It can be tedious to have to enter that information repeatedly. Thankfully, a Safari feature called AutoFill makes saving and filling in information like login credentials or a credit card simple. We’re going to show you how to use it.
What Is AutoFill?
AutoFill is a feature in Safari that allows you to automatically fill out web forms. The first time you fill out a form, AutoFill prompts you to save that information, which you can then re-use every time you fill out the same or similar form. This gets stored locally in Safari by default and in your iCloud Keychain (if you have that enabled.) We’ve explained the basics of using iCloud Keychain if you’re not familiar.
When you are filling out fields in an online shopping cart, or you can’t remember your password to your Netflix account, AutoFill populates the fields with a click. It’s incredibly useful in time-sensitive situations, such as when you need to order a ticket for a concert that will sell out quickly. No more time wasted having to enter your information manually.
What Information Can You Use With AutoFill?
AutoFill allows you to use multiple types of information. You can use information such as a username and password to an online account, credit card information, and it allows you to input information from your contacts. AutoFill also allows you to use other information that you may have entered on other forms. That way, when you revisit that website, you don’t have to try to remember the information.
How to Add a Username, Password, and Credit Card to Safari
Adding an account’s username and password through AutoFill is a straightforward process. To add a username and password:
Open Safari on your Mac. Click on Safari in the Menu Bar, then click Preferences. Next, click on AutoFill. You will now see the multiple AutoFill Forms. Click Edit next to Usernames and passwords. Enter your Mac’s password or scan your fingerprint to proceed. Click the + symbol. You can now enter the website’s name, your username, and the password. Next, click Add Password.
If you would like to add a credit card through AutoFill, the process is similar to adding an account login. To add a credit card:
In the AutoFill tab, click Edit next to Credit cards. Enter your password or scan your fingerprint to continue. Click Add. You can now fill in a description for the card that you want to add, the cardholder name, card number, and the expiration date. Once you have entered that information, click Done.
Now that you have added your login information or your credit card, you’re all set. Next time you go to the website to log in or need to enter your credit card, Safari will prompt you to automatically fill in the fields with that information when you click on the web form.
How to Remove or Change Saved AutoFill Information
There may be times when you would like to remove an account, or maybe you received a compromised password alert from Safari and would now like to update the password for AutoFill. Normally, it prompts you to save the new password automatically, but you can also do it manually. You can do this within the Passwords tab in Safari preferences.
In Preferences, click Passwords. Enter your Mac’s password or scan your fingerprint to proceed. Select the website that is associated with your account. Click Edit. If you would like to update the information, simply remove the old login and enter the new information, then click Save. If you want to delete the login altogether, instead of hitting Save, click Delete Password. Click Delete Password again.
Can You Use AutoFill Across Apple Devices?
AutoFill information will be accessible on all of your Apple devices if you have iCloud Keychain enabled. You also need to be logged in to the same Apple ID. This means that if you try to sign in to an account on your iPhone that you saved on your Mac, Safari on your phone will automatically offer AutoFill’s assistance. In addition to that, any updates or changes made through AutoFill will be saved and shared across your devices.
AutoFill Saves Time and Frustration
Having to enter crucial information repeatedly not only wastes time but is also inefficient. Trying to remember a login or entering a credit card when time is vital can be nerve-racking. Using a feature like AutoFill will remove hurdles when having to complete web forms, and you can use it across all of your Apple devices. It’s one of the many handy features that Safari on Mac has to offer.
