Android apps

Unlike AgileBits' paid 1Password Pro for iOS, the free Android-based 1PasswordReader relies on you already having the desktop version — a paid full version is promised soon. This is as basic as software gets, with a simple menu screen to indicate where you’ve left your 1Password data, either on an SD card or via Dropbox. We had problems getting Dropbox to play nicely with our test data set, as it presumes a default folder location. It’s also a read-only solution at the moment, so all you can do is check your current passwords, but not create or modify existing ones.

MobileKnox is ad-supported via AdMob, which is distracting when you’re trying to deal with security issues and being inundated with ads for games. That aside, it’s a rather plain utility concentrating just on password storage. There are no additional field types and even when categorising content, you have to create the content yourself. One odd feature is that it allows you to use passwords that have been used nearby. That’s an unusual feature, presumably for passwords for login doors and the like, but it’s also a premium feature that you only get limited access to with the free client.

KeePassDroid offers a fairly simple interface for loading existing full KeePass files from your Android phone’s storage, or creating new ones. It’s not the prettiest interface, but it covers the basics of keeping your data secure and being able to easily launch URLs from within the application; however, this is via the standard Android browser rather than a reskin within the application itself. Given that it’s as free as KeePass itself and offers simple synchronicity — and it works — we can live with the slightly ugly UI.

Having reviewed PC (Windows) and iOS password managers elsewhere, it would be remiss of us to ignore Android phones and tablets, where the need is just as important. Like other password managers,  they allow you to use, but not have to remember, highly secure and different passwords for every account you log into. However, the apps vary significantly, so here we review three free Android password apps to help you make your decision.