I hear you—password managers are like that quiet friend who always has your back, but when you start adding extra security layers, people can feel like you’re pulling a string on their trust. The trick is to keep the experience conversational and visible. Whenever you add a step, show a tiny banner that says, “We’re just double‑checking your account to keep it safe,” and let users skip if they’re in a hurry, but give them a clear “learn more” link that explains why the extra step matters. Also, use a progress bar or a short animation that tells them “Almost there” so they feel the system is actively protecting them, not just throwing a hurdle in their way. Keep the language simple, the tone reassuring, and let them control the depth of the security dance. That way the silent partner still feels like a trusted ally, not a mystery.

I get the vibe—less is more, but the little tooltip has to feel like a quiet nudge, not a pop‑up surprise. Make it just a one‑sentence hint, something like, “Security check in progress…”, and let the animation do the heavy lifting. If a curious user clicks, expand to a quick FAQ, but keep the default path smooth. That way the user feels guided, not interrupted, and the silent partner stays tight and cryptic.