This post explains how to disable PIN requirement for Chrome Saved Passwords. Google has recently announced that it is going to add new security features to the built-in Password Manager in its Chrome browser. One such feature is the availability of biometric authentication in the desktop version of Chrome. This feature allows Chrome users to use Windows Hello sign-in methods (PIN/biometrics) to reveal saved credentials in Chrome’s password manager app.
Google is slowly rolling out the feature to the stable version of Chrome. Devices that have integrated or connected biometric authentication systems will be able to use their biometrics (facial/fingerprint recognition) to access their credentials saved in Chrome’s password manager. Other devices can use Windows Hello PIN. While the feature has been added as a security layer to prevent someone else from automatically filling in your passwords in Chrome in your absence, you may find it annoying when it comes as a surprise to you.
How to disable PIN Requirement for Chrome Saved Passwords
When the feature is enabled, Chrome asks you to enter your Windows Hello PIN/biometrics to authenticate your identity before it automatically fills in your passwords on websites or forms. But if you do not share your device with others and find the prompt unnecessary, you can disable it from Chrome’s Settings page.
Disable Windows Hello while filling in passwords
To disable the Windows Hello prompt from appearing when Chrome tries to autofill passwords, follow these steps:
Click on the three-dots icon in the top right corner of your browser window. Select Settings. Click on Autofill and passwords in the left panel (second option from the top). In the right panel, click on the Password Manager option.
On the Password Manager settings page, locate the Use Windows Hello when filling passwords option.
Click on the toggle button next to the option. Windows Hello Prompt will appear. Enter your PIN to verify your identification. The prompt will disappear.
Once you switch off the toggle button next to the ‘Use Windows Hello when filling passwords’ option, Chrome won’t prompt you for PIN/biometrics authentication before automatically filling in your passwords.
Enable Windows Hello while filling in passwords
You might, later on, want to re-enable the setting to prevent others from using your Chrome saved passwords in your absence. To do so, follow these steps:
Go to the Password Manager page in Chrome’s settings as explained above. Alternatively, type in chrome://settings/passwords in the address bar of your browser.
Click on the toggle next to the ‘Use Windows Hello when filling passwords’ option. Windows Hello prompt will appear.
Enter your PIN to verify your identity. As you finish typing the PIN, the prompt will disappear and the option will be enabled.
Turn Off Windows Biometric Authentication in Google Chrome
Biometric authentication is designed to keep Password Manager secure. But if want to remove the option from your browser’s Settings page, you may use Chrome flags. Here’s how:
Type chrome://flags/ in the address bar of your Chrome browser. Type ‘biometric’ in the search bar on top. Biometric authentication reauth before filling flag will show up in search results.
Click on the dropdown next to the option and select Disabled. Relaunch Chrome to save changes.
Once you disable this flag, the ‘Use Windows Hello when filling passwords‘ option will no longer appear in Chrome Settings.
Note: If you can’t find this option in your Chrome browser but want to have it, you might need to update the browser to the latest version. If it is already up-to-date, Google is probably taking some time to roll it out to your device. If you cannot wait for Google to make it available to your device, you can enable it in Chrome using experimental flags. Visit chrome://flags/#biometric-authentication-in-settings and select Enabled in the dropdown next to the Biometric authentication reauth before filling option.
I hope this helps.
Read: How to enable Memory Saver Mode in Chrome.
How do I get Chrome to stop asking me to save password?
To stop Google Chrome from asking you to save your passwords, you can modify Password Manager settings in the browser. Click on the three-dots icon in the top right corner of Chrome and select Settings. Then go to Autofill and passwords > Password Manager. Click on the toggle next to the Offer to save passwords option to turn the feature off.
How do I turn off automatic password entry?
To turn off automatic password entry in Google Chrome, you need to disable the auto sign-in option. Go to the Chrome Settings page and click on Autofill and passwords in the left menu. Then click on the Password Manager option on the right. On the next screen, click on the toggle next to the Auto sign-in option. The feature will turn off.
Read Next: Google Chrome not saving passwords on Windows.
