Keychains Folder huge and getting bigger (48GB)

Charlie Giancarlo wrote:

Does anyone have any idea why so many files might have been created and not automatically removed by the system?

I have been using Keychain since its introduction with no issue...

Keychain is the password management by Apple. It was introduced ~1999 with OS X 8.6, and has been included in all subsequent versions of the operating system.

In these Apple Support Communities I have never heard of this issue before over the same time period— so not much help there either..

Here is a typical Keychain folder for comparison

If there is third party interferences— you can good look at your System config. and reveal conflicts or issues, you can download/run this trusted utility https://etrecheck.com  Allow the Full Disk Access for best results.

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.

Typically the Keychain works trouble free with the login Keychain left unlocked:

ref:

What is Keychain Access on Mac? - Apple Support

Keychain Access User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Manage passwords using keychains on Mac - Apple Support

If you need to update your keychain password on Mac

If no insight or resolve I would encourage you to Call Customer Support  (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line  Apple Support

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Out of sheer interest, can the user ( you ) give us a screen shot of the Keychain Folder, using Command + i

My Keychain is also syncing with iCloud and do not have anything near of 48 GB of Passwords stored anyway.

Maybe 35 MB

refer to below

Ah, the missing piece of the puzzle.

An Old Keychain has what purpose in this computer setup only the user can determine.

If it serves not meaningful purpose - remove it.

After all this Keychain, AFAIK, it would not be involved with Syncing to iCloud as the User stated earlier

What is of concern, is the Actual Location of this Old Keychain folder. It is Not in the Normal Path which should be in the Home Folder

Refer back to my earlier image for Normal Path - User Folder

Charlie Giancarlo wrote:

This is seriously unhelpful.

The old Keychain files are the ones I removed from my keychains folder in /Library, because I believed them to be the problem to my huge Keychains folder explosion. As you can see it is 48GB. OF COURSE it isn’t in my Keychains folder in /Library - I removed It and placed it somewhere where it wouldn’t fill up my main storage!

Does anyone have any idea why so many files might have been created and not automatically removed by the system?

Charlie

Good Luck with this computer issue

+1