LastPass to Support Android O's Autofill API, Promises Improved Functionality

Google released the first developer preview of its next operating system Android O last month for early app devs and OEMs. One of the many highlighted features of Android O is the Autofill API, which lets apps fill text fields on their own. This functionality could very well be used by password managers, and within a few days post the release, LastPass has announced it is working on Autofill API integration to let users get improved autofilling of password, address, card and other forms on devices running Android O.

LastPass is a password management service that lets you save your passwords, card forms, addresses, and card details. With the Autofill API, LastPass will help "save you even more time on your Android device, because [LastPass will] be able to help you fill in more than just passwords." Besides, LastPass also looks to ramp up the security features through this feature. LastPass currently relies on the Accessibility API to fill up the text fields. However, it comes with two drawbacks, as explained by LastPass - it's more processor-intensive (i.e., time-taking), and requires users to grant additional permissions.

The Autofill API feature will also let you make payments via your credit card forms stored in LastPass, for instance paying on Amazon via credit card will automatically fill card details to take you further to order the preferred item. LastPass has said to roll out this feature to Android O running devices in a few months, meanwhile working on an updated version of LastPass to incorporate the integration with Android O's Autofill API.

Recently, LastPass came under criticism for having vulnerabilities in its browser extensions, spotted by a Google researcher. The company later released statements saying that it is aware of the vulnerabilities and working on fixes.