For several years now, Firefox users have had access to its own password manager, Lockwise, which securely stores and syncs all your passwords with the mobile versions of the browser. However, Mozilla has decided to pull the plug on Lockwise, meaning that users of the password tool will no longer have to expect security updates and support. What will happen to Lockwise and what should you do?
The password manager is built into the Firefox browser, but also exists as a separate app for iOS and Android devices. In principle, you can use the app without the intervention of the browser.
Mozilla has since informed users that Lockwise will no longer be supported as of December 13. This only concerns the app version of the password manager. “The Firefox Lockwise app will no longer be updated and supported by Mozilla and will no longer be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store,” the browser developer said in a statement.
Well via the browser
After December 13, users will still be able to manage their passwords via Lockwise, but only via the Firefox browser for desktop and mobile devices. Make sure you sync passwords saved in the app with the Firefox browser before December 13.
It is possible that you can still use the Lockwise app after this date. The app will then no longer be provided with updates. Because the tool stores sensitive information such as your passwords and usernames, it is of course not very wise to use the app itself any longer.
Update will follow
iOS users in particular will not be happy with the discontinuation of Lockwise. The androidversion of Firefox can automatically fill in your details when you try to log in to a website. In the iOS version of the browser, you have to manually copy your passwords through the password manager and then paste it into the browser. That’s pretty cumbersome, but Mozilla says it’s working on it. An update to the iOS version of the browser is expected in December.
Lockwise has been criticized for some time. Mozilla wasn’t exactly active in keeping the app tidy, which has caused some problems to surface in recent months. The last update that the Android version of the app received dates back a year.
If you don’t want to wait for an update for the iOS version of Firefox, you can also switch to another password manager. In this article we list sixteen options for you. Once you’ve made a choice, this way you can easily export your passwords from Firefox to another password tool.
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