LastPass password manager on Tuesday revealed that starting March 16, 2021, LastPass Free users will only be able to use the service on one category of device: computers or mobile devices. Computers include all types of Internet browsers running on desktops, laptops and tablets (Windows, macOS and Linux) while mobile devices are defined as smartphones, smartwatch and tablets running Android or iOS.
Users will be asked to select their active device type and will have three opportunities to switch between the two.
“Please note, that all of your devices sync automatically, so you’ll never lose access to anything stored in your vault or be locked out of your account, regardless of whether you use computer or mobile devices to access LastPass.”
As well as restricting its device types, LastPass is also changing the kinds of customer support free tier users will be able to access. From May 17th, free users will lose access to email support, the company announced.
LastPass is clearly hoping the new restrictions are enough to encourage people to upgrade to its Premium or Families tiers. LastPass Premium starts at $3 a month, while a Families subscription costs $4 and includes licenses for up to six people. In an accompanying blog post, the company says it now has over 20 million users around the world, though it’s unclear how many of these use the service’s free tier. These upcoming changes could make it a lot harder to use the service for free in the future.
