1Password finally rolls out support for Linux computers

Popular password manager service 1Password has rolled out an official desktop client for Linux devices, bringing support for syncing and managing their logins and credentials securely from a native app. With the addition of a Linux app, the password manager is now supported across all the major desktop computing platforms, aside from Windows and macOS, along with support for mobile devices.

Read more: 1Password for iOS gets first 2021 update with important security and bug fixes

For years now, 1Password users who used Linux computers relied on the command line interface, or ‘1Password X’ which is the company’s browser extension that provides for autofill support. However, this was a far cry from the full-featured desktop clients on Windows and macOS. 

The arrival of a native desktop app for Linux means users can now perform additional tasks like exporting passwords, better on-device security, easier Vault management, automatically unlocking with your system password and more.

Written completely in Rust (a memory-safe language unlike C) the new 1Password app for Linux makes use of the ring crypto library to keep users data safe using end-to-end encryption. 1Password uses the same zero-knowledge policy to ensure they don’t have access to user passwords or other secrets inside their Vaults. 

The desktop app will also unlock the 1Password X extension in your browser for added convenience. Users will also be able to use fingerprint sensors and their Linux login password to unlock the app – the first login after you start your computer will still need your master password. 

The team behind the password manager also stated that it was giving back to the open-source community, which it has provided with free 1Password accounts in the past. “1Password developed the new platform with this community in mind, using a number of incredible open technologies such as Rust, Ring Crypto and Electron,” the company said, adding that it has also shared the libraries it has used to secure the new app with the open-source community.

Also read: Microsoft Edge browser now in beta testing for Linux computers

Users can download the latest 1Password for Linux release by visiting the company’s website and then picking the operating system they want to use. If you use Debian or Ubuntu you can download and install the .deb package, while CentOS, Fedora, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux users can download and install the .rpm package instead. If you use any other distribution, you can download a compressed portable version of the app, or use the Snap Store to download 1Password for your Linux distribution.