How to fill out passwords and forms with Bitwarden

If you use Bitwarden daily, you're probably most interested in this. How to fill out passwords and forms in the fastest and most secure way possibleBitwarden has quite a few hidden tricks for autofilling logins, cards, identities, and even TOTP codes, both in the browser and on mobile, but many of these options are not obvious at first glance.

In this comprehensive guide you will see, in detail and in Spanish (Spain), All the ways to fill in passwords with BitwardenFrom the floating menu within browser fields, to keyboard shortcuts and the context menu, to autocomplete on Android and iOS, the use of passkeys, and security warnings with iframes or HTTP pages. You'll also learn how to prevent the password generator from interfering where it shouldn't and what to do if Bitwarden behaves differently from other password managers you've tried.

How Bitwarden's autocomplete works in the browser

The Bitwarden browser extension works with a single-tab view that automatically detects the page's URL (URI) where you are. This means that, if you navigate to google.com, for example, the extension identifies that domain and searches your vault for all items that have a URI that matches that page, according to the matching rules you have configured.

When Bitwarden finds logins related to the current site, the The extension icon displays a small overlay counter indicating how many logins you have available for that website. This way, you can see at a glance whether the password is already saved or if you'll need to create a new entry in the vault.

When you open the extension and select one of the logins shown on the main tab, Bitwarden automatically fills in username and password in the detected fields from the form. If you have several saved logins for that domain, the extension will automatically fill in the last one you used for that page, which is very convenient when switching between several accounts on the same service.

If a vault item does not have a saved URI, you can also autocomplete it manually from the vault view (or "My Safe") using the autocomplete button of the item itself, although in that case Bitwarden will not be able to activate automatically when the page loads.

The Bitwarden extension is available for most common browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Safari, Vivaldi, Brave and Tor (In these last three, only the most recent version). This allows the same autocomplete flow to be applied to virtually any desktop environment.

Online autofill menu: the new menu within the fields

One of the most recent additions is the online autofill menuA small Bitwarden icon appears directly within the username and password fields. This menu was launched in late 2023 and has become the most convenient method for many users because avoids having to manually open the extension at each login.

To activate this online menu in the browser extension, you need to Log in and unlock the extensionGo to Settings → Autofill and look for the option "Show autofill in form fields". In that dropdown menu, you can choose your preferred behavior: always show the menu, only under certain conditions, or disable it if you don't like it.

It is highly recommended to disable the browser's native autocomplete feature, because The built-in password manager may conflict with Bitwarden's online menuIn Chrome and Brave, there is even a specific option in the extension, "Override browser autofill settings," which forces the browser's autofill to be disabled to prevent overlaps and duplicate suggestions.

Once activated, simply press the Bitwarden icon that appears within the login fieldIf the vault is locked, the menu will prompt you to unlock it first. Once you do, you'll see a list of available users for that site; simply choose the one you want, and Bitwarden will fill in the details instantly.

If you don't have any saved credentials for that page, the menu offers the option to create a new element from scratch directly in the extensionThis way you can save username, password and URI in the same flow without leaving the site where you are registering or changing your password.

Autofill using the right-click context menu

Another very practical way to use Bitwarden without opening the extension is the context menuIf you right-click on a username, password, or any other compatible input field, you'll see the path Bitwarden → Autofill, from which you can select the element to use.

This method is useful when the online icon does not appear or when You prefer not to have additional visual elements in the form fieldsIf the safe is locked, attempting to autofill from the context menu will open a window asking you to unlock it; then, the extension will automatically fill in the username, password, or even card and identity details if applicable.

Bitwarden takes security very seriously, that's why the extensions They display warnings before autocomplete within iframes considered untrustworthy. or on HTTP pages when HTTPS is expected, based on the saved URIs of the element. These alerts are also displayed when autocomplete comes from the context menu.

