iOS 8 Simplifies App Login By Pulling Safari’s AutoFill Data

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Apple is making it easier to login and set up apps in iOS 8 with its new Continuity APIs. One of the new features allows iOS apps to access Safari’s stored usernames and passwords (from Safari’s AutoFill).

The feature was announced during one of Apple’s developer sessions at WWDC. 9to5Mac reports that Apple will allow its users to quickly login to an app that is associated with a website they previously visited. This feature will only work if you allow Safari to remember your credentials. 

For example, if you log in to PayPal using Safari on iOS or Mac OS X and opt to store your login credentials, your credentials can be used to log in to PayPal’s iOS app with one tap. 

The APIs will be available for all developers to use and integrate into their apps. However, the developer must associate their website with their app, which will give them the ability to request credentials that are saved in Safari. 

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 The process even works the other way. If a user is using the app when they first log in to the service, the apps can associate the users credentials to a website. This means, the next time the user wants to log in to the service using Safari they can do so with one tap.

Apple demonstrated this new feature with an app called “Shiny,” during one of its developer sessions at WWDC. The new continuity finally brings cross-app and cross-device communication to iOS with a heavy focus on security and privacy.

Apple’s new Continuity APIs for iOS and OS X aim to make the cross device experience even better. iOS 8 was announced at WWDC and will be available to the public this fall. 

[via 9to5Mac (Image Credit)]

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