Autofill is a framework that manages the communication between apps and the autofill service on your device. Like password managers, which fill out information in other apps with data you provided previously, autofill services take out the time-consuming and error-prone nature of filling out forms.
It can be frustrating having to fill out forms all the time on different apps, which is why the autofill framework makes the experience better.
On Android, the autofill feature uses Google’s own password management service to enter your username and password into apps, though it will work with other password manager apps as well. It is only available for Android 8.0 and above.
Also read: 10 of the Best Password Managers for Web, Desktop, and Mobile
Enable Google Autofill
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Go to General Management (or System).
3. Go to Language and Time, and tap on “Language and input.”
4. Find Input Assistance (or Expand Advanced Settings), and tap on Autofill service.
5. Tap on the Google option to select it (if this is the default service you’d like to use). If you want to use a third-party autofill app, tap on “Add Service.” The apps currently compatible for this are Enpass, LastPass, Dashlane, Keeper, and 1Password.
Save login credentials
1. Go back to Autofill Service on your device.
2. Tap on the Settings gear icon next to the Google or third-party app you selected.
3. You’ll get a prompt that tells you what Google will be able to see if you set it as your default autofill service. Click OK to confirm.
4. Choose the default email address you’d like to set for autofill, and then click Continue.
5. Type in the information including passwords or other data you’d like autofilled whenever you log in to apps.
Note: for third-party apps you will have to install the app first before using it.
Use Autofill
Now open an app and try to sign in when prompted. Once you’re successfully signed in, Android Oreo will offer to save your login credentials to Google or the third-party app you are signed into.
When you open an app and tap “Sign In,” your email address will appear as a suggested option. This is similar to autofill for Chrome in the login field.
For third-party apps you’ll get a prompt to unlock your password manager and select the credentials to use without leaving the login screen.
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