Keyboard shortcuts for filling in passwords on the fly

If you're one of those who prefer the keyboard to the mouse, Bitwarden offers keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) specific to autocomplete in the browser extension. They are very convenient when you spend a good part of the day visiting websites that require authentication.

The default shortcut to autocomplete the active login is as follows: Ctrl + Shift + L on Windows and Linux, and Cmd + Shift + L on macOSWhen you press it, the extension attempts to populate the last login used that matches the current URI. If you have multiple logins for the same website, you can press the shortcut multiple times to switch between them.

If the shortcut doesn't respond, it's most likely that another application in the system is using that same combinationFor example, on Windows, AMD Radeon Adrenaline drivers often lock onto that shortcut, preventing Bitwarden from using it. In those cases, you'll need to release the shortcut in the other application or assign a different shortcut to the extension.

The way to change shortcuts varies depending on the browser. Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers (Brave, Vivaldi, etc.) you have to go to chrome://extensions/shortcuts (or the equivalent URL, such as brave://extensions/shortcuts). FirefoxTo do this, type about:addons in the address bar, click on the gear icon next to "Manage your extensions" and then on "Manage extension shortcuts".

In some browsers, such as Safari and Edge do not currently allow changing default shortcuts of the extensions, so you have to work with those that are already configured by the browser itself and the extension.

Autofill automatically when the page loads

In addition to manual methods, the Bitwarden extension offers an optional feature called "Autofill on page load"When enabled, Bitwarden automatically fills in login details as soon as a page loads that matches the URI saved in an item in your vault.

To activate it, enter the extension and go to Settings → AutofillThere you'll find the "Autofill on page load" box. When you check it, you must choose the default behavior: you can have it enabled for all logins and then manually disable it for some, or vice versa, have it disabled except for the specific logins where you want it to work.

This flexibility allows you to configure things like Autocomplete only on a few trusted websites (for example, internal company services) or allow it on almost everything except on very sensitive pages where you prefer to do it manually every time.

For each individual login, within the element itself, you can adjust the specific autocomplete behavior when the page loads. This allows you to mark some logins as "always autocomplete" and others as "never autocomplete," regardless of the global setting.

If the login doesn't have a saved URI, autocomplete on loading won't work, but you can always Use the AutoFill button from the vault view to fill in the fields manually once you are on the correct page.

TOTP autocomplete and handling of unreliable iframes

If you use Bitwarden's built-in authenticator, extensions may automatically fill in the TOTP code (temporary one-time key) along with the username and password. This happens when you use the context menu, keyboard shortcuts, or manual autocomplete.

However, for security reasons, when using the option to Bitwarden does not automatically populate the TOTP when the page loads.In these cases, it is advisable to take advantage of the fact that, by default, the TOTP is copied to the clipboard when a login is auto-completed, and paste it manually into the appropriate field.

Regarding iframes, Bitwarden considers those for which The value of the src attribute does not match the URI associated with the login elementThis depends on the global or specific URL matching settings. In these iframes, autocomplete on page load is silently disabled.

If you still force manual autocomplete within that iframe (using a keyboard shortcut, context menu, or from the extension), The extension will show you a warning. to make you aware that you are entering your credentials in a potentially insecure environment, which reduces the risk of embedded phishing attacks.

Use of cards and identities to fill out forms

Bitwarden can do more than just save usernames and passwords. manages payment cards and full identities (Name, address, phone number, etc.) that you can autofill in purchase or registration forms. This makes paying or opening new accounts much faster.

In the browser extension, both cards and identities appear in the Main tab viewprovided you haven't hidden them in the settings. When you select a card or identity, the extension searches for the form fields that correspond to each piece of information and fills them in automatically.

If you prefer not to have these autocomplete options visible, you can go to the extension to Settings → Options, in the "Other" sectionand uncheck the boxes "Show cards in tab" and/or "Show identities in tab". This way, even though they're still saved in your vault, they won't appear as quick suggestions.

