LastPass Free to force users to choose between mobile, desktop

[mood]

LastPass Free to force users to choose between mobile, desktop

 

 

Starting next month, LastPass will no longer allow a free account to be used on multiple types of devices (computers and mobile) at the same time.

 

LastPass is a password manager that allows you to synchronize and auto-fill your login credentials throughout multiple platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, and almost all web browsers.

 

While LastPass offers premium subscriptions with additional features, they also provide a Free subscription with "password management with access on all your devices for free."

 

The Free service is changing dramatically on March 16th, 2021, when LastPass will restrict free accounts to either a 'Computer' or 'Mobile' device platform simultaneously. For example, LastPass Free users will be able to use the service on their Android and iOS mobile devices simultaneously but not on computers or vice-versa.

"We’re making changes to how LastPass Free users access LastPass across device types. LastPass offers access across two device types - Computers (including all browsers running on desktops and laptops) or Mobile Devices (including mobile phones, smart watches, and tablets).

"Starting March 16, 2021, LastPass Free will only include access on unlimited devices of one type," announced LastPass in a support bulletin.

 

LastPass Free will automatically select the designated platform type based on the device you first log in on and after March 16th. If you login in with your phone, LastPass will automatically set your active device type to 'Mobile.'

 

While LastPass Free users will not be able to use their devices on a different category of devices, they can use it on unlimited devices in the same category.

 

To prevent users from getting stuck on an unwanted platform, LastPass provides users three opportunities to change their active device type. After the third change, users will be stuck on that platform unless they upgrade to a LastPass Premium or Families account.

 

In addition to these new limitations, Lastpass Free users will no longer receive support via email and will only have access to the support center and the LastPass forums.

 

 

Source: LastPass Free to force users to choose between mobile, desktop

[mood]

LastPass isn't wrong to ask people to pay for its service

It's time to just pay up.

 

Source: iMore

 

LastPass caused something of a stir earlier today when it made changes to its free tier that removed support for multiple devices. It also took away the option to get customer support via email as well, leaving people to reach out via forums when they need assistance. And people aren't happy.

 

But LastPass isn't in the wrong here.

 

LastPass Free, the free tier of the password management app and service, remains. It just doesn't offer the same features that it once did. To be fair, there's a case to be made that LastPass Free shouldn't exist at all because writing apps and paying for sync servers isn't a free endeavor. And I think that's now shown by the way LastPass is pushing customers towards its Premium and Family tiers instead.

 

We're making changes to how Free users access LastPass across device types. LastPass offers access across two device types – computers (including all browsers running on desktops and laptops) or mobile devices (including mobile phones, smart watches, and tablets). Starting March 16th, 2021, LastPass Free will only include access on unlimited devices of one type.

 

I've been pretty outspoken about the fact people should pay for their software and services. I'm here to tell you that all over again because what LastPass isn't saying here is that it (probably) can't afford to keep having Premium and Family users subsidize those who don't pay for the service. If LastPass Free wasn't an issue today's changes wouldn't be happening.

 

I'll also posit that if there's one service you should absolutely pay for, it's the one that houses all of your passwords. You absolutely don't want that company to be penny-pinching anywhere and anyhow. And if LastPass went away, who really wants to have to migrate to another password manager?

 

To sum up, whether you're using LastPass, 1Password, an independent app, or any other app or service, pay for it. And if you really don't want to, don't forget iCloud Keychain is a thing you can use instead.

 

 

Source: LastPass isn't wrong to ask people to pay for its service