LastPass is adding new restrictions to its free subscription level starting on March 16, which will only allow users to view and manage passwords on one category of devices: mobile or computer. Mobile users will be limited to iOS and Android phones, iPads, Android tablets and smartwatches. Computer subscribers will be able to use their passwords for Windows, macOS and Linux desktops and laptops, the LastPass browser extension and Windows tablets.
Users at the Free LastPass level will be asked to choose between the two options the first time they log in after March 16, and the company says they will be able to switch between categories up to three times after selection. Although customers are restricted to a single category of devices at the free level, they will still be able to view and manage passwords for an unlimited number of devices in the mobile or desktop category. LastPass says that no user will be blocked from accessing their accounts or will lose access to their passwords as a result of the changes.
In addition to restricting your device types, LastPass is also changing the types of customer support that free level users will be able to access. As of May 17, free users will lose access to email support, the company announced.
LastPass clearly hopes that the new restrictions will be sufficient to encourage people to upgrade to their Premium or Family levels. LastPass Premium starts at $ 3 a month, while a Family subscription costs $ 4 and includes licenses for up to six people. In a blog post, the company says it now has more than 20 million users worldwide, although it is unclear how many of them use the free service level.
Compared to many other password managers, who ask you to sign up to access even their basic features, LastPass’s free tier has always been very generous. But these future changes may make it much more difficult to use the service for free in the future.