edkeller

Q: editing internet account passwords on OS X

Like most people I have several different email and internet accounts set up on my laptop OSX El Capitan. When I go to System Preferences/Internet Accounts , there is no way to change the password for my [for example] gmail account. I have spent a couple of hours trying to find the capacity built into the os to do this, but I can't. I've searched apple help files, online, stackexchange... noone seems to know how to do this simply and directly. Every answer is a workaround- like, delete the account then re-add it with the new password. Or, try to force it by editing the smtp server settings. No answer directs one to the place in the os where this incredibly simple and urgent task can be accomplished.

 

Does anyone know the answer here? Apple, did you leave this function out? What the heck?

 

Best, Ed Keller

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2), G5 tower, G4, SGI o2, etc

Posted on Sep 18, 2016 9:00 AM

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Q: editing internet account passwords on OS X

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  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Sep 18, 2016 9:11 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 6 (15,483 points)
    Sep 18, 2016 9:11 AM in response to edkeller

    You posted in the El Capitan community but your profile says you are using 10.5.2. You should update your profile so that we know how to respond to your question.

     

    You must first change the gmail email password on the gmail site. Then once you have a new gmail password:

    In Mail

     

    Mail / Preferences / Accounts / Account Information / Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) / Edit SMTP Server List / (chose account you want to update), at the bottom of the window:

    User Name: ...

    Password: ...

     

    Insert your new gmail password.

  • by edkeller,

    edkeller edkeller Sep 18, 2016 9:13 AM in response to BobTheFisherman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 9:13 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

    Bob, many thanks. That's the same answer I've seen in multiple places.

     

    There does not seem to be a simple, obvious password change function in system preferences. I'm very technically savvy having admin experience on small LANs and multiple operating systems. I cannot believe that Apple is requiring the average user to resort to bulletin boards to find a workaround for a task that literally every single user of the operating system will have to do, multiple times. But it seems this is the case.

     

    NB, there are other issues- for example, my linked google calendars, notes, two factor logins, etc etc.

     

    So, the question still stands, is there a place in the operating system where the average non-tech savyy user can open a dialog box that is designed to allow them to change the password for an internet account, or is this only solvable by workarounds?

     

    Cheers! Best, EK

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 18, 2016 9:24 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 5 (7,699 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 18, 2016 9:24 AM in response to edkeller

    Um, isn't this what Keychain Access does? Look inside /Applications/Utilities

     

    All saved passwords are managed in the keychain. There are 'local items' and the 'Login keychain'. login is unlocked when the user logs in (by default). Frankly I don't really understand the point of the local items keychain but Apple made it when iCloud keychain syncing came around & forced it on everyone even if you don't use iCloud.

    You will need to update both places or just delete the specific keychain items & re-enter them when you next get prompted. Safari seems to use the local items for it's autofill data. There is also a system keychain for wifi passwords & things that are system wide, it's best to leave that alone & use the 'forget network' option of System Preferences to remove them.

     

    Some apps will have their own password store like Firefox IIRC but most should use keychain.

  • by edkeller,

    edkeller edkeller Sep 18, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Drew, thanks. I took a brief look at keychain access [Which I've used in the past for various purposes.]


    There are a range of OAuth tokens, etc in there. I'm actually not sure which I would want to keep and which to delete, and I could of course just delete all the ones that *seem* related to the account I'm updating [which seems like a bad idea, really]- but the thing is- I don't want to deal with this via keychain access. The operating system/system preferences interface, where one sets up internet account access, is the place to do it.

     

    Even as a tech savvy person I have doubts about using keychain access. So I wonder: how is the average user

    dealing with this? Is there an answer that will make my life easier, since I trust that Apple is not assuming that the average user will spend a few hours searching on the internet to solve this problem, which nearly every user will encounter? There has to be an answer here that I'm missing. So I hope.

    Cheers- Ed

  • by tygb ,

    tygb Sep 18, 2016 9:47 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 2 (398 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 9:47 AM in response to edkeller

    Hello !

