How to Update and Manage Your Passwords in Bitwarden
You've got Bitwarden set up. Your passwords are saved. Now what?
Websites change. You need to update passwords. You want to add new accounts. Here's how to manage everything in Bitwarden.
How to See All Your Passwords
Click the Bitwarden icon in your browser (the shield in the top right corner).
Click "My Vault."
You'll see a list of all your saved passwords. This is your password library.
You can scroll through them or use the search box at the top to find a specific one.
How to Add a New Password Manually
Sometimes you want to add a password yourself instead of waiting for Bitwarden to offer to save it.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Click the plus sign (+) or "Add Item."
Fill in the information:
Name: What is this for? (Example: "Netflix" or "Bank of America")
Username: Your username or email for that account
Password: The password for that account. You can type it in, or click the generate button (two arrows in a circle) to create a strong random password.
Website (URI): The website address (Example: netflix.com or bankofamerica.com). You can leave this blank if you want.
Click "Save" at the bottom.
How to Update an Existing Password
Let's say you changed your Facebook password. Now you need to update it in Bitwarden.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Find the account you want to update (use the search box if you have a lot of them).
Click on it.
Click "Edit" (looks like a pencil icon).
Change whatever needs updating—usually the password.
Click "Save."
That's it. Bitwarden now has your new password.
How to Use Bitwarden to Log Into a Website
This is the whole point—letting Bitwarden fill in your passwords automatically.
Go to the website you want to log into.
Click on the username or password box.
Click the Bitwarden icon in your browser.
Find the account you want to use.
Click on it.
Bitwarden fills in your username and password automatically.
Click the login button on the website.
How to Generate a Strong Password
When creating a new account or changing a password, use Bitwarden to create a strong random password. You don't have to remember it—Bitwarden does that for you.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Click "Generator" (usually in the menu on the left).
You'll see a random password. It'll look something like: K9$mPqR7#vLn2@Tx
Don't like it? Click "Regenerate" to get a new one.
Once you see one you want to use, click "Copy" (or the copy icon).
Paste it into the website where you're creating or changing a password.
Make sure to save it in Bitwarden (either let it auto-save or add it manually).
How to Organize Your Passwords With Folders
If you have a lot of passwords, folders help keep things organized.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Go to "My Vault."
Click "Folders" in the menu.
Click "Add" or the plus sign (+).
Name your folder (Examples: "Work Accounts," "Shopping Sites," "Banking").
Click "Save."
To move a password into a folder:
- Click on the password
- Click "Edit"
- Under "Folder," choose where you want it
- Click "Save"
How to Delete a Password
If you closed an account or don't need a password anymore, you can delete it.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Find the password you want to delete.
Click on it.
Click "Delete" (usually at the bottom or a trash can icon).
Bitwarden will ask if you're sure. Click "Yes" or "Delete."
It's gone.
How to Search for a Password Quickly
Got hundreds of passwords? Use search.
Click the Bitwarden icon.
Look for the search box at the top.
Start typing the name of the website or account.
Bitwarden shows matching results as you type.
Click the one you want.
Important Tips
Let Bitwarden auto-save new passwords. When you log into a new website, Bitwarden will ask "Do you want to save this password?" Click "Yes." It's easier than adding it manually later.
Update passwords immediately. If you change a password on a website, update it in Bitwarden right away. Don't wait—you'll forget which password you used.
Use strong generated passwords. Stop using "Summer2024!" for everything. Let Bitwarden create random passwords. They're much more secure.
Check Bitwarden regularly. Every few months, scroll through and delete old accounts you don't use anymore. Keeps things clean.
Need Help?
If managing passwords in Bitwarden feels overwhelming, we can help. Once you see how it works, it becomes second nature. You'll never go back to forgotten passwords and constant resets again.
