Why I use Apple's and Google's password managers - and don't mind the chaos

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Ditch the Notes app; start using your device's built-in password manager.

Apple and Google make password managers suitable for beginners.

Apple is best for iOS users, Google is best for Android or mixed-device users.

As I get older, I'm realizing I can't remember everything, especially the passwords to my important accounts. There are streaming services, insurance accounts, bill portals, and a million other accounts to keep up with. Instead of logging my passwords in my Notes app (as I used to do), I started using Apple's and Google's password managers.

Also: Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer free password managers - but should you use them?

They aren't fancy, but they're a great starting point for beginners like me who need a safe place to store their passwords. The ubiquity of these companies' products and services makes their password managers simple to integrate across your hardware and software, even if you use both. Here's how.

My tricky situation

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