What is Bitwarden?

Bitwarden is a free password manager that helps you store and manage all your passwords securely. Instead of remembering dozens of different passwords, you only need to remember one master password. Bitwarden stores all your other passwords encrypted and can fill them in automatically whenever you want to log in somewhere.

What makes Bitwarden special is that all basic features are completely free to use. The app is available for every device and platform, and your passwords are synced automatically. On top of that, Bitwarden is open source, which means security experts can review the code.

Why use a password manager?

Before we set up Bitwarden, it helps to understand why a password manager is so important.

The problem with passwords

  • The average person has more than 100 online accounts.
  • You should use a unique, strong password for every account.
  • It is impossible to remember 100 different strong passwords.
  • That is why people reuse passwords, which is very unsafe.

The solution: a password manager

  • Stores all your passwords securely encrypted.
  • Automatically generates strong, unique passwords.
  • Fills in passwords automatically on websites and in apps.
  • Syncs across all your devices.
  • You only need to remember one master password.

Creating a Bitwarden account

Let's start by creating your Bitwarden account. This is the first and most important step.

Step 1: Go to the website

  1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
  2. Go to www.bitwarden.com.
  3. Click "Get Started".
  4. Click "Create Account".

Step 2: Enter your details

  1. Enter your email address.
  2. Enter your name (optional).
  3. Choose a strong master password.

Choosing the perfect master password

Your master password is the key to all your other passwords. That is why it should be:

  • Long: At least 12 characters, preferably 16 or more.
  • Unique: Do not use it anywhere else.
  • Easy to remember: For example, use a passphrase.

Example of a passphrase: "MyCatLovesToEat4FishPerDay!": this is long and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and a punctuation mark, yet it is still easy to remember.

Step 3: Confirm your account

  1. Click "Submit".
  2. Check your email for a confirmation link.
  3. Click the link to verify your email address.
  4. Your account has now been created.

Installing Bitwarden on your computer

You can use Bitwarden on your computer in several ways.

The browser extension is the most convenient way to use Bitwarden, because passwords are filled in automatically.

For Google Chrome:

  1. Go to the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Search for "Bitwarden".
  3. Click "Add to Chrome".
  4. Confirm by clicking "Add extension".
  5. The Bitwarden icon appears in the top right of your browser.

For Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Go to addons.mozilla.org.
  2. Search for "Bitwarden".
  3. Click "Add to Firefox".
  4. Confirm the installation.

For Microsoft Edge:

  1. Go to the Edge Add-ons page.
  2. Search for "Bitwarden".
  3. Click "Get".
  4. Confirm the installation.

Logging in to the browser extension

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon in your browser.
  2. Click "Log in".
  3. Enter your email address.
  4. Enter your master password.
  5. Click "Log in".
  6. You are now connected to your vault.

Installing Bitwarden on your phone

To use your passwords on your phone as well, install the mobile app.

For iPhone and iPad

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Search for "Bitwarden".
  3. Tap "Get" next to the official Bitwarden app.
  4. Open the app after installation.
  5. Tap "Log in".
  6. Enter your email address and master password.

For Android

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for "Bitwarden".
  3. Tap "Install".
  4. Open the app after installation.
  5. Tap "Log in".
  6. Enter your email address and master password.

Setting up autofill on your phone

On iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Passwords.
  2. Tap "Password Options".
  3. Turn on Bitwarden under "Allow Filling From".

On Android:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input.
  2. Tap "Advanced" > "Autofill service".
  3. Select Bitwarden.
  4. Confirm your choice.

Adding passwords to Bitwarden

Now that Bitwarden is installed, you can start adding your passwords.

Method 1: Add manually

  1. Open Bitwarden (browser extension or app).
  2. Click the plus icon (+) to add a new item.
  3. Choose "Login" as the type.
  4. Fill in the following fields:
    • Name: A recognizable name (e.g. "Gmail")
    • Username: Your email address or username
    • Password: Your password for this site
    • URL: The web address (e.g. "gmail.com")
  5. Click "Save".