You can also use the context menu by right-clicking on a form field to Autofill cards and identities without opening the extensionThe mechanism is the same as for logins: right click, Bitwarden → Autofill, unlock if necessary, and that's it.

Autocomplete with Bitwarden on Android

On Android, the Bitwarden app allows your credentials to be autofill in apps and browsersThis avoids the typical copy-and-paste routine. Depending on the Android version, several methods are available: autofill service, online autofill (integrated into the keyboard), accessibility, and draw-over (drawing on top of other apps).

When you've logged in with multiple Bitwarden accounts on your mobile, the app tries Fill in the active account credentials At that moment. If you want to switch accounts while autofilling, you can tap the avatar bubble and choose another associated account.

The primary method on Android 8 or higher is the system self-filling serviceWhen you focus on a username or password field in an app or browser, a pop-up window appears with autofill options. If your vault is locked, you'll need to unlock it first. You'll then see, for example, an option to fill in the first matching login and another that opens a list of logins with corresponding URIs for you to choose from.

To activate this service, open the Bitwarden app, go to Settings → Autofill → Autofill services and enable "Autofill service". Android will take you to the system settings, where you should select Bitwarden as the autofill service. The system will ask you to confirm that you trust Bitwarden to read the screen content and know when to offer autofill.

If the autofill service is not working correctly, Bitwarden offers specific documentation for troubleshooting autofill service issues where frequent cases such as conflicts with other services, permissions, or manufacturer customization layers are reviewed.

Online autofill, accessibility, and draw-over in Android

In addition to the basic service, devices with Android 11 or higher can use the inline autofill integrated into the keyboardprovided that the input method editor (the keyboard app) supports it and the autofill service is enabled.

With this option, the autofill service overlay no longer appears as a floating pop-up and It integrates directly into the keyboard areaThis makes the experience smoother. To activate it, go back to Settings → Autofill → Autofill services within Bitwarden and enable "Use online autofill".

If the suggestion doesn't move to the keyboard after activating it, it's most likely that The keyboard you are using may not be compatible with Inline AutofillIn that case, you would have to change your keyboard or continue using the traditional autofill service.

Another available method is to AccessibilityWhen activated, Bitwarden overlays a pop-up window when it detects a relevant input field on the screen, offering to open the vault and review matching logins. To enable it, in the Bitwarden app go to Settings → Autofill → Autofill services and turn on "Use accessibility"; Android will take you to the accessibility services screen where you must allow Bitwarden access.

In Android versions 6 and higher, the accessibility method requires the option to draw-over other applicationsThis feature allows Bitwarden to display an overlay window with login suggestions. It can also be enabled from Settings → Autofill → Autofill services, by checking "Use draw-over" and granting permission to the apps in the list that can draw over others.

Bitwarden on iOS: Enable AutoFill and Biometrics

On iPhone and iPad, Bitwarden integrates with the system through the feature iOS "Autofill Passwords"This allows you to use Bitwarden as your primary password provider in Safari and other compatible apps.

To activate it, you have to go to the iOS Settings app → Passwords → Autofill PasswordsThere, you must activate the AutoFill master switch and select Bitwarden from the "Allow fill from" list. A check mark next to the name will indicate that Bitwarden will be the primary filler.

When creating new logins in the Bitwarden mobile app, it's important that Fill in the URI field with the URL of the website or app schemaso that the credentials appear in iOS autofill suggestions right where you need them.

Bitwarden also allows unlock the vault using Touch ID or Face IDThis makes everyday use much easier. To enable it, in the Bitwarden app, go to Settings → Account Security and activate "Unlock with Touch ID" or "Unlock with Face ID" depending on your device. You'll need to confirm your fingerprint or face, and from then on you can use the biometric method to both open Bitwarden and log in via AutoFill.

The typical flow on iOS is very simple: you tap the username or password field in an app or website, tap "Passwords" on the keyboard, You confirm with Face ID/Touch ID or enter your master passwordYou choose the login associated with the URI, and iOS automatically fills in the fields with the data provided by Bitwarden.

