User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Keychain Unlock - Menubar Access

A few days ago I upgraded from Lion v. 10.7.5 to Mountain Lion v. 10.8.2.

After that upgrade a curious behavior began.

The "unlock" command on the menubar Keychain Access menu no longer generates the prompt to enter my "login" password to unlock that keychain. The same is true for the two other keychains listed in the menu.

The menu does function for locking the keychains and opening the security preferences and keychain access.

If I launch an app that requires keychain access (Safari, Mail) the prompt to enter the login keychain password appears. I've tried removing and regenerating the Keychain plist to no avail.

Has anyone else experienced this behavior?

Any suggestions on how to return to normal behavior?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Recent OS upgrade from Lion, 10.7.5

Posted on Jan 18, 2013 3:06 PM

Reply
24 replies
User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,739 points

Jan 18, 2013 5:48 PM in response to Tuzarupa

Quit Keychain Access.


Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:


security lock-keychain ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain


Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).


Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:


☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)


☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.


☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.


Paste (command-V) into the Terminal window.


Post any lines of output that appear below what you entered — the text, please, not a screenshot. Then repeat with this line:


security unlock-keychain ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain

You should be prompted for your password.

Reply
User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 19, 2013 10:55 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi,

Thanks for taking your time to answer. Unfortunately all this did was lock and unlock the one (login) keychain.

There was no output in terminal after entry of the command you provided other that a prompt line for my account.

I am still unable to access all three of the keychain unlock prompts from the menubar icon for Keychain access

If I select any of the three lines (3 keychains) for the "Unlock" command nothing happens. All other functions on this menu work, including lock keychain and access the Keychain Access app.

I tried a few times and duplicated results.

However, I also tried entering the "lock" command you provied and then unlocking from the Keychain Access app. (the drop down menu form the icon still not functioning). Interestingly enough, the "padlock" on the applicaiton opened but the menubar icon did not. I then locked the keychain in the app and then entered the command you provided to "unlock" in terminal and the menubar icon opened but the icon in the app did not. I entered the password in the app and it opened so now the app and menubar icon are synched but the icon drop down menu to unlock remains non-functional.

Any other ideas?

Reply
User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
685,221 points

Jan 19, 2013 11:19 AM in response to Tuzarupa

To do what baltwo suggests, you'll need to make your user library visible.


Hold down the option key while using the Finder "Go To Folder" command. Enter ~/Library.


If you prefer to make your user library permanently visible, use the Terminal command found below. It does work with Mountain Lion:


http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/22/access-user-library-folder-in-os-x-lion/


You might want to bookmark the command. I had to use it again after I installed 10.8.2. I have also been informed that if you drag the user library to Finder it will remain visible.

Reply
User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 19, 2013 11:29 AM in response to baltwo

Thanks for the suggestion. I like to lock the Keychain on sleep. The option you mentioned is already selected, always has been. I also previously removed and regenerated the plist before I posted. No luck.


Additionally - I assumed the the application icon and menubar icon were synched after this:

" I also tried entering the "lock" command you provied and then unlocking from the Keychain Access app. (the drop down menu form the icon still not functioning). Interestingly enough, the "padlock" on the applicaiton opened but the menubar icon did not. I then locked the keychain in the app and then entered the command you provided to "unlock" in terminal and the menubar icon opened but the icon in the app did not. I entered the password in the app and it opened so now the app and menubar icon are synched but the icon drop down menu to unlock remains non-functional."


but I was wrong. Now the app and menubar icon status are different. The menubar icon does not respond (show open) after I enter the password in the Keychain App. Also affects function - mail prompts for the password even if it shows open in the the app but closed in the menubar.

Reply
User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 19, 2013 11:58 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc,


I must have "fat fingered" the reply and marked "this helped me" unfortunately your suggestion did not - but i do appreciate your help and effort.


As stated earlier - entering the lock command you provided generated no response, just a new command line.

The keychain did lock and unlock.

I can also do that from the Keychain Access app.

All other menu functions from the keychain icon menubar work.

Removing the icon and replacing - no joy

Removing the plist and regenerating - no joy

New keychain - same behavior.

Rebooting after trying all above - no joy.


Any other suggestions welcome. Why one piece of the menubar function has failed while others still work seems like rather odd behavior.



Thanks

Reply
User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 19, 2013 1:09 PM in response to Linc Davis

Yes, I've rebooted several times, no change.

Also, after rebooting again, it now seems like the synch between the app and the icon is gone again.

I can unlock the keychain in the KC app, and the "lock" icon opens but the icon on the menubar does not.

Cuiriously, if I then launch Mail, I am prompted for the Login keychain password - even throuhg the KC app shows it as open.

Odd. Thought I had that synched back but obviously not.

Reply
User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,739 points

Jan 19, 2013 1:31 PM in response to Tuzarupa

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether your problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.


Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

  • Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
  • When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
  • If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.
Reply
User profile for user: Tuzarupa
Tuzarupa Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 19, 2013 3:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

OK - no change in Safe Mode boot. Same behavior as before on all keychains.


After regular reboot, same behavior as before. However, one added twist. If I select to lock the login keychain the menubar icon does not change (remains open) but the icon in the Keychain Access app does close. It also opens in the app when I reenter the password.


I confirmed locking is taking place by launching Mail. Prompt to enter login password received and entered, login keychain opens. Also noted that after the keychain is locked, that option remains in the menubar icon but the option to open the login keychain is not. As if it still is getting a signal that the keychain has not been locked when in fact is has.

Seems like there may be an element coordinating the behavior between the app and the menubar icon menu and that is where the trouble is.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Keychain Unlock - Menubar Access

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up