If you’re an avid Mac user in South Africa who prefers Google Chrome as your go-to web browser, Apple has some exciting news that directly impacts you. The recent introduction of the macOS Sonoma beta brings with it a groundbreaking feature to the iCloud Passwords Chrome extension, allowing users to seamlessly access and manage their iCloud passwords without the need to switch to Safari or migrate their passwords to another password manager.
Ricky Mondello, an Apple software engineering manager, recently took to Twitter to share this exciting development, highlighting the extended capabilities of the Chrome extension. In addition to pulling passwords directly from iCloud, the updated extension offers AutoFill functionality for passwords and one-time codes, enables the saving of new passwords, and even allows users to set up code generators by right-clicking on QR codes.
While the Chrome extension was initially designed to facilitate iCloud Password syncing on Windows, Apple has extended its compatibility to include South African Mac Chrome users as well. Notably, the Chrome store listing, as of the time of this article’s publication, does not explicitly mention the new capabilities for Mac users. Moreover, the extension is also compatible with other Chromium-based browsers such as Arc and Microsoft Edge, although the latter will receive AutoFill features at a later date.
It’s important to note that the updated Chrome extension does not directly support passkeys. However, the recently released iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma now boast passkey support throughout their respective operating systems, offering South African users the ability to save and sign in with passkeys. Developers, however, will need to implement this feature within their apps to take full advantage of its capabilities.
To experience the convenience of this new feature, interested South African users will need to install the macOS Sonoma public beta. However, it is crucial to exercise caution as beta versions may contain bugs that could potentially impact the performance of your Mac. It is advisable to avoid using mission-critical systems for beta testing.
With this new bridge between ecosystems, Apple continues to enhance user experience by streamlining password management for South African Mac Chrome users. As the company expands the reach of its iCloud services to various platforms, it remains committed to providing seamless integration and convenience across its software and hardware ecosystem.
