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Where are passwords stored for Apple Mail?

This should be so simple, but it's not, and the information about this topic is incorrect (or several years old and obviously no longer applies).


I'm trying to find where Mail stores passwords. I need to update mine.


It's not in Mail Preferences.


It's not in System Preferences>Internet Accounts.


It's not Keychain Access.


Where is it?


I've used Apple Mail for a good long while now. Mac user since 1989. I'm on a MacBook Air about 8 months old, running OS 10.14.6.


Thanks for any help you can render!

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 12, 2020 9:51 AM

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Posted on Mar 12, 2020 12:23 PM

Often the easiest way to fix a problem like that is to completely delete the Mail account(s) in System Preferences > Internet Accounts, and add them again. Those steps are described in greater detail here: Set up Mail with email accounts - Apple Support.


It should not be this hard to find and update a password.


I completely agree, but unfortunately the way things are going under the ever-expanding "for your security" umbrella is that user names and passwords simply aren't good enough any more. That's the likely reason you're encountering the password challenge despite the fact you know perfectly well what your passwords are.


It probably has nothing to do with the password at all, meaning that even if you find it in Keychain it won't help. The email service provider is probably more comfortable using a secure webpage with its SSL certificate than a client like Mail which might not be using the (possibly updated) settings and protocols it requires.


That's also the reason for suggesting removing the problematic account(s) and adding them again. If you do that Mail will automatically determine and configure those settings.


At least that's how it's supposed to work. It may be the only way to fix whatever's wrong.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 12, 2020 12:23 PM in response to Larry Israel

Often the easiest way to fix a problem like that is to completely delete the Mail account(s) in System Preferences > Internet Accounts, and add them again. Those steps are described in greater detail here: Set up Mail with email accounts - Apple Support.


It should not be this hard to find and update a password.


I completely agree, but unfortunately the way things are going under the ever-expanding "for your security" umbrella is that user names and passwords simply aren't good enough any more. That's the likely reason you're encountering the password challenge despite the fact you know perfectly well what your passwords are.


It probably has nothing to do with the password at all, meaning that even if you find it in Keychain it won't help. The email service provider is probably more comfortable using a secure webpage with its SSL certificate than a client like Mail which might not be using the (possibly updated) settings and protocols it requires.


That's also the reason for suggesting removing the problematic account(s) and adding them again. If you do that Mail will automatically determine and configure those settings.


At least that's how it's supposed to work. It may be the only way to fix whatever's wrong.

Mar 12, 2020 9:56 AM in response to Larry Israel

For iCloud mail addresses, your Apple ID is used. For all other accounts, passwords are used in System Preferences > Internet Accounts. On each account, click Details... to edit your password. If you forgot your password, it may be stored in iCloud Keychain. You can access iCloud Keychain in Safari by going to Preferences from the menu bar or by pressing Command-,

Mar 12, 2020 10:23 AM in response to Larry Israel

It's not Keychain Access.


They are stored in Keychain but depending on the particular Mail account it might be "hashed" and unreadable within Keychain Access. If that's the case it will be "hashed" everywhere else too.


Describe how you're going about trying to retrieve it. I'd be reluctant to post the particular email service you happen to be using on this publicly viewable website but that's up to you.


Better yet, please describe your reason for needing that password. I know you wrote that you need to update it, but that solicitation may be less than accurate, or even worse—a phishing attempt.

Mar 12, 2020 10:44 AM in response to bumbleben0

Thanks bumbleben!


Inside of Internet Accounts is a list. I click on the account I need to change, and these items appear with check boxes:

Mail

Contacts

Calendars

Notes


There is a button I can click: "Details." I click it, and this appears:

Email Address: [my email] This is not changeable.

Description: Contains part of my email address, can be changed.

Name: Contains the name that is associated with this email address, and can be changed.


These are the only options I find inside of Internet Accounts.

Mar 12, 2020 11:02 AM in response to John Galt

Thanks for your help, John!


Phishing: this was my concern as well, since the password has not changed and this behavior is strange to me.


I know the password, and I am current logged in using webmail. In Keychain Access, I do not see the account I need to update. There is a long list of items, but none for Mail. This is under the Passwords category.


I tried searching the word "Mail" and it finds almost the same number as the original unsearched list. I tediously read through each item on the list, and there doesn't seem to be anything related to the actual Mail at all.


It should not be this hard to find and update a password.


If you have any other ideas, please tell me!


Thanks again!

Where are passwords stored for Apple Mail?

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