Basic browser authentication and Bitwarden

Some websites and services do not display normal HTML forms, but rather browser windows. “basic” or “native” authentication (the typical username and password pop-up dialog that the browser itself launches). Bitwarden can also handle these cases.

When there is only one login with a matching URI for the site requesting basic authentication, the Bitwarden extension automatically fills in those credentials in the background. You won't see a special banner; the dialog box will simply complete and the information will be sent. By default, this type of autocomplete uses the "Host" URI matching option for greater accuracy.

If there are multiple logins with matching URIs for that basic authentication, the extension cannot decide which one to use, so It doesn't autocomplete and you'll have to manually copy and paste your username and password. from the Bitwarden extension or app.

When configured correctly, you can also use the button "Launch" of the extension to automatically open a URL protected by basic authentication and complete the login without additional steps.

Configure the browser extension for convenient and secure use

To get the most out of autocomplete, it's a good idea to do a little Initial configuration of the Bitwarden extension in the primary browser you use daily. This includes organizing your vault, fine-tuning security, and disabling the browser's built-in managers.

A first recommendation is to create folders to organize your logins (For example, "Social Media," "Banking," "Work"). From the extension's Settings tab, you can create new folders, name them, and then assign each login to the corresponding folder. This makes finding items in your vault easier when you're not relying on autocomplete.

Another recommended practice is to replace weak passwords with generated ones. The typical workflow is: You log in to the site, go to the password change page, and copy your current password from Bitwarden.You generate a new one from the generate icon within the login element (accepting to overwrite the old one), save and paste the new key into the "New password" and "Confirm" fields of the site.

To facilitate frequent vault unlocking, you can activate a PIN or biometric unlock In the extension, under the Settings tab, within Security, select "Unlock with PIN" and enter your desired code (it doesn't have to be numeric). Some systems can also integrate with the operating system's biometric mechanisms.

Finally, it is highly advisable pin (anchor) the Bitwarden icon to the toolbar Add the password manager to your browser to keep it readily available, and completely disable the built-in password manager. Otherwise, you could end up with duplicate passwords across multiple sites and confusing pop-ups.

Disable browser password saving

Almost all modern browsers include a Built-in password manager that saves usernames and passwords on its ownSecurity experts often recommend disabling it in favor of dedicated managers like Bitwarden, which offer end-to-end encryption and many more control features.

In Firefox, for example, you need to go to Preferences → Privacy and security Then look for the "Logins and Passwords" section. There, uncheck all options related to saving or autofilling credentials. Afterward, from "Saved Logins," you can review which passwords the browser has stored, export them if you haven't already transferred them to Bitwarden, and delete them once everything is migrated.

In Safari, from the preferences menu, go to the tab "Autofill" Uncheck the pre-selected boxes related to autofilling data. Then visit the "Passwords" tab to see which logins have been saved, transfer them to Bitwarden by creating new entries, and delete the passwords from Safari to avoid duplicates.

Vivaldi and other Chromium-based browsers like Brave have similar options within their settings. Privacy or PasswordsNormally, it is enough to uncheck "Save website passwords" and, if there are saved passwords, delete them after importing or recreating them in Bitwarden.

In Tor, logins are not saved by default unless you have manually enabled this feature, so in most cases you won't need to do anything. DuckDuckGo, on the other hand, allows you to disable its autofill system from Settings → Autofill, export passwords if you want to keep a backup, and clear stored data. On macOS, you can also... Choose Bitwarden as your preferred manager in integration with compatible browsers.

With all of the above configured, Bitwarden becomes the central piece of your password management: It automatically fills in the required areas and alerts you to potential risks.It allows you to control what gets completed and when, and integrates on both desktop and mobile with multiple autofill methods to suit your preferences and the level of comfort or security you seek on a daily basis.