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How to Use Bitwarden

How to Use MFC's Bitwarden Password Manager

A Beginner's Guide for Minnesota Family Church

What is Bitwarden?

Bitwarden is like a super-secure digital safe for all your passwords. Instead of trying to remember dozens of passwords (or worse, using the same password everywhere!), Bitwarden remembers them for you. You only need to remember ONE password—your "Master Password"—to unlock all the rest.

Why should you use it?

  • ✅ Never forget a password again
  • ✅ Use strong, unique passwords for every account (Bitwarden can create them for you!)
  • ✅ Safely share passwords with team members who need them
  • ✅ Access your passwords from any device—computer, phone, or tablet

Your First Week Checklist

Use this checklist to track your progress. Don't try to do everything at once—take it one step at a time!

Week 1: The Basics

  • ☐ Receive your account invitation email
  • ☐ Create your Master Password (and write it down somewhere safe!)
  • ☐ Log in successfully from the web at vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  • ☐ Install the browser extension on your computer
  • ☐ Save one personal password to your vault
  • ☐ Use autofill to log into a website
  • ☐ Find a password in your vault using search

When You're Comfortable (Week 2 or later):

  • ☐ Install Bitwarden on your phone
  • ☐ Set up Two-Factor Authentication (see the 2FA section below)
  • ☐ Save your 2FA recovery code

Getting Started

Step 1: Request an Account

You cannot create your own account on our Bitwarden server. An administrator must set you up.

To request access, contact:

Who Email Phone
IT Admin admin@minnesotafamilychurch.com (555) 123-4567
Pastor pastor@minnesotafamilychurch.com (555) 123-4568

⚠️ Note to administrators: Replace the contact information above with real email addresses and phone numbers before distributing this guide.

Once your account is created, you'll receive an email with instructions to finish setting up.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Account (First-Time Login)

When you receive your invitation email:

⚠️ IMPORTANT: About Your Master Password

Your Master Password is the ONE password you absolutely MUST remember. Here's why it's so important:

There is NO "Forgot Password" button. If you forget your Master Password, no one—not even the admin—can reset it or recover your account. This is a security feature, not a bug!

Creating a Master Password You'll Actually Remember

The "Passphrase" Method (Recommended!)

Instead of a complicated password like X@9j#mK2!, use a passphrase—a series of random words that create a mental picture.

Examples of good passphrases:

  • purple-elephant-dancing-tuesday
  • coffee-mountain-seven-guitars
  • grandma-bakes-cosmic-pizza-42

Why this works:

  • It's long (which makes it secure)
  • It's easy to remember (just picture it in your mind!)
  • It's easy to type

Tips for Remembering Your Master Password

  1. Write it down on paper — Yes, really! Store it somewhere safe like a locked drawer at home (NOT on a sticky note on your monitor!)
  2. Never store it digitally — Don't put it in your phone's notes app, don't email it to yourself, don't save it in a document on your computer. Paper only!
  3. Create a mental image — If your passphrase is "purple-elephant-dancing-tuesday," imagine an elephant at a Tuesday dance class
  4. Use the password hint — Bitwarden lets you set a hint. Make it meaningful to YOU but not obvious to others
  5. Practice typing it — The first few days, type it out several times to build muscle memory

Connecting to MFC's Bitwarden Server

This is a crucial step! Our church runs its own private Bitwarden server, so you need to tell Bitwarden where to look.

On a Web Browser (Computer)

  1. Go to vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com (bookmark this!)
  2. That's it—you're already connected to the right server!

