Android · Privacy & Security
Reveal characters while typing passwords
Controls whether password characters briefly appear on screen as you type them, instead of being immediately masked as dots, making it easier to verify accurate entry.
How to open Show Passwords Toggle
- Open Settings → Security & privacy (or Accessibility)
- Find 'Show passwords' or 'Make passwords visible'
- Toggle the setting on or off
- Test by typing into any password field to confirm the behavior
What you should know
- When enabled, each typed character is shown briefly before being masked
- Helps reduce failed login attempts caused by typos
- Can be disabled for added privacy in public settings
- Located in Privacy or Accessibility settings depending on Android version
Why it matters
This setting balances usability against shoulder-surfing risk. Showing typed characters briefly reduces frustrating failed login attempts, especially on small keyboards or complex passwords with mixed symbols, but it also means anyone glancing at the screen during entry could catch a glimpse of the password. Users in public or shared spaces often prefer to disable this, while those in private settings may keep it on for convenience.
Best practices
- Disable this setting in public or shared environments to reduce shoulder-surfing risk
- Keep it enabled at home if you frequently mistype long passwords
- Use it alongside a password manager's autofill to reduce manual typing overall
Common problems and fixes
- Password characters flash too briefly to read
- This is expected behavior for security; each character is shown only momentarily before masking.
- Setting doesn't appear in Settings search
- Check under Accessibility or Security settings, as its exact location varies by Android version and manufacturer.
- Passwords still appear masked even with the toggle on
- Some apps override system-level display settings with their own password field behavior.
Tips and tricks
- Turn this off before using your phone in crowded public places like transit
- Use biometric login where available to avoid typing passwords altogether
Frequently asked questions
Does this reveal saved passwords stored elsewhere?
No, this only affects the brief on-screen display while actively typing a password, not stored credential visibility.
Is this the same as viewing saved passwords in Password Manager?
No, viewing saved passwords is a separate action requiring authentication, distinct from this typing-display toggle.
Does disabling it improve security significantly?
It reduces shoulder-surfing risk during entry but doesn't affect password strength or storage encryption.
Related settings
- Autofill ServiceThe Autofill Service setting selects which app, such as Google Password Manager or a third-party password manager, automatically fills in saved passwords, addresses, and payment details across apps and browsers.
- Security & Screen LockScreen lock is the first line of defense for everything on your phone, letting you choose a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric unlock like a fingerprint or face. It also determines whether your device's backups and stored data are encrypted, since Android ties encryption strength to having a real screen lock set.
- Privacy DashboardThe Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of exactly which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location, and when — so you can spot anything unexpected at a glance.
More Privacy & Security guides for Android
- App PermissionsApp permissions control what each app is allowed to access — camera, microphone, location, contacts, and more. You can review and change these at any time, per app or per permission type.
- LocationLocation settings control the master switch for GPS and location-based features, plus how accurately your device estimates its position using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning. Turning location off device-wide overrides any individual app's permission, cutting off maps, weather, and other location-aware features at once.
- Emergency SOS & SafetyEmergency SOS lets you quickly call for help and automatically share your location with emergency contacts and first responders by pressing the power button rapidly, without needing to unlock the phone first. The broader Personal Safety app builds on this with features like Safety Check, Crisis Alerts, and Car Crash Detection on supported devices.
- Lock Screen Notification PrivacyDetermines whether notification content, sender names, and previews appear on the lock screen before the phone is unlocked, or whether they're hidden until authentication.
- Usage & Diagnostics Data SharingUsage & diagnostics controls whether the device automatically sends crash reports, performance data, and feature usage statistics to Google to help improve Android and pre-installed apps.
- Camera & Microphone Access ToggleQuick privacy toggles that disable camera and microphone access system-wide for every app at once, overriding individual app permissions until switched back on.