For an old 2016 Pages document which was password protected, how do I get past my old password? I don't remember the password any more.
The document was created on a Late-2013 Intel 27" iMac back in 2016 and accessible on the then OS in use. Currently, I use a 2021 M1 24" iMac, and while there is an option to use Touch ID, but nothing happens here.
iMac 24″, macOS 14.1
You don't. Once you set a password, you have the option on that Pages Set Password panel to remember the password in your keychain (on that Mac). If you still have that Mac, you might try opening the Pages document there on the outside chance you did tell it to remember your password in the keychain, and the document automatically unlocks. If that works, you can remove the password via the Pages Change Password menu item.
Otherwise, there is no means to circumvent a password challenge by the document without the password.
Did you use the Time Machine drive from that Late-2013 iMac with Migration Assistant when setting up the M1 iMac. I looked at my Keychain on my M2 Mac mini Pro and it has some really old content from years ago that suggest the keychain data travels with Migration Assistant.
If you were using Time Machine, and did not reuse that Time Machine drive from the 2013 iMac, then your document may exist on it prior to your setting a password, or even in another document format such as PDF.
I am uncertain about what Keychain data is shared with iCloud (if any) and if you cannot open your Pages document from iCloud drive, then that theory is out the window.
Your first bullet:
Write documents to a unique folder on a DVD. Both in Pages and PDF format. Include a plain text file in that folder with the password. Print those documents on a laser printer and enclose in a waterproof sleave.
Store both either in a home-based fireproof safe, in a bank safe deposit box, or with a younger attorney whom you appoint as executor of your estate. You also might consider drafting one of the available trust formats for when your luck runs out… I used to travel extensively on business and had my attorney draft a non-revocable trust that would take care of my parents and the "pour over" will had my attorney as initial executor and the bank to manage the installment payment terms of the trust.
Second bullet:
Digital and printed content stored in a bank safety deposit box.
Unless you are a member of the bar, don't be your own attorney in the above matters. Seek professional advice.
All my passwords were in my Keychain on the old iMac (the HDD crashed in 2022). Shouldn't the keychain continue via iCloud onto my current iMac?
If yes, well ... nothing happens!
If no ... I may as well forget the document! Which is a pity, as I had all my financial related info of the time in it.
Issues that this has brought up:
What are the best ways to store such documents for posterity?
No, I didn't and don't use Migration Assistant or Time Machine! An experience on an earlier MacBook had given me a huge headache because of data corruption on the Time Machine drive which I didn't know about (my Address book was under iPhotos, etc). All my important financial stuff is regularly backed up on DVD's once a month and on 2 external HDDs. Both my 2013 and my 2021 iMac setup used whatever was in these DVDs. I've cross checked that with whatever was on iCloud for this current iMac. I only keep data on the computer that is less than 5 years old. I'm now presuming that I won't be able to access that Pages document, a pity. I do have a text file with all the passwords but doubt if it has this specific document password. All the same, I'll look.
Your response to my first bullet point: These have been done except for the text file with the password along with the pages and pdf format in that unique folder on a DVD. I'll start doing this from now on. The documents have been printed and stored in a waterproof sleeve in a fire-proof safe. Right now, it's only at home. I'll get around to putting it in the bank safe deposit. The younger attorney part as well as the trust part hasn't been done yet. I have to get around to doing that.
Your response to my second bullet point: These have already been done and the pile is stacking up. But again, these are only at home. I need to have them at the bank too.
Thank you for your response! It was of tremendous help!
You are welcome.
Pages 2016 document password