📸 [Screenshot should go here: Browser address bar showing vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com]

On the Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)

  1. Install the Bitwarden extension from your browser's extension store
  2. Click the Bitwarden icon in your browser
  3. Before logging in, look for text that says "Logging in on:" with a dropdown
  4. Click the dropdown and select "Self-hosted"
  5. In the "Server URL" field, type: https://vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  6. Click Save
  7. Now log in with your email and Master Password

📸 [Screenshot should go here: Browser extension showing the "Self-hosted" dropdown and Server URL field]

On Your Phone or Tablet

iPhone/iPad:

  1. Download "Bitwarden" from the App Store
  2. Open the app
  3. Tap "Log In"
  4. Before entering your email, tap "Logging in on:"
  5. Select "Self-hosted"
  6. Enter: https://vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  7. Tap Save, then log in

Android:

  1. Download "Bitwarden" from the Google Play Store
  2. Open the app
  3. Tap "Log In"
  4. Before entering your email, tap "Logging in on:"
  5. Select "Self-hosted"
  6. Enter: https://vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  7. Tap Save, then log in

📸 [Screenshot should go here: Phone app showing the self-hosted server configuration screen]

Understanding Your Vault

Think of Bitwarden as having two sections:

1. Your Personal Vault

This is YOUR private space. Anything you save here is only visible to you. Use this for:

  • Personal email accounts
  • Personal social media
  • Shopping sites
  • Anything that's just for you

2. The MFC Shared Collection

This is where team passwords live. The admin has organized shared passwords into Collections (like folders). You'll only see the collections that are relevant to your role.

For example, you might see:

  • Social Media — Facebook, Instagram, YouTube logins for the church
  • Website — Login for the church website admin
  • Streaming — Accounts for worship software, streaming platforms

How it works:

  • You're assigned to a Group (like "Media Team" or "Office Staff")
  • Your Group has access to specific Collections
  • If you change roles, the admin simply moves you to a different Group
  • When someone new joins your team, they get the same access you have automatically

What Happens If You Leave MFC?

If you ever leave the church or change roles:

  • Your personal vault items stay with you. Any passwords you saved in your personal vault are yours forever.
  • Shared collection access is removed. You'll no longer see the church's shared passwords, which makes sense—those belong to the church, not to you personally.

So feel free to use your personal vault for your own accounts! They won't disappear if your role changes.

Installing & Using the Browser Extension (Highly Recommended!)

The browser extension is what makes Bitwarden truly magical. It automatically fills in your passwords on websites!

Installing on Chrome

  1. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store
  2. Search for "Bitwarden"
  3. Click "Add to Chrome"
  4. Click "Add extension" in the popup
  5. You'll see a shield icon appear near your address bar—that's Bitwarden!

Setting Up the Extension

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon (the shield)
  2. Remember to set the server URL first (see "Connecting to MFC's Bitwarden Server" above)
  3. Log in with your email and Master Password
  4. Pin the extension for easy access:
    • Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome
    • Find Bitwarden
    • Click the pin icon next to it

📸 [Screenshot should go here: Chrome toolbar showing how to pin the Bitwarden extension]

Using Autofill (The Easy Way to Log In)

Method 1: Click to Fill

  1. Go to any website where you have a saved login
  2. Click in the username or password field
  3. You'll see a Bitwarden popup appear
  4. Click the login you want to use—done!

Method 2: Use the Extension

  1. Go to the website's login page
  2. Click the Bitwarden icon
  3. You'll see a number on the icon showing how many logins match this site
  4. Click the login you want to use, then click "Fill"

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + L (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + L (Mac)
  • Bitwarden will automatically fill in your credentials!

Saving New Passwords

When you create a new account or change a password on a website:

  1. Bitwarden will show a banner asking "Save this login?"
  2. Click "Save" (or "Update" if it's an existing login)
  3. That's it—the password is now in your vault!

Vault Timeout Settings (Important for Shared Computers!)

If you use a shared computer at church or at home (like a family computer), you'll want to make sure Bitwarden locks itself when you're not using it. This prevents someone else from accessing your passwords.

Understanding Lock vs. Log Out

  • Lock: Your vault closes, but you only need your Master Password to reopen it. Quick and convenient.
  • Log Out: You're completely signed out. You'll need your Master Password AND (if you set it up) your two-factor authentication code. More secure, but takes longer.