Method 2: Save automatically when you log in

  1. Go to a website where you want to log in.
  2. Enter your login details as usual.
  3. Bitwarden shows a pop-up asking whether you want to save them.
  4. Click "Yes, save" or "Save now".
  5. The details are automatically added to your vault.

Method 3: Import from another password manager

  1. Export your passwords from your old password manager.
  2. Go to vault.bitwarden.com and log in.
  3. Click "Tools" > "Import data".
  4. Select the format of your export.
  5. Upload the file or paste its contents.
  6. Click "Import".
  7. Delete the export file after importing, for your security.

Generating strong passwords

One of Bitwarden's best features is automatically generating strong passwords.

Generating a new password

  1. Open Bitwarden.
  2. Go to the password generator (via the icon or menu).
  3. Set your preferences:
    • Length: At least 16 characters is recommended.
    • Uppercase letters: On.
    • Lowercase letters: On.
    • Numbers: On.
    • Special characters: On (if the website allows them).
  4. Click "Generate" to create a new password.
  5. Copy the password to use it.

Generating a password when creating an account

  1. When you create a new account on a website.
  2. Click in the password field.
  3. Bitwarden offers to generate a password.
  4. Accept the suggested password.
  5. Bitwarden saves it automatically.

Using autofill

Now that you have saved passwords, you can have them filled in automatically.

In the browser

  1. Go to a website where you want to log in.
  2. Click in the username or password field.
  3. Click the Bitwarden icon in your browser.
  4. Bitwarden shows the available logins for this site.
  5. Click the right login.
  6. Your details are filled in automatically.
  7. Click the website's login button.

On your phone

  1. Open an app or website where you want to log in.
  2. Tap in the username or password field.
  3. The keyboard shows an option for Bitwarden.
  4. Tap Bitwarden.
  5. Confirm with your fingerprint or face.
  6. Select the right login.
  7. Your details are filled in.

Organizing your vault

As you add more passwords, it helps to organize them.

Creating folders

  1. Open Bitwarden on the website (vault.bitwarden.com).
  2. Go to "Folders" in the menu.
  3. Click the plus icon to create a new folder.
  4. Give the folder a name (e.g. "Work", "Shopping", "Finance").
  5. Click "Save".

Moving items into folders

  1. Open an item in your vault.
  2. Click "Edit".
  3. Select a folder in the "Folder" field.
  4. Click "Save".

Securing Bitwarden

Your password vault contains sensitive information. Here are some tips to give Bitwarden extra protection.

Turning on two-step login

  1. Go to vault.bitwarden.com and log in.
  2. Click your account icon in the top right.
  3. Go to "Account settings".
  4. Click "Security" > "Two-step login".
  5. Choose a method (an authenticator app is recommended).
  6. Follow the instructions to set it up.

Setting up automatic locking

  1. Open the Bitwarden settings.
  2. Look for "Vault timeout" or "Auto-lock".
  3. Choose how quickly Bitwarden should lock (e.g. 15 minutes).
  4. This makes sure nobody can get to your passwords if you walk away from your device.

Using biometric unlock

On your phone you can unlock Bitwarden with your fingerprint or face:

  1. Open the Bitwarden app.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Turn on "Unlock with biometrics".
  4. You no longer have to type your master password every time.

Frequently asked questions

What if I forget my master password?

Bitwarden cannot recover your master password; this is a security feature. If you forget it, you can no longer access your vault. That is why it is essential to remember your master password well or keep it in a safe physical place. You can also set up an emergency access contact through the premium feature.

Is Bitwarden really free?

Yes, Bitwarden offers a completely free version with all the basic features: unlimited password storage, syncing between devices, password generation and autofill. There is also a premium version for about 10 dollars per year with extra features such as advanced two-step login and priority support.

How safe is it to keep all my passwords in one place?

Bitwarden uses strong encryption (AES-256) to protect your passwords. Your data is encrypted before it leaves your device, and only you have the key (your master password). Even Bitwarden itself cannot read your passwords. This is much safer than reusing passwords or writing them down on paper.

Can I use Bitwarden without an internet connection?

Yes, Bitwarden stores an encrypted copy of your vault locally. You can view and copy your passwords without an internet connection. New passwords or changes are synced as soon as you are back online.

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