How to Make 1Password the Default on Mac

Updated on:

April 15, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to make 1Password the default password manager on your Mac.

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This tutorial shows how to enable Universal Autofill in 1Password so you can fill saved logins in any app or browser on your Mac without opening 1Password.

Note: The 1Password desktop app must be installed. If you haven't installed it yet, see How to Install 1Password on Mac first.

Go to the System Settings app on your Mac. Alternatively, click the Apple menu and select "System Settings."
In the System Settings, click "Privacy & Security" in the sidebar, then click "Accessibility" in the list.
In Accessibility, click the toggle next to 1Password to turn it on, when prompted enter your Mac login password to confirm.
Note: If 1Password doesn't appear in the list, click the "+" button, locate 1Password in your Applications folder, and click "Open."‍
Open any app or browser - for example, the Zoom app and go to a sign-in page. Press Command + \ to trigger Universal Autofill and select your saved login. You can now use 1Password for Mac as the default to fill your usernames and passwords without opening the 1Password app.

📌 Why this matters

Making 1Password your default autofill saves you from the constant app-switching dance that breaks your workflow. Instead of interrupting what you're doing to hunt down passwords, you get seamless access with a simple keyboard shortcut. This becomes especially valuable when you're working across multiple apps simultaneously or dealing with less common applications that don't integrate well with browsers. You maintain momentum in your work while keeping your login security intact, turning password management from a productivity killer into an invisible helper.

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