How on-device encryption helps protect your data
What does encryption mean?
Password and passkey encryption at Google
How it works
What it means
On-device encryption and your data
How it works
What it means
Things to consider
The difference between on-device encryption & sync passphrase
On-device encryption and sync passphrase increase the privacy of the data you sync to Google.
On-device encryption applies to your passwords and passkeys only. Sync passphrase applies to all of the data that you sync to Google via Chrome.
On-device encryption lets you set up multiple ways to lock and unlock data, like your passwords or passkeys, making it less likely you will lose access to your data.
With sync passphrase, you choose a phrase to lock and unlock your data. You will lose access to your data if you forget your sync passphrase. Learn more about how to keep your info private with a sync passphrase.
How standard password encryption works
Today, your saved passwords are encrypted while they’re sent over any network and when they’re saved to Google. The encryption key, used to access your passwords, is safely stored in your Google Account. Google then uses this key to access (decrypt) your passwords when:
- You access them on passwords.google.com, on your eligible devices, or in Chrome settings.
- Your passwords get checked for security issues in the Password Checkup.
How on-device encryption works
When on-device encryption is set up, your passwords can only be unlocked on your device using your Google password or the screen lock for an eligible device. With on-device encryption, no one besides you will be able to access your passwords.
Get started
Important:
- Once on-device encryption is set up, it can’t be removed. Over time, this security measure will be set up for everyone to help protect password security.
- If you lose your Google password, you risk loss of access to your saved passwords. Keeping your account recovery phone number and email up-to-date can help regain access to your account if you lose your password.
Set up on-device encryption for your passwords on the Web
- Go to passwords.google.com.
- Click Settings
.
- Click Set up on-device encryption.
Set up on-device encryption for your passwords on Chrome
- In your Chrome browser, at the top right, select More
Settings
Passwords
Set up on-device encryption.
How to access your passwords on a new device
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Turn Sync on in Chrome.
- Chrome may ask you extra steps, like entering the screen lock for your eligible device to decrypt your saved passwords.
Recovery options
To make sure you can always recover your saved passwords (like if you lose your phone or computer), Google recommends adding password recovery options. Today, you can use your Google password and people with an eligible device can use their screen lock to access encrypted passwords. More recovery options will be added over time.
Use your Google passwordLosing access to your data
You will lose all your passwords if:
- You lose all of your recovery options:
- Google password
- Screen lock on an eligible device, if you added one
- You also lose access to every device that:
- Is signed in to your Google Account
- Has your passwords stored
These steps delete your server-side Chrome Sync data, which includes data such as bookmarks and Chrome settings in addition to your saved password list. For more info on what data Chrome syncs, go to Chrome data in your account.
- Go to chrome.google.com/sync.
- At the bottom of the page, select Clear Data.
- Turn Sync on in Chrome on your devices.
- Optional: Go to passwords.google.com/settings and set up on-device encryption.