Why doesn't safari use keychain

Question

Level 1

13 points

Why doesn't safari use keychain

Out local library has changed their login for the online catalog. It's a pretty simple login. I generally access it sung Safari. The most recent version of Safari doesn't even attempt to save the user name and password. No screen items pop up to ask me if I want to save it. It used to come up with a screen asking me if I wanted to save the password for new sites. Does anyone have any idea what Apple has done to get this to not work?

Yes, I am using the latest version of both the MacOS and Safari. I use the App Store App and update when they come up. I actually tried this on two of my Macs, both with the latest OS and Safari.

The sad thing is, Firefox works fine. I go to the same URL and Firefox asks me if I would like to save the login info and I say yes. When I return, it just works. This is what I would expect from an Apple App. My guess is some link between keychain and Safari is confused.

I haven't seen any issues related to sites I have set up access previously. Their UN/PWs seem to work as I expect. I haven't tried logging into any other "new" sites, but I doubt it is specifically related to this site since FireFox will store the password.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Jul 21, 2014 4:08 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 21, 2014 4:42 PM in response to TBade

Open Keychain Access located in HD > Applications > Utilities

Select Passwords on the left.

Type in the name of the website top right corner of that window in the search field then delete that keychain.

Back to Safari. From your Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Autofill Tab.

Make sure: User names and passwords is selected.

Now select the Password tab then remove the library website name.

Now login to the library website. Click Yes to save that data to a new keychain.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 21, 2014 4:47 PM in response to TBade

Do you log in to your OS X account automatically, or do you enter a password?

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Answer 3

TBade Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 22, 2014 2:31 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hi Carolyn,

Very well written reply there, thanks for taking the time to do it. It is appreciated.

Sadly, Safari doesn't take part in the last line of your comments. It never asks me if I want to save the data to the keychain.

So I modify my question, I did all that Carolyn suggests. Safari doesn't ask to save the password. FireFox does, so it isn't related to the site. Any other ideas why? I should also mention that the new login site is different from the old one, although the domain is still the same.

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Answer 4

TBade Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 22, 2014 2:30 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

I log in automatically.

I think i mentioned that keychain works for other sites I visit. Those that were set up previously.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 22, 2014 2:33 PM in response to TBade

Forced password autofill on sites that don't normally allow it is a feature of Safari that is enabled only if automatic login is disabled. Since automatic login is quite unsafe, I suggest you do disable it. Otherwise, you'll have to enter the passwords manually or use a third-party solution. I don't have a specific recommendation.

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Answer 6

TBade Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 23, 2014 2:13 PM in response to Linc Davis

I don't think that the Library site prevents autofill. As I mentioned, Firefox does this with no issue. However, I did set up a different new site yesterday and Safari did ask me if I wanted to save my password/username. I will contact the library people to see if their vendor is set up to not allow autofill. I will also try your suggestion and see if that changes things. I will reply with my results.

Thank you for the suggestion.

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Answer 7

TBade Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 23, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

Well I tried your suggestion. Nope It doesn't work that way either. Correct me if i am wrong, but this "feature" of forcing auto login was an option that one could click on or off in Safari preferences in some past revision of Safari. With the current version, the user choice is disabled and Apple controls the feature by making it mandatory that the user logs into their computer to get the function to work. Am I close?

It is almost like Safari doesn't manage to see this as a login page.

Still looking for answers.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 23, 2014 3:26 PM in response to TBade

Am I close?

Yes.

It is almost like Safari doesn't manage to see this as a login page.

Password autofill doesn't work on some sites. If it works on this site with Firefox, use that, or use a third-party password manager. I don't have a specific recommendation.

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