Fixing Duplicate iCloud Log-ins on the Same Mac

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Level 1

14 points

Fixing Duplicate iCloud Log-ins on the Same Mac

Hello,

I was facing few problems with my Mac, so I decided to do a fresh install of Mavericks:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5508584?answerId=23607320022#23607320022

After that, I restored via Migration Assistant using Time Machine from an external hard drive, but un-selected some stuff to migrate.

I was asked to reauthorise my Apple ID as well as its iCloud Keychain, which seems obvious. Later, I noticed that there are some permission errors that couldn't be fixed, so I decided to restore back to the previous backup using Time Machine, by restoring the entire partition.

When restoring was done, I was asked again to authorise my Apple ID and iCloud Keychain.

After using my Mac for a while, I noticed that the contacts account for iCloud is now duplicate. Also, when removing an Internet Account, it asks me if I want to remove it from this Mac, as well as 3 others, including 2 of the same name.

I thought It is an issue with liking my device to iCloud: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5512573

I tried resetting iCloud Keychain: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4644

Few minutes ago, I noticed that the contacts has been triplicated, and my other Mac got the same issue, so probably there should be log-in certicates to iCloud that are being synched with iCloud Keychain across my 2 Macs, resulting in considering the Mac that I restored as 3 devices, and logging in to my other Mac 3 times.

Is there a way to manage the log-in certificates to iCloud from Keychain? (what do I have to for search in Keychain?)

Or do you suggest that it is better to remove all my passwords and certificates in Keychain?

Thank you.

AMDeeb

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Mid 2010, 8GB RAM

Posted on Nov 1, 2013 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

AMDeeb Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 3, 2013 2:54 AM in response to AMDeeb

UPDATE: I have deleted an iCloud log-in certificate/enrty from Keychain by searching for "iCloud" and finding that there is a entry.

This has solved the duplicate account for Contacts on my 2 Macs, but hasn't solved having 3 Macs of the same name associated to my Apple ID

Anyone can help?

Thank you

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Answer 2

lpisati

Level 1

11 points

Nov 3, 2013 4:46 AM in response to AMDeeb

Hi, you can reduce the duplicate contacts by doing the following (I had the issue already)

1. Go to System Preferences and open the iCloud tab

2. Uncheck contacts, it asks you to delete from the local computer, say yes

3. The contacts uncheck, then recheck automatically

4. Redo uncheck / delete for as many times as necessary until it does not check back automaticall again.

5. Now check it back

You will find yourself with only one opy of contacts.

It is clearly a bug, but it looks like that every time you change status of iCloud settings in System Prefereces, you gain a new copy of Contacts ...

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Answer 3

AMDeeb Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 3, 2013 9:07 AM in response to lpisati

lpisati wrote:

Hi, you can reduce the duplicate contacts by doing the following (I had the issue already)

1. Go to System Preferences and open the iCloud tab

2. Uncheck contacts, it asks you to delete from the local computer, say yes

3. The contacts uncheck, then recheck automatically

4. Redo uncheck / delete for as many times as necessary until it does not check back automaticall again.

5. Now check it back

You will find yourself with only one opy of contacts.

It is clearly a bug, but it looks like that every time you change status of iCloud settings in System Prefereces, you gain a new copy of Contacts ...

Hello,

No this solution only fixes the problem momentarily, but after you restart or use Keychain for a while, it comes back, and this also doesn't prevent the duplication to spread across other Macs.

The solution that the I posted above solves this issue, as it removes the duplicate log-in certificate from iCloud Keychain, but doesn't remove the duplication in the name of the Mac.

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Answer 4

Jan 25, 2014 8:05 AM in response to AMDeeb

Hi!

Have you found a solution of the duplication of old Mac devices in the iCloud keychain?

When removing an Internet account I get asked if I want to remove it from this Mac as well as 4 others, two which is my now sold MacBook air...!!??

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Answer 5

AMDeeb Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 25, 2014 12:02 PM in response to thomasemilian

Hi Thomas,

No I haven't found yet. You don't have to worry about the Mac that is sold, unless you haven't signed out from iCloud (or delete your user account, wipe out your drive, etc..) before selling it.

I believe Apple should implement something like Dropbox to Apple ID page or to iCloud.com in Find my iPhone, where you there is a tab that allows you see linked devices and unlink them.

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Answer 6

Jan 25, 2014 7:38 PM in response to AMDeeb

Aah..okay.

I signed out of iCloud, deleted everything and formatted the hard drive. So I guess I'll be fine.

But still it's frustrating there's no way to delete old devices.

Apple should also do something about transferring purchases from one Apple ID to another.

My old Apple ID contains a large amount of expensive apps e.g. Final Cut Pro X. $340 in Norway..!!!

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Answer 7

Martz

Level 1

0 points

Feb 2, 2014 12:52 PM in response to lpisati

thanks, your solution solved the issue on my macbook pro.

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Answer 8

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Feb 2, 2014 2:18 PM in response to thomasemilian

Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.

Feedback

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Answer 9

AMDeeb Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 17, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Eric Root

UPDATE! I checked yesterday and looks like it has been solved by Apple! (I'm currently just using one Mac with my Apple ID)

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Answer 10

Apr 18, 2014 3:58 AM in response to AMDeeb

I have the same problem.

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Answer 11

Oct 11, 2014 9:45 AM in response to AMDeeb

Sorry to revive this topic, but I'm also having the same issue with old MacBooks showing up as having access to my iCloud keychain. Do you have any information regarding how Apple fixed this for you? I reset/rebuilt my keychain by turning it off and setting a new password, but the old MacBook entry still shows up when I go to delete an Internet account.

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Answer 12

clynham

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2014 1:40 PM in response to AMDeeb

Also got this problem. Reinstalled Mavericks on my Air a couple of times and now every time I do anything involving the keychain it just lists the same device multiple times.

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Answer 13

Nov 7, 2014 5:13 AM in response to AMDeeb

Hi everyone!

I'm experiencing the same issue on my new Macbook Air... When I want to delete an account like Twitter or Facebook in Preferences/iCloud, the system say that the modifications will apply on my MB Air and my old MB Pro (that I don't have any more)...

I have tried to remove the keychain and to rebuilt it doesn't change : the old/ghost mac reappear in the message every time so I have just send a feedback to Apple Care.

Anyone got a response for this issue ?

Thanks you very much.

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