a trusted contact.