               To change the gmail account password , it is recommended to change from g mail site itself as IMAP account is configured with POP3  account .

    A screen shot  for reference : Type the mail id , and password and click on forgot password , upcoming steps will appear and you can follow them .

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-18 at 10.07.18 PM.png

    Thanks !

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 18, 2016 9:59 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 5 (7,699 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 18, 2016 9:59 AM in response to edkeller

    What you want is not possible & has never been how OS X manages these settings - the keychain is where passwords are stored, Keychain Access is where you manage them. Sorry I can't help if you refuse to use the tools that the OS made for the purpose you desire.

     

    You need to search for the smtp or email related passwords if you want to edit them. 'oauth tokens' will be for services you allowed to access accounts as far as I can tell. Of course you could use Time Machine to ensure the keychains are backed up before you remove items or back them up yourself (In Finder ' Go > Go to Folder…' enter ~/Library/Keychains), duplicate the .keychain files for safekeeping. The files are encrypted so should be safe provided your user account password is strong. Rename the file.keychain if you want to reopen & view it in keychain access, you can manage multiple keychains & move items from one to the other provided you have the passwords.

     

    I don't know how 'average users' handle this - frankly 'average users' barely understand the concept of saved passwords as far as I can tell. Most people I deal with seem surprised that Keychain Access exists, or that the OS has their passwords saved. Be smart & learn to use the tools Apple gave you.

     

    I suspect Apple expect you to use system help or visit an Apple store, let us know what they tell you.

  • by edkeller,

    edkeller edkeller Sep 18, 2016 10:07 AM in response to Drew Reece
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 10:07 AM in response to Drew Reece

    Hi Drew.    FWIW, I've been using macs continuously since the early 80s, starting with a 512k mac. As well as working on and doing admin on SGI Irix, windows, etc. since the late 80s.    So, I have a reasonably good grip on systems, and a pretty deep committment to Apple. And, on top of this, no offense intended, your tone is inappropriate as a reply- since I'm being polite. 

     

    What I want is very simple. Like nearly everyone, I use range of outside services- like gmail- which have their own accounts and logins.
    OSX provides me a way to set up access to those outside systems within the OSX system preferences.
    All I want to do is UPDATE the password internally at the OSX system preferences interface, so my system can continue to access those systems when I change external passwords. Super simple. Shouldn't require keychain, etc.

     

    Best
    EK

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 18, 2016 10:20 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 5 (7,699 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 18, 2016 10:20 AM in response to edkeller

    edkeller wrote:

     

    Hi Drew.    FWIW, I've been using macs continuously since the early 80s, starting with a 512k mac. As well as working on and doing admin on SGI Irix, windows, etc. since the late 80s.    So, I have a reasonably good grip on systems, and a pretty deep committment to Apple. And, on top of this, no offense intended, your tone is inappropriate as a reply- since I'm being polite.

     

    What I want is very simple. Like nearly everyone, I use range of outside services- like gmail- which have their own accounts and logins.
    OSX provides me a way to set up access to those outside systems within the OSX system preferences.

     

    In all these years you haven't had this 'feature', what suddenly changed to make you need it now? Passwords have always been stored in the keychain & OS X has always used it to create, update and delete them (it goes back to Mac OS 9 & 8 if I recall correctly).

     

    You may be amazed to hear it but I don't have any control over what Apple do with their OS, so you will need to tell Apple if you want anything to change…

    https://feedback.apple.com/

     

    This is a user forum, so I come here to help users please go see an Apple store & me know if there is a new way to edit the passwords via System Preferences, I'm all up for learning new ways to do things.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Sep 18, 2016 11:02 AM in response to edkeller
    Level 10 (141,336 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 11:02 AM in response to edkeller

    Try deleting your Gmail account from Mail's Accounts preference pane and then add it back with the new password.  That's always worked for me.

    OTsig.png