Where your passwords are actually stored

Your passwords live in three places: your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), your device's built-in password manager (Windows Credential Manager, macOS Keychain, Android Password Manager), and third-party password managers you may have installed (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass). When you delete a password, you're removing it from one of these places — not from the website itself. The website still has your account; you're just removing the copy your device saved.

Most people delete passwords for one of two reasons: they want to stop a browser from auto-filling a password they no longer use, or they're preparing to sell or give away a device. The steps are different depending on which reason applies and which device you're using.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a saved password from your browser does not change your account password on the website — it only removes the stored copy from your device.
  • Each browser stores passwords differently: Chrome and Edge use the same method, Firefox has its own system, and Safari uses macOS Keychain.
  • If you're selling or giving away a device, delete passwords from your browser and your device's password manager before handing it over.
  • Third-party password managers like 1Password and Bitwarden have their own deletion steps separate from your browser.

Deleting passwords from Chrome or Edge

Open Chrome or Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Autofill and passwords in the left sidebar, then Passwords. You'll see a list of every website where you've saved a password.

Find the password you want to delete and click the three dots next to it. Select Delete. The password is now gone from your browser. If you want to delete all saved passwords at once, go back to Settings, click Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data, check the box for Passwords, and click Clear data. This removes all saved passwords from that browser profile.

Deleting passwords from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Logins and Passwords section and click Saved Logins.

Search for the password you want to remove or scroll through the list. Click the password entry and select Remove. To delete all saved passwords, click the menu button next to any entry and select Remove All. Firefox will ask you to confirm before deleting everything.

Deleting passwords from Safari on Mac or iPhone

On a Mac, open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar, then Settings. Click the Passwords tab. You'll see a list of saved passwords. Click the password you want to delete and press the Delete key, or right-click and select Delete.

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Passwords (or Passwords and Autofill depending on your iOS version), then tap Website & App Passwords. Find the password, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. Safari passwords sync across your Apple devices through iCloud, so deleting from one device removes it from all of them.

Removing passwords from Windows Credential Manager

Windows stores passwords in Credential Manager, a separate system from your browser. Open the Control Panel and search for Credential Manager. Click Manage web credentials to see passwords saved for websites, or Manage Windows credentials for network and app passwords.

Find the entry you want to delete, click the dropdown arrow next to it, and select Remove. Windows will ask you to confirm. This deletes the password from your device but does not affect your account on the website itself.

Removing passwords from third-party password managers

If you use 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, or another password manager, deleting a password from your browser does not delete it from the manager itself. You need to open the password manager separately and delete it there.

In most password managers, you open the app or browser extension, find the password in your vault, and click delete or remove. The exact steps vary: 1Password uses a trash icon, Bitwarden uses a delete button in the entry details, and LastPass uses a delete option in the right-click menu. Check your password manager's help section if you're unsure. Deleting from the password manager does not delete it from your browser — you may need to do both if you want it completely gone.

What to do before selling or giving away a device

If you're handing over a computer or phone, delete all saved passwords before you do. Start with your browser: delete all passwords from Chrome, Firefox, or Safari using the steps above. Then delete passwords from your device's password manager (Credential Manager on Windows, Keychain on Mac, or the built-in password manager on Android).

If you use a third-party password manager, sign out of it completely or uninstall it. The person receiving the device should not have access to your accounts. After deleting passwords, consider doing a full factory reset on the device if possible — this removes everything and gives the new owner a clean start. On Windows, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. On Mac, use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset. On iPhone, use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete a saved password, do I lose access to my account?

No. Deleting a saved password only removes the copy stored on your device. Your account on the website still exists and your password is unchanged. You can still log in by typing your password manually, or you can save it again the next time you log in.

Why does my password still appear after I deleted it?

You may have deleted it from your browser but not from your device's password manager, or vice versa. Check both places. If you use a third-party password manager, you need to delete it there separately. Also check whether you're synced across devices — deleting from one device may not remove it from others if you use cloud sync.

Can I delete just one password or do I have to delete them all?

You can delete individual passwords one at a time. All browsers and password managers let you select a single entry and remove it without touching the others. You only need to delete all passwords if you're preparing to give away the device or you want a completely fresh start.

What's the difference between deleting a password and logging out?

Logging out ends your current session on a website. Deleting a saved password removes the stored copy from your device so the browser won't auto-fill it next time. You can log out without deleting the password, or delete the password without logging out. For security, do both if you're leaving a shared device.