How to Log Into Websites With Face ID on iPhone X

Surfing to password-protected websites on a smartphone can be challenging; not only do you have to remember different passwords for each site, but you have to type them on a small touch screen, which can be especially painful if your password is long or contains complex characters. Well, there is a better way on iPhone X ($999.00 at Verizon) : replace your website passwords with Face ID via the Safari autofill feature.

Technically, you're not actually replacing your passwords. You're simply storing them for each site. Face ID then automatically fills in your username and password after scanning your face. By using this method, you'll be able to sign into your favorite websites much faster and easier.

1. iCloud Keychain

First, make sure you're running iOS 11 or higher on your iPhone X. Set up Face ID if you haven't already done so. Next, you'll need to enable an option called iCloud Keychain. Open Settings. Tap on your name at the top of the settings screen. Tap on iCloud. Swipe down to Keychain and make sure it's turned on. If not, tap on the setting and enable it.

2. Safari

Next, go back to the main Settings screen and tap on the entry for Safari. At the Safari screen, tap on AutoFill. Safari may already be set to auto fill your contact info. Now, you also want to use AutoFill for your Names and Passwords, so turn on that setting.

3. Save Password

Open Safari and browse to a password-protected website. Sign in as you normally would by entering your username and password. A message should pop up asking if you would like to save this password in your iCloud Keychain for AutoFill on all your devices. Tap on Save Password. Sign out of the site and then tap on the link to sign in. This time, Face ID should scan your face and automatically sign you in without you having to retype your username and password.

4. Manually Add Credentials

What if a password-protected website doesn't ask to save your password to your iCloud Keychain? Or what if you just want to set up this type of authentication for several sites in a row without having to surf to each one? No problem. You can manually add the credentials for any password-protected website. To do this, open Settings > Accounts & Passwords > App & Website Passwords. Face ID scans your face to grant you access to your existing list of password-protected sites.

5. Add Password

Tap on the link to Add Password. At the Add Password screen, type the URL of the site in the Website field. Type your username and password in the next fields. Tap Done. That site is added to the others. Open Safari and browse to that site, and Face ID should automatically sign you in.

6. Change Password

What if your login credentials change for a site you've saved through Keychain? You have a couple of options. Go back to Settings > Accounts & Passwords > App & Website Passwords. Tap on the entry for the site in question. Tap on Edit and then enter the new username or password. Tap Done.

7. Use Face ID

Alternatively, browse to the site in Safari. Let Face ID scan your face to enter your current login credentials. Then delete the existing username or password and type the new one. Tap on the Sign in link for that site. You should then be asked if you want to update your password. Tap on Update Password, and the new login information is stored.

8. Delete Old Passwords

Finally, you can delete an entry for a site that you no longer use or want to store. Go back to Settings > Accounts & Passwords > App & Website Passwords. Tap on Edit. Select the site you want to remove and then tap on Delete. You're asked if you're sure you want to delete the selected password. Tap on Delete.