Setting Your Vault Timeout

On the Browser Extension:

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon
  2. Click Settings (gear icon)
  3. Look for "Vault timeout"
  4. Choose when to lock:
    • 1 minute — Very secure, but you'll type your password often
    • 5 minutes — Good balance for shared computers
    • 15 minutes — Reasonable for personal computers
    • On browser restart — Locks when you close Chrome
  5. For "Vault timeout action", choose "Lock" (recommended) or "Log out"

On Your Phone:

  1. Open the Bitwarden app
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Tap Vault timeout
  4. Choose your preferred timeout
  5. Tap Vault timeout action and select Lock or Log out

Our recommendation:

  • On shared/church computers: 5 minutes, then Lock
  • On your personal computer: 15 minutes or On browser restart, then Lock
  • On your phone: Immediately or 1 minute, then Lock (phones are easily lost!)

Using Bitwarden on Your Phone

Enabling Autofill on iPhone

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and tap Passwords
  3. Tap Password Options
  4. Turn on AutoFill Passwords
  5. Check the box next to Bitwarden
  6. Uncheck iCloud Keychain (optional, but recommended to avoid confusion)

Now when you tap a login field in Safari or apps, Bitwarden will offer to fill it in!

Enabling Autofill on Android

  1. Open the Bitwarden app
  2. Tap Settings (gear icon)
  3. Tap Auto-fill
  4. Tap Auto-fill services and enable Bitwarden
  5. If you use Chrome, also enable "Use Chrome autofill integration"

Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

When should you do this? We recommend waiting until you're comfortable with the basics of Bitwarden (logging in, saving passwords, using autofill). Once that feels natural—usually after a week or two—come back to this section.

Two-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone steals your Master Password, they can't get in without your phone!

Why You Should Set This Up

Think of it like a double lock on your front door. Your Master Password is the first lock. 2FA is the second lock that requires your phone to open.

How to Set Up 2FA (Using an Authenticator App)

Step 1: Get an Authenticator App

Download one of these free apps on your phone:

  • Ente Auth (recommended)
  • Google Authenticator
  • Microsoft Authenticator

Step 2: Enable 2FA in Bitwarden

  1. Log in to Bitwarden at vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  2. Click your profile icon (top right)
  3. Click Account settings
  4. Click Security in the left menu
  5. Click Two-step login
  6. Enter your Master Password when asked
  7. Find "Authenticator App" and click Manage
  8. You'll see a QR code on screen

📸 [Screenshot should go here: The Two-step login settings page showing the QR code]

Step 3: Connect Your Authenticator App

  1. Open your authenticator app on your phone
  2. Tap the "+" or "Add" button
  3. Point your phone's camera at the QR code on your computer screen
  4. The app will add Bitwarden and show a 6-digit code
  5. Type that code into Bitwarden and click Enable

Step 4: SAVE YOUR RECOVERY CODE!

⚠️ Very Important: Bitwarden will show you a Recovery Code.

  • Write this down on paper (yes, paper—not your phone!)
  • Store it somewhere safe (like with other important documents)
  • This code is your backup if you ever lose your phone

Using 2FA to Log In

From now on, when you log in to Bitwarden:

  1. Enter your email and Master Password
  2. Bitwarden will ask for a verification code
  3. Open your authenticator app
  4. Type the 6-digit code you see
  5. Click Continue

The code changes every 30 seconds, so type it quickly!

Quick Reference: Common Tasks

How do I add a new password?

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon
  2. Click the "+" button
  3. Select "Login"
  4. Fill in:
    • Name: Something you'll recognize (like "Church Facebook")
    • Username: Your email or username
    • Password: Your password (or click the dice icon to generate one!)
    • Website (URI): The website address
  5. Click Save

How do I find a saved password?

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon
  2. Use the search bar at the top
  3. Type part of the name or website
  4. Click the item to see details
  5. Click the eye icon to reveal the password, or the copy icon to copy it

How do I generate a strong password?

