How to Use Bitwarden: The Complete Setup Guide for 2026

Bitwarden is the password manager we recommend to almost everyone. It is completely free for unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, it is open source, and it has been independently audited. The only barrier for most people is getting set up. This guide walks you through everything from account creation to daily use.

Step 1: Create your account

Go to bitwarden.com and click Get Started. You will need an email address and a master password. Your master password is critically important — it is the one password you need to remember and it cannot be recovered if forgotten. Use a memorable passphrase of four or more random words rather than a complex string of characters. Write it down and store it somewhere physically secure.

Step 2: Install the browser extension

The browser extension is where you will interact with Bitwarden most frequently. Install it from your browser extension store — available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave. Log in with your new account credentials. The extension icon appears in your toolbar and allows one-click autofill on any website.

Step 3: Import your existing passwords

If you have been saving passwords in Chrome or Safari, you can export them and import them into Bitwarden. In Chrome: Settings → Passwords → three-dot menu → Export. In Safari: Passwords → Export All. In Bitwarden: Tools → Import Data → select your browser → upload the file. Your existing passwords are now in Bitwarden.

Step 4: Install on mobile

Download Bitwarden from the App Store or Google Play. Log in and enable biometric unlock — Face ID or fingerprint — so you do not need to type your master password every time. In your phone settings, set Bitwarden as the default autofill service so it offers to fill passwords in apps and mobile websites.

Step 5: Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication means that even if someone knows your master password, they cannot access your vault without a second verification step. In Bitwarden settings, enable two-factor authentication using an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator. Scan the QR code and save your recovery codes somewhere safe.

Daily use

Once set up, Bitwarden largely runs itself. When you log into a website, the extension detects the login form and offers to autofill. When you create a new account, use the password generator to create a unique strong password — Bitwarden saves it automatically. The vault view shows all your passwords, organised by folder if you choose to categorise them.