How to Edit Safari Suggested Passwords for Site Criteria

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Safari’s suggested passwords are strong and secure, but sometimes a website requires a specific format—like a minimum length, a special character, or no repeated characters. This guide shows you how to edit the suggested password in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac so you can meet those site-specific criteria while keeping your login secure.

What You’ll Need

A device running a recent version of Safari (iOS 12+, iPadOS, or macOS).
Access to the website’s sign-up or change-password form.
iCloud Keychain enabled (Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain) to save your edited password.

Step-by-Step

On iPhone or iPad

Open Safari and go to the site’s sign-up or password change page.
Tap the password field. Safari will show a yellow or black “Strong Password” suggestion above the keyboard.
Tap the suggested password (the one that appears in a bar above the keyboard). It will fill the field, and Safari will show a prompt like “Use Strong Password?”
Before tapping “Use Strong Password,” tap the password field again to place the cursor inside it.
Tap the “X” or “Clear” button on the keyboard to delete the suggested password.
Type your own password that meets the site’s criteria. To make it strong, include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
When you tap “Use Strong Password” (or “Choose My Own Password” if offered), Safari will save the password you typed to iCloud Keychain.
Complete the form and submit. Safari will offer to save the new password—tap “Save Password.”

On Mac

Open Safari and navigate to the sign-up or password change page.
Click the password field. Safari will show a yellow “Strong Password” suggestion in a dropdown.
Click the suggested password to fill it. A popover will appear asking if you want to use it.
Instead of clicking “Use Strong Password,” click outside the popover to dismiss it, then select the password text in the field and delete it.
Type your own password that meets the site’s criteria. Use a mix of character types.
After you submit the form, Safari will ask if you want to save the password. Click “Save Password.”

Editing an Existing Saved Password

Go to Settings > Passwords (iPhone/iPad) or Safari > Settings > Passwords (Mac) and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password.
Find the website entry and tap or click it.
Tap “Edit” (iOS) or click the password field (Mac).
Enter the new password that meets the site’s criteria.
Tap “Done” or click “Save.” The updated password is now stored in iCloud Keychain.

Common Mistakes

Not clearing the suggested password before typing: If you don’t delete it, Safari may overwrite your typed password with the original suggestion.
Ignoring the site’s requirements: Some sites have specific rules (e.g., must include a number, no more than 2 identical characters in a row). Read the site’s password criteria before typing.
Using a password that’s too similar to an old one: Many sites block passwords that are too close to your previous one. Make a significant change.
Forgetting to save after editing: If you don’t confirm the save prompt, the edited password won’t be stored, and you’ll be locked out later.

Tips

Use a passphrase: a random sequence of words with numbers and symbols is both strong and memorable (e.g., “Blue!Frog42#Jump”).
If a site requires a maximum length, keep it under that limit but still use a mix of characters.
Use Safari’s password generator as a base: it often includes a hyphen and numbers. You can tweak it slightly to meet site rules.
If you’re editing a saved password, ensure you’re logged into iCloud Keychain on all your devices so the change syncs.

Troubleshooting

No password suggestion appears: This can happen if the site doesn’t support password autofill or if the field is not recognized. Try clicking into the field again or reloading the page.
Safari keeps reverting to the suggested password: After typing your own, check that the field shows your text. If it reverts, delete the suggestion first, then type.
Site says password doesn’t meet criteria even though it does: Double-check for hidden rules like “must not contain your username” or “must include a special character from a specific set.”
Edited password not saving: Make sure you’re signed into iCloud Keychain and that you tap “Save” when prompted. If it still fails, manually add the password in Settings > Passwords.
Password sync issues across devices: Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain and toggle “Sync this iPhone” off and on, then wait a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a suggested password before it’s saved?

Yes. When Safari suggests a password, you can delete it and type your own before clicking “Use Strong Password.” Safari will save the one you typed.

Will editing a password make it less secure?

Not necessarily. As long as you use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, and it’s at least 12 characters long, it can be just as secure as Safari’s suggestion.

How do I change a saved password for a site?

Go to Settings > Passwords (iOS) or Safari > Settings > Passwords (Mac), find the site, tap Edit, and enter the new password. Then save.

Why does Safari sometimes not offer to save my edited password?

This can happen if the site’s form is not recognized as a password form, or if you’re using a private browsing window. Try reloading the page and submitting again.

Can I use the same password for multiple sites?

Technically yes, but it’s risky. If one site is breached, all your accounts are vulnerable. Better to use unique passwords for each site.

What if the site’s criteria are very strict (e.g., no symbols)?

Then create a long passphrase using only letters and numbers, but make it longer (e.g., 16+ characters) to compensate for the lack of symbols.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.