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon
  2. Click the "+" button (or open an existing item and click Edit)
  3. Next to the Password field, click the refresh/dice icon
  4. Adjust the settings:
    • Length: 16+ characters is good
    • Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  5. Click "Select" to use the generated password

How do I change my Master Password?

  1. Log in at vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
  2. Click your profile icon (top right)
  3. Click Account settings
  4. Click Security in the left menu
  5. Click Master password
  6. Enter your current password and new password
  7. Click Change password

Remember: Write down your new Master Password somewhere safe!

Security Concerns

What If I Think Someone Accessed My Account?

If you notice anything suspicious—logins you don't recognize, passwords that have changed, or anything that doesn't seem right—take these steps immediately:

  1. Change your Master Password right away (see "How do I change my Master Password?" above)
  2. Check your recent activity:
    • Log in at vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com
    • Click your profile icon (top right)
    • Click Account settings
    • Look for any login sessions or devices you don't recognize
  3. Contact the admin immediately at admin@minnesotafamilychurch.com or (555) 123-4567
  4. If you have 2FA set up: Consider disabling it and setting it up fresh with a new recovery code
  5. Change passwords for your most important accounts (email, banking, etc.) using Bitwarden's password generator

When in doubt, reach out to the admin. It's always better to be safe!

Troubleshooting

"I can't log in!"

Check these things:

  1. Are you connected to the right server? (vault.minnesotafamilychurch.com)
  2. Is your Caps Lock on? Master Passwords are case-sensitive!
  3. Are you using the correct email address?

"Autofill isn't working on a website"

Sometimes websites are built in ways that confuse Bitwarden. Try:

  1. Click the Bitwarden icon
  2. Find your login in the list
  3. Click the login, then click "Fill" manually
  4. If that doesn't work, click the login, then click the copy icon next to the password to copy it, and paste it manually

"I forgot my Master Password!"

Unfortunately, if you've truly forgotten it and don't have it written down anywhere, there's no way to recover your account. You'll need to contact the admin to set up a new account, and you'll lose any personal passwords you had saved.

This is why we strongly recommend:

  • Writing down your Master Password on paper
  • Storing it in a safe place at home
  • Using a memorable passphrase

"I lost my phone and can't get 2FA codes!"

This is where your Recovery Code saves the day:

  1. On the 2FA screen, click "Use another two-step login method"
  2. Select "Recovery code"
  3. Enter your recovery code
  4. Once logged in, disable the old 2FA and set up a new one with your new phone

If you don't have your recovery code, contact the admin.

Need Help?

If you're stuck or something isn't working right, don't hesitate to reach out:

Contact Email Phone
IT Admin admin@minnesotafamilychurch.com (555) 123-4567
Pastor pastor@minnesotafamilychurch.com (555) 123-4568

⚠️ Note to administrators: Replace the contact information above with real email addresses and phone numbers before distributing this guide.

We're happy to help! It's better to ask for help than to get frustrated or give up on using secure passwords.

Quick Tips Recap

✅ Do:

  • Use a memorable passphrase as your Master Password
  • Write down your Master Password on paper and store it safely
  • Install the browser extension for easy autofill
  • Set a vault timeout, especially on shared computers
  • Set up Two-Factor Authentication (when you're ready)
  • Save your 2FA recovery code on paper
  • Let Bitwarden generate strong passwords for you
  • Contact the admin if anything seems suspicious

❌ Don't:

  • Use the same password for multiple accounts
  • Share your Master Password with anyone
  • Store your Master Password digitally (no phone notes, no emails, no documents!)
  • Ignore the setup for 2FA—it really is worth the small extra effort!
  • Leave Bitwarden unlocked on shared computers

Last updated: January 2026 Questions? Contact admin@minnesotafamilychurch.com

⚠️ For administrators preparing this guide: Before distributing, please:

  1. Replace all placeholder contact information with real email addresses and phone numbers
  2. Add screenshots at the marked locations (📸) to help visual learners
  3. Consider printing a few copies for members who prefer paper references

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