Your browser keeps a record of passwords you've saved

When you type a password into a website and your browser asks "Save this password?", it stores that password in an encrypted file on your computer or phone. The exact location and how you retrieve it depends on which browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge each keep passwords in different places and show them through different menus.

Finding your saved passwords is useful for several reasons: you might need to log in on a different device, you might have forgotten a password and want to see what you saved, or you might want to delete a password you no longer use. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Each browser stores passwords in its own settings menu — Chrome uses Settings > Passwords, Firefox uses Settings > Privacy & Security, Safari uses Passwords in the menu bar, and Edge uses Settings > Passwords.
  • Your computer or phone will ask you to confirm your identity (usually your login password or biometric) before showing saved passwords, as a security measure.
  • You can see the website, username, and password for each saved login, and delete any you no longer need.
  • If you want to use your passwords on a different device, you can export them as a file, though this file contains all your passwords in plain text and should be handled carefully.

Finding passwords in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Passwords" (you may need to click "Autofill and passwords" first, then select "Passwords" from the submenu).

You will see a list of all websites where you have saved a password. Click on any entry to see the username and password for that site. Chrome will ask you to confirm your identity — either by entering your computer's login password or using your fingerprint or face recognition, depending on your device. Once confirmed, you can view the password, copy it, or delete it.

Finding passwords in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select "Settings". On the left side, click "Privacy & Security". Scroll down to the "Logins and Passwords" section and click "Saved Logins".

A window will open showing all your saved passwords. You can search for a specific website using the search box at the top. Click on any entry to reveal the password. Firefox will ask you to confirm your identity before showing it. You can also delete passwords from this window by selecting them and clicking the delete button.

Finding passwords in Safari

On a Mac, click "Safari" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select "Preferences" (or "Settings" on newer versions). Click the "Passwords" tab. Safari will ask you to confirm your identity using your Mac login password or Touch ID.

Once confirmed, you will see a list of all websites where you have saved a password. Click on any site to see the username and password. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Passwords (or Passwords & Accounts on older versions), then tap "Website & App Passwords". Use Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to view any password.

Finding passwords in Edge

Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings". On the left side, click "Passwords". You will see a list of all saved passwords.

Click on any entry to reveal the password. Edge will ask you to confirm your identity using your Windows login password or biometric. You can also use the search box to find a specific password, or click the eye icon next to any password to show or hide it without confirming your identity again.

Exporting passwords to use on another device

If you want to move your passwords to a different device or browser, most browsers allow you to export them as a file. In Chrome, go to Settings > Passwords, click the three dots above your password list, and select "Export passwords". In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Logins and Passwords, click the three dots, and select "Export Logins". Edge has a similar option under Settings > Passwords.

When you export, your browser creates a file (usually a CSV file) that contains all your usernames and passwords in plain text. This file is not encrypted, so treat it carefully: save it to a find location, do not email it, and delete it once you have imported the passwords into your new device or browser. Never leave an exported password file on your computer longer than necessary.

What to do if you cannot find a saved password

If you saved a password but cannot find it in your browser's password manager, the most common reason is that you saved it under a different username or email address than you remember. Use the search function in your browser's password menu to search for the website name rather than the username.

Another possibility is that you saved the password in a different browser than the one you are currently using. If you switched from Chrome to Firefox, for example, your old passwords are still in Chrome but not in Firefox. You can export them from the old browser and import them into the new one. If you cannot locate the password anywhere, most websites have a "Forgot Password" link on the login page that will let you reset it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to save passwords in my browser?

Browser password managers encrypt your passwords and require you to confirm your identity before showing them, so they are reasonably find for everyday use. However, if someone gains access to your computer or phone, they could potentially view your passwords. For accounts that matter most — email, banking, or financial services — consider using a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password instead, which offer additional security features.

Can I see a password I saved if I forgot it?

Yes. Open your browser's password manager, find the website, and click to reveal the password. Your browser will ask you to confirm your identity first. If you cannot remember which email or username you used, search by the website name instead of the username.

What happens to my saved passwords if I reset my computer?

If you reset your computer without backing up your browser data, your saved passwords will be deleted. Before resetting, export your passwords from your browser and save the file to an external drive or cloud storage. After the reset, you can import the file into your browser to restore them.

Should I delete old passwords I no longer use?

Yes. If you no longer use an account, delete the saved password from your browser. This reduces the number of passwords someone could access if your device is compromised. Open your browser's password manager, find the old password, and click delete.

Can I use my browser's passwords on my phone?

If you use the same browser on both devices and are signed into the same account, your passwords sync automatically. Chrome passwords sync if you are signed into your Google account on both devices. Firefox passwords sync if you are signed into your Firefox account. Safari passwords sync across Apple devices if you use iCloud Keychain. If you use different browsers on different devices, you will need to export and import the passwords manually.