The Password Trick That Takes 60 Seconds But Saves Hours of Frustration
Plus: Breaking news about yesterday's Letterly recommendation
Do you regularly waste time cycling through password variations, trying to remember if you used an uppercase or lowercase letter or whether you added that exclamation mark? Believe me, I've been there too.
Or you could be one of those people with a small notebook next to your computer, filled with carefully written passwords, conveniently placed so burglars can grab both your laptop and your password collection in one efficient trip.
Most people either reuse the same weak password everywhere (a dangerous practice) or create strong passwords that they promptly forget (a frustrating consequence). The solution sits right on your phone, is completely free, and takes less than a minute to set up.
For those just joining Screen Skills: This newsletter provides practical digital advice without technical jargon. I focus on tools that give you the biggest benefit with the smallest learning curve—perfect for those who want to enhance their digital lives without turning them into a second career.
The Quick Skill: Your Phone's Built-In Password Manager
Every modern smartphone includes a free, secure password manager that most people never properly activate. Here's how to set it up:
For iPhone users:
Go to Settings → Passwords
Turn on "AutoFill Passwords"
Enable "iCloud Keychain" if prompted
Download the free "Passwords" app from the App Store (also available for Mac)
Next time you create an account, tap "Use Strong Password" when prompted
Your phone will generate and remember a unique password for each site
The Passwords app appears both on your phone and in your Mac's dock for easy access to all saved passwords
For Android users:
Open Settings → Google → Autofill
Select "Google Password Manager"
Turn on "Offer to save passwords"
When creating accounts, accept the "Generate password" suggestion
Google will sync these across all your devices
Pro tip: When the password manager suggests a strong password during account creation, always accept it. These generated passwords are virtually impossible to crack, and you never need to remember them.
Free alternative: Bitwarden offers the same functionality, along with additional features such as secure note storage. Available for all devices and completely free for personal use.
Premium option: NordPass (approximately $ 2 per month) consistently ranks as the top password manager in security reviews. It offers faster syncing across devices, emergency access features for family members, and advanced breach monitoring. The extra cost makes sense if you share accounts with family or need the most robust security available.
Personal Experience
I've used a password manager for many years now. Every account has a unique, complex password that I never need to remember. The time savings alone justify the two-minute setup: no more "forgot password" emails or account lockouts.
The built-in options work seamlessly in your daily work because they're integrated into your device's operating system. When you visit a login page, your saved password appears automatically. They also sync across all your devices, so passwords saved on your phone work on your laptop too.
Breaking News: Letterly Gets Major Update
For those who read yesterday's newsletter about Letterly (the voice transcription app that saves me 2 hours of typing weekly), the app just received a significant overnight update based on user feedback:
Recording time extended: The 15-minute limit has been increased to 90 minutes. You can see the countdown timer during the recording.
Seamless continuation: For longer meetings, you lose only three seconds. Stop the current recording, tap the back arrow (top left) to return to the home screen, and start a new recording. The previous transcription processes run in the background; there is no need to wait.
About pricing: A reader asked about cost options. You can try Letterly for free with a 7-day trial ($60/year subscription). Here's a thoughtful approach: subscribe, then immediately cancel to get the full week trial. If you like it, the lifetime deal through AppSumo ($69 one-time) offers much better value: https://appsumo.com/products/letterly/
This update makes Letterly even more practical for lengthy interviews, meetings, or lectures. Earlier this week, during my interview with humanitarian leader Jan Egeland, I had to stop and restart recording every 15 minutes; that's precisely the kind of disruption this update eliminates.
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Until next time,
Alexander
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Extended Letterly recording time! How timely. Adding AppSumo to my list. This was an invaluable post, thank you!!
I love my password manager - such a useful thing to have.
That Letterly update sounds like a total game changer.