If you’re not a fan of filling out time-consuming forms, or you’re not happy with apps that require it, here’s the good news: With auto-complete, you don’t need it anymore. Autocomplete is a special framework provided by Google that manages the communication between the autocomplete service and the apps on your Android device
The service works the same way as password managers, which relieve the stress of forgetting passwords and fill in information in other applications using your data. This improves the user experience as you spend less time filling out form fields and minimize typos, especially when using mobile devices.
The autofill platform consists of services such as password managers, autofill clients or apps that store your data, and the Android OS, which offers a platform on which everything works together.
Autocomplete came with Android Oreo (8.0) as one of the internal enhancements to make Android devices smoother, faster, and cooler. It’s a godsend for users and developers alike, because it’s easier to enter login credentials with supported apps like Netflix and others.
Initially, when you signed into a supported app, the Google AutoComplete service appeared and used the Google Password Management Service to enter your credentials.
Today, however, it works with other password management apps like LastPass, 1Password, or Dashlane, which, prior to Oreo, had their own system for automatically typing your usernames and passwords with multiple hacks. This is no longer necessary.
If you have any of these apps installed, you will be prompted to securely and automatically enter your login information when a web page asks for authentication or when opening apps.
Another great aspect of autocomplete is if you have new accounts that you didn’t use in the password manager when you do it the first time, it should prompt you to save the data in the default manager app.
How to use Autofill with your Google Account
Your Google account is useful when you subscribe to almost every service available on the Internet. In fact, it is probably Facebook’s biggest competitor in this area, although there are other services that require account registration to use.
Most online services provide users with a preferred option to sign up and log in using their Facebook or Google account.
Each time you visit the registration page on the website, your information is automatically filled in when you register with your Google account. This is made possible by Chrome‘s auto-complete feature, which saves your login credentials to your Google account.
With autocomplete now available in Android apps and devices, you can store your accounts for online services like Netflix, for example, and Google auto-fills in data on whatever Android device you sign in to.
To enable Google AutoComplete for apps and your Android device, follow these steps.
Open “Settings” on your Android device
Scroll down and find System or General Management.
Tap Language and Time (this may or may not appear depending on your Android version. If not available, go to the next step).
Select “Language & input”.
Tap the “Advanced Settings” (Input Assistance) section at the bottom to expand the list (depending on your Android version).
Click AutoComplete Service.
Then click Google to select it (default).
Select Autocomplete with Google.
Return to the autocomplete service. Click “Settings” next to the selected Google app. You should receive a prompt that will show you what information Google can see if that’s your default autocomplete service.
Click OK to confirm. Select the default email address that you want to use with the AutoComplete service. Click “Continue”.
Test the service by opening the app and trying to login when prompted to send your credentials to your Google account.
How to use Autofill with a password manager
Built-in browser password managers such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Opera can save time and make managing passwords convenient. However, they create a false sense of security that doesn’t work, especially when a browser is hacked.
With a separate dedicated password manager, you can create and store more secure and stronger passwords in the knowledge that they will be more secure than in your browser. Currently, password management apps that support Google autocomplete include LastPass (Google certified), Enpass, 1Password, Keeper, and Dashlane.
If you want to set up autocomplete to work with the password manager, you need to download the manager app first. If you already have it on your Android device, follow these steps to set up the AutoComplete service.
Download and install a Google-supported password manager.
Go to Settings> System. Click Language & Input.
Tap the Advanced section to expand it. Choose an autocomplete service and choose your password manager. If it is not in the list, click Add Service.
Open the app and when prompted, click Autofill with [password manager]. For example, if your default app is LastPass, click AutoFill with LastPass
Log in using a password or fingerprint to confirm the action. Enter the application you want and use it.
You can now use AutoComplete to enter credentials with your Google account or password manager. Every time you click Sign In in any app, your email address will be displayed as a suggestion, just like Chrome‘s autocomplete in the login box.
However, with third party apps, you will be prompted to unlock the password manager and select credentials without leaving the login screen.
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