REQUEST: If this guide helps, please upvote for visibility and share any feedback or improvements. I'm happy to make updates if it's possible.
I've faced issues with Apple devices not remembering your WiFi password post-router change. Despite numerous tips on websites, YouTube videos, and from people like @Lawrence Finch here in the discussion boards, I couldn't find a clean step-by-step which generically walks someone through the process to fix this issue.
I discovered Mjanskid's response post (linked here) identifying iCloud Keychain sync issues as the culprit. After several attempts and re-reading a bunch of the community feedback, I've compiled a concise, step-by-step guide to tackle this common frustration.
Before You Get Started
Before diving in, a quick read-through is advisable. Key steps involve:
- Identifying all devices synchronized with your Apple ID (an overlooked old MacBook Air was my snag).
- Setting up a temporary WiFi network for devices without cellular data, ensuring they can synchronize without the main network.
Let's get started...
[1] Identify Devices Syncing with Your Apple ID:
This step is critical to make sure you have every device (i.e., iPhones, iPads, Macs) that could contribute to iCloud Keychain synchronization issues.
- On iOS/iPadOS device: Open Settings, tap on [Your Name] at the top, then scroll down to see the list of devices connected to your Apple ID. Each device will be listed with its name and model.
- On macOS: Open System Preferences, click Apple ID, and select Device Preferences or look at the sidebar where devices are listed under your Apple ID.
[2] Backup Your Devices (best practice): Ensure all your devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs) are backed up to either iCloud or your computer to safeguard your data.
[3] Disable iCloud Keychain on all devices using your Apple ID: Now that you've identified all devices using your Apple ID, proceed by disabling iCloud Keychain on each to prevent further synchronization issues during the process.
- iOS/iPadOS Devices: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Keychain and toggle it off.
- macOS Devices: Open System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and uncheck Keychain.
[4] Forget WiFi Network: This step removes saved network settings and passwords, preparing your devices for a fresh connection attempt.
- iOS/iPadOS Devices:
- Navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" next to your network, and select Forget This Network.
- Go back to Settings > General > Reset, tap on Reset Network Settings. You might need to enter your device's passcode to continue.
- Confirm your decision to reset. Your device will automatically restart as part of this process, ensuring all network settings are cleared.
- macOS Devices:
- WiFi icon > Open Network Preferences > WiFi > Advanced, select your network, then, depending on the version of the OS, click either the (…) and select “Remove From List” or the minus (-) at the bottom of the list to “Forget It”, confirm and close network preferences.
- Restart your Mac. Unlike iOS/iPadOS devices, which automatically restart upon resetting network settings, manually restarting your Mac ensures all changes are fully applied and any temporary network settings are cleared.
[5] Re-enable iCloud Keychain: Gradually turn iCloud Keychain back on, device by device, to ensure each syncs properly before moving to the next. Initially, avoid connecting devices to the original "bad/original" WiFi network during this process. *** Before Re-enabling iCloud Keychain: Connect each device to a guest network or temporarily rename your current network. This ensures devices without cellular data (like iPads and Macs) can synchronize with Apple servers.
- iOS/iPadOS Devices: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Keychain and toggle iCloud Keychain on. Wait for the device to synchronize.
- macOS Devices: Open System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and check Keychain. Allow time for syncing.
After Each Device Syncs: Proceed to the next device, following the same steps, until all have iCloud Keychain enabled and synchronized.
[6] Reconnect to WiFi Network: After re-enabling iCloud Keychain, manually reconnect each device to your WiFi network using the password.
- Enter the password manually on each device when prompted. Despite the convenience of automatic password sharing, it's advisable to manually enter the password on each device for this setup process.
[7] Test and Monitor: Keep an eye on your devices over the next few days to ensure the issue is truly resolved.
I hope this guide simplifies the iCloud Keychain synchronization fix for you as much as it did for me.
