This article is an iOS 8 Tip that shows how to use extensions in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. iOS 8 was released the same time that Apple announced the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. With all these announcements, one of the incredible features of iOS 8 is extensions. Extensions allow apps to use features and functionality of other apps without leaving the current app. This increases productivity across any app that takes advantage of extensions.

One of my favorite uses of extensions is in the Safari app. For years now I have used the 1Password app (it is by far the best password manager app out there that used to cost $19.99 but is now free – get it here: 1Password App). In the past, I have had to copy and paste passwords from the 1Password app into the Safari browser in order to access websites with a login. With iOS 8 extensions, this all changes. Now, I can access 1Password login information and passwords from the Safari browser once I authenticate the extension with my master password or Touch ID.

Here is how to use extensions in Safari in iOS 8:

1. Make sure that you have an app or apps installed that offer extensions (1Password is a great app to test out this functionality as well as other free apps like Pinterest, Evernote, and others).

2. Within the Safari browser (and any other app that supports the sharing feature) tap on the Share button (the little box with the small arrow pointing up). When you tap the share button, you will notice two rows of icons. The top row has color icons (with standard sharing options of Messages and Mail) and the bottom row has grayscale icons (how you access Printing, Adding Bookmarks, and Add to Reading List). Apps with extensions can appear in either row of icons depending on their functionality.

3. Once you have tapped the Sharing button, scroll all the way over to the right side in the top or bottom row of sharing icons. Tap on the “More” button. This is where you can enable and disable the extension features of apps. If you are testing 1Password, you can access it in the bottom row of grayscale icons by tapping More and switching 1Password on. You can enable Pinterest and Evernote sharing extensions from the top row of color icons. You can reorder the list by grabbing the 2 lines on the right side and dragging the extension to whatever order you prefer. Once enabled close out of the More section by tapping Done and you will see the icons now displayed alongside the standard set of icons in the share menu.

4. Now, any time you want to access an extension, simply tap on the share button and then tap on the extension or share button you would like to use. If you want to enter a username and password into a website in Safari using 1Password, simply tap on the share icon and then tap on the 1Password icon. You will be asked to authenticate with your master password or with Touch ID. Once you have authenticated, tap on the login info you want to use and the info will automatically be entered into the appropriate fields. If you use Evernote or Pinterest, you can automatically share something on Pinterest by using the Pinterest sharing extension or save a website to Evernote using the Evernote sharing extension.

Overall, Extensions in iOS 8 add incredible functionality to the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch by allowing access to helpful tools from different apps while still protecting data in each individual app.