10 Life Hacks Every 1Password User Should Know
1Password is one of our favorite password managers , especially for users new to password management tools. It offers a number of unique features and hidden tricks that keep your data secure and easy to access when logging in, making online payments, or viewing sensitive documents. Here’s how to get the most out of your 1Password subscription.
Turn on Travel Mode to hide your most sensitive data at the border.
Travel Mode is one of 1Password’s most unique features, especially useful for those concerned about the privacy of their data when crossing international borders. Enabling Travel Mode deletes your password vaults from your devices unless you’ve marked them as “secure,” preventing anyone who gains access to your phone or computer from accessing your passwords. Travel Mode can only be managed on 1Password.com: after logging in, select your name > Manage Account and enable Travel Mode. If you need access to some of your data, you can add items to a separate vault and mark that vault as secure in the “Vaults” section of the sidebar. All other vaults will be removed from the desktop and mobile apps and are not viewable in the web app or browser extension.
Use virtual cards to protect your credit card information when paying online.
A virtual credit card is a temporary payment card with a randomly generated number that can be used for online purchases without revealing your actual card details, providing an additional layer of fraud protection. 1Password integrates with Privacy.com, a third-party service that allows you to create cards for specific merchants , as well as set spending limits and rules for regular use. 1Password will then offer you your Privacy Card when you check out at that merchant’s website. You’ll need to create a Privacy account (the free plan allows you to create up to 12 cards per month) and install the 1Password browser extension.
Set up expiration alerts to ensure you don’t miss renewal deadlines.
1Password offers over a dozen document types, from standard login credentials and credit cards to passports and software licenses—and many require renewal or renewal at specific intervals. Instead of remembering when documents and accounts expire, you can set 1Password to automatically remind you (so you’ll never have to rush to renew your passport again). Add a date to the document entry, then set an expiration alert anywhere from 1 day to 9 months in advance, or choose a custom reminder date.
Add authentication codes to shared storages to avoid messaging between them.
1Password saves your one-time passwords (OTPs) used for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and autofills them when you log in to a website with your username and password. While MFA is highly recommended, it can be cumbersome for shared accounts where one user has rotating authentication codes stored on their device while another user attempts to log in from a different location. To avoid having to send codes via SMS, set them up in 1Password and add the item to a shared vault. While any user can share individual vault items, setting up shared vaults requires a Family plan.
Use temporary storage to grant access to guests’ credentials.
Another feature for families is guest vaults, which allow you to share certain data with people outside your family or household as needed. For example, you can use guest vaults to share Wi-Fi information, smart lock codes, and streaming service login details with visitors or your babysitter. Guests don’t need their own 1Password accounts, and they won’t be able to see other vaults on your plan. Add guests in the web app from the “Invites” tab. Go to “Invite by Email,” enter their email address, and select “Guest” > “Invite.” You can remove guests at any time from the “People” tab.
Save your router information to generate a QR code for instant connection.
When you add a wireless router to 1Password, the app will automatically generate a QR code that allows anyone to connect to your network simply by scanning it. Tap “New Item” > “Wireless Router” and enter the network name and password for your wireless network (at a minimum—you can fill out more fields if desired). The QR code will appear at the bottom of the item. You can also hide QR codes by default in “Settings” > “Security” > “Hidden Fields” by selecting “Show” before scanning.
Add tags and geotags to make it easier to find items.
1Password already makes it much easier to find passwords and other items in your vault thanks to sorting features, including most frequently used or recently used, and a “Tags” field for custom search keywords. You can also add physical locations, and items will appear in the “Nearby” section of the mobile app when you’re within a certain distance—this makes it easy to quickly retrieve benefits numbers, health insurance information, or travel documents when you’re out and about. Open an entry, select “Edit,” tap “Add Location,” and paste a map link or coordinates from Apple Maps or Google Maps into the field. On mobile, you can set the “Nearby” radius from 50 feet to 10 miles.
Link related storage items so you don’t have to search for what you need.
Another useful organizational feature in 1Password is the ability to link related items. When you search for and open an item, all related data will appear in the item’s details, without the need for a separate search. For example, you can link bank accounts and credit cards to the “Login” item for your financial institution, and a secure note or document to any related credentials or other documents. When editing an item, click “Add More” > “Link to Related Item ,” find the desired item, and click “Save.”
Archive old credentials to keep them secure but out of reach of others.
If you have accounts, documents, notes, or other records that you no longer use but don’t want to lose, you can archive them in 1Password. This will move them to the Archive folder, remove them from search results, and prevent them from appearing in autofill suggestions. However, unlike deleting them, you can restore them at any time. Open the record you want to archive and click the three dots > Archive (or drag the record from your desktop).
Use 1Password as a “die-in” folder to store your most secure documents.
1Password is a secure way to store most of your ” digital assets .” This includes your usernames, passwords, and accounts, as well as sensitive documents and personal files like property deeds, wills, certificates, licenses, photos, scans, and digital asset information. All users are provided with 1GB of storage, and files can be uploaded via New Item > Document > Add File . (Use the linking feature to organize your storage.) While 1Password doesn’t have a feature for transferring access to a trusted person in the event of incapacitation or death, you can plan ahead to ensure your data isn’t permanently locked away. One option is to use an emergency kit, which is a written document for accessing your account —place it in a secure location , either physical or digital. Alternatively, you can set up and share recovery codes with a trusted person.