Mobile · Android

Bitwarden for Android

Native Android app with fingerprint unlock and Android's accessibility-based autofill across every app on the device. Two distribution channels: Google Play and F-Droid.

Bitwarden for Android

Android 8 (Oreo) or later. Free, open source, GPL-3.0.

Open Google Play → Open F-Droid →

Google Play vs F-Droid

Both stores ship the same Bitwarden code, but the build process and signing differ:

Google Play: the standard build. Includes Firebase Cloud Messaging for push notifications (faster sync). Auto-updates through Play Store.
F-Droid: the FOSS-only variant. Strips Firebase (replaced with periodic-poll sync). For users who want a Google-free Android (LineageOS, GrapheneOS, /e/OS).

For most users, Play Store is the obvious pick. F-Droid is for the de-Googled crowd specifically.

Set up Android autofill

Install Bitwarden, sign in.
Open Settings → System → Languages & input → Autofill service.
Select Bitwarden.
In Bitwarden settings, enable Auto-fill Service and Inline Autofill.
Now any app login form shows Bitwarden suggestions in the keyboard accessory.

Accessibility-based autofill (legacy)

Older Android (8-11) without inline autofill: Bitwarden falls back to an accessibility-service-based approach. Enable: Settings → Accessibility → Bitwarden → enabled. This grants Bitwarden permission to read the active app's screen layout to detect login forms — a privacy trade-off worth understanding.

Fingerprint and face unlock

Settings → Account Security → Unlock options:

Biometric unlock: uses Android's BiometricPrompt API — fingerprint or supported face unlock (Pixel 8+, Samsung face unlock).
PIN: faster than master password, kept on-device only.

Custom ROMs (LineageOS, GrapheneOS, CalyxOS)

LineageOS: install via F-Droid (or sideload Play APK).
GrapheneOS: sandboxed Google Play available, install Bitwarden through Play Store; or F-Droid for fully FOSS.
CalyxOS: microG-based; F-Droid is the cleaner path.
/e/OS: install through Apps store (uses microG); F-Droid available too.

Android app — frequently asked questions

Is the Android app free on Play Store?

Yes — no in-app purchases either. Premium upgrade is configured through bitwarden.com web vault, same as iOS.

Why is the F-Droid version smaller?

F-Droid build excludes Google Firebase libraries (no FCM push). Smaller APK, no Google dependency. Sync happens by polling at intervals rather than push — slightly more battery use but no Google services required.

Does Bitwarden work on Android Auto / Wear OS?

No Wear OS app yet (different from iOS/Apple Watch). No Android Auto integration — vehicle entertainment systems aren't a typical password-entry context.

What's the minimum Android version?

Android 8 (Oreo, API 26). Older Android (7 or earlier) needs the web vault in mobile Chrome.

Can I install via APK from GitHub?

Yes — Bitwarden publishes APKs alongside each release on GitHub. github.com/bitwarden/clients/releases/latest, file named com.x8bit.bitwarden-X.X.X.apk. Sideload at your own risk; auto-update won't work.

Why does autofill stop working after a few days?

Most often: Android battery optimisation kills the Bitwarden background service to save power. Settings → Battery → App battery usage → Bitwarden → Unrestricted. Then autofill stays available indefinitely.