1Password - Get a Free 1Password Families Account
As a member of the UW–Madison community (anyone with an @wisc.edu email address), you can redeem a free 1Password Families account to protect your personal credentials and share access securely with your family. This benefit ensures your personal life is as secure as your university-related data.
The free Families account is separate from your UW–Madison University account, and you do not need a University account to redeem it. Many users will have both accounts, using their University account (@wisc.edu) for UW–Madison-related items and their Families account (using a personal email like @gmail.com) for personal passwords. If you’re unsure which account is right for you, check out 1Password - University vs Families Accounts.
Eligibility
Anyone with an @wisc.edu email address is eligible to redeem a free 1Password Families account.
Important: You must register the Families account using a personal email address (i.e. @gmail.com). You cannot use an @wisc.edu email address to create a new Families account.
About the Student Families Coupon
UW–Madison provides students with a Families account coupon focused on personal use. Students are not included in the university's 1Password Business environment, so this separate benefit ensures access to strong password management during their time at UW-Madison.
The student coupon includes:
- A free 1Password Families account (enroll using a personal email like @gmail.com).
- Access for a 4-year period from the date of redemption.
- The option to continue through self-payment or renewal (if eligible) after the free period.
After the 4-year period:
- After 4 years, a personal payment method is required to continue the account. Contact an administrator for rare edge cases.
How to Redeem Your Free Families Account
Faculty & Staff
-
Sign in to your University account at uw-madison.1password.com.
- If you have not setup your University account please follow the steps outlined in the following KB: 1Password - Getting Started with 1Password at UW-Madison
-
Click your name in the top right corner and select Manage Account.
-
Under the “Claim your free family account” section, click Redeem Now.
-
Choose one of the following options:
-
Sign up for a new Families account:
-
Use your personal email address to create the account.
-
-
Apply to an existing Families account:
-
Log in to your family account and click Apply.
-
If you sign in to an individual account, you will be prompted to convert it to a family account.
-
-
Key Details
-
Your Families account remains active as long as it’s linked to your UW-Madison University account.
-
If you leave UW–Madison, you can add a payment method to continue using your Families account.
Students
-
Navigate to 1password.com/promo.
-
Enter the company token: J62DQ5E6EJFPC
-
Enter your @wisc.edu email address. Your @wisc.edu email is only used in this step of the process.
-
Click Redeem 1Password Account.
- Look for an email from 1Password with next steps.
Important Note:
Please use a personal email when setting up your 1Password Families Account. The initial entry using the code and @wisc.edu email is just for redeeming the coupon.
Key Details
-
Your Families account remains active for 4 years and is renewable.
-
If you leave UW-Madison, you can add a payment method to continue using your Families account.
If you already have a personal 1Password account and want to take advantage of the free version or no cost version.
Follow the steps above based upon whether or not you are a Student or Faculty & Staff:
-
If you are Faculty & Staff, you can link this directly. When logged in to the 1Password web account with your @wisc.edu email, under Manage Account, select Apply to an existing Families account, and login with your existing personal 1Password account. This will link the account on the back-end, for billing purposes only. UW-Madison has no visibility into your account.
-
If you are a Student and do not have a University Business account, contact 1Password Support for direct assistance.
Managing Personal and University Passwords
The 1Password browser extension, desktop app, and mobile app support signing in with multiple accounts. This means you can access both personal and university passwords at the same time.
For instructions, visit: 1Password - Login to University and Families Accounts Simultaneously
Tips for Personal Items
-
Store personal passwords and non-UW-Madison items in your Families account.
-
After linking, move any personal items from your University account to your Families account.
-
Import passwords from other password managers or browsers into your Families account for better organization.
Differences Between University and Family Accounts
| Feature | University Account | Family Account |
|---|---|---|
| Management | Managed by UW-Madison. | Managed by you or a family organizer. |
| Subscription | Paid for by UW-Madison. | Free if linked; paid by you if unlinked. |
| Shared Vaults | Accessible to UW-Madison users. | Accessible only to family members. |
| Policies | UW-Madison applies risk policies. | Your vaults are private to you. |
| Account Deletion | Can be deleted by UW-Madison. | Only deletable by the family organizer. |
FAQs
Can the university access my Families account?
No, your Families account is private. UW-Madison administrators can only see whether you’ve redeemed the free Families account.
What happens if I leave UW-Madison?
Students:
- Your Families account will remain active for 4 years from the activation date.
- Upon expiration, you’ll have 14 days to add a payment method or export your data.
- After 14 days, your Families account enters a read-only frozen state, but your data remains safe.
Faculty and Staff:
- Your University account will be suspended, unlinking your Families account.
- You’ll have 14 days to add a payment method or export your data.
- After 14 days, your Families account enters a read-only frozen state, but your data remains safe.
What if I already have a personal 1Password account?
You can link your existing personal account and use it for free while you have an active @wisc.edu email address.
If I need help with my Families account, where should I go?
- Visit the 1Password customer support knowledge base.
- Contact 1Password Support for direct assistance.
Will I get a refund if I already paid for a Families account?
Yes, a prorated credit will be applied to your Families account when linked to a University account.
Getting Help
Troubleshooting Tips
-
Linking Accounts in Different Regions:
- If your Families account is in a different region, click Sign in to another account at the bottom of the linking page and choose the correct region.
-
In-App Purchases:
- If you subscribed via an in-app purchase on Apple or Android and encounter issues redeeming your free account, contact 1Password Support for help.
-
Frozen Accounts:
- Ensure your family account is listed under My Profile in your University account. If it becomes frozen after leaving UW-Madison, add a payment method to continue using the account.
Important Note from UW Health: Please DO NOT store credentials for UW Health or Meriter systems in 1Password.