This isn't the first time I'm blogging about a password generating tool, as I have blogged about Diceware 2months ago. I loved the whole experience, and time I had with it, and I suggest you to check them out.
In today's article, I will be introducing a similar project used for generating passwords. The app doesn't just generate an ordinary password, but, it also provides a friendly UI, and privacy options while generating the passphrases. This is one of the reasons it's titled Password Generator (Privacy Friendly).
Diceware looked so unique the very first time a came across it, and I believe there are still some features it has, that still makes it a unique password generating app. Nevertheless, the project hasn't received any development update over 5minths ago. The last commit came from me, where I suggested a feature. Its development journey looks boring to me, which was why I searched for an alternative tool for generating passwords.
I'm glad to have come across a tool called Password Generator. This project is an alternative to Diceware, and it's the main reason I have uninstalled Diceware for it.
As usual, it's an Android application, and also an open source project. I fell in love with it after seeing how active its repository is. The current version is Password Generator (Privacy Friendly) v1.0.3 , which was released 5days ago. Before then, the initial release was Privacy Friendly Password Generator v1.0.2, which was released on the 19th of March 2019. The developer was able to release two different versions within 9days. This shows how hardworking the developer is, and how active the project is.
I installed it from Playstore because it has the updated version. This is not always the same case with some of the projects I have used. Most times, their Playstore file isn't always updated.
After downloading Password Generator (Privacy Friendly) v1.0.3, its time for installation. It's at this point I started loving the whole feature. The images below are the three steps shown during installation.
This isn't the first app I will use that will briefly Introduce itself to its users while the installation process is ongoing. I appreciate the developer for using a readable text color on a cool background, as most developers have little, or no idea on how to combine both text and background color. Password Generator is cool with its colors, and I give kudos to the developer.
After the three steps from the images above, I was shown the home screen where passwords are being generated, and displayed. I wasn't ready to generate any password, as I was expecting a permission request from app to use the internet, or my device storage. I didn't get any permission request from the app. I was thrilled with how Password Generator seamlessly performs its functions without those permissions.
The home screen has there default files on the home screen. The first step I took was to delete them, so that I can generate new passwords. I thought this was going to be an easy task as a new user.
The first lesson I learned was that, the process taken to delete a file from this page is different. Tapping, or long pressing on a file to see the delete option, gives a different intent. Long pressing on a file is equivalent to editing the file. While, tapping on a file prompts an option to generate, and to copy the generated password.
These were not what I intended on doing. The situation got two questions roaming in my head; "How can I delete a file?", Or isn't it possible to delete a file?
I spent about a minute trying to figure out the trick. I had to check the help option from the navigation button. Then, I got to know that, Swiping a file from right to left deletes the file, but, swiping from left to right does nothing. I hereby once again give kudos to the developer for including a help option to the app. It helped me a lot.
I deleted the whole default files on the home screen which the new trick I learned. The next mission was to generate a password. Generating a password on Password Generator is easier, and straight forward to when generating with Diceware password generator.
The image below is a screenshot from Diceware app showing the different options to generate a password. Believe me, these options are a bit complicated.
Generating with Password Generator only requests for;
- An account name
- A username (optional)
And an option to pick if the password to be generated should include;
- Lowercase (abc)
- Uppercase (ABC)
- Numbers (123)
- Special (+!#)
And finally, a slider to choose the length of the password ( 4 to 25 ).
You might be wondering, why didn't I drop a screenshot for Password Generator? Well, due to security reasons, taking a screenshot from the app is not allowed. Although, there ought to be an option in settings to enable, or disable this feature.
After using Password Generator, then I realized the unique features it uses to surpass Diceware password generator. With Password Generator, I was able to save all generated passwords, which isn't possible with Diceware.
The ability for Diceware to save generated password was suggested by me over a month ago. Although, my suggestion wasn't considered to be implemented.
Nevertheless, I am glad to know that Password Generator has the feature already.
Password Generator is developed in such a way that, if a user has lots of passwords saved, locating a specific password won't be an issue with the help of a search button.
Finally, there are a few things I don't like about Password Generator. First is the style of deleting a password file. Swiping from right to left deletes a password file instantly without asking the user to verify the action. Also, not being able to take a screenshot from the app is a good idea, but, not being able to disable the feature isn't friendly.
Conclusion
Password Generator is one of the latest Android tools to generate strong passwords. There are many awesome features available in this that will surely make its users love it. Despite the few things I don't like about it, I still prefer it over other password generators.
If you want a feature to be implemented alongside the project next release, don't waste time by suggesting it on the project's repo, as the developers of the project are extremely active. The latest version is V1.0.3 as I have stated in the 4th paragraph of this article.
Thank you for stopping by. Bye.