rtaruskin

Q: on startup my iMac asks for my iCloud password twice

for the last two months, on startup I am asked for my iCloud password twice, in two separate windows, one after the other. I learned that I did not have to put my password in to get the computer running fine. why is it asking that and how do I get it to stop?

iMac, iOS 8.4.1

Posted on Aug 15, 2015 6:46 AM

Close

Q: on startup my iMac asks for my iCloud password twice

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 15, 2015 7:01 AM in response to rtaruskin
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Aug 15, 2015 7:01 AM in response to rtaruskin

    Do you use iCloud Keychain?

  • by rtaruskin,

    rtaruskin rtaruskin Aug 16, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 16, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

    apparently not. after you asked this question I looked at keychain access. Playing with that I see that it is clear I do not use Keychain for my iPhone or iPad. I do not have it locked.

    When I locked it, the computer started asking me for my password for all sorts of keychain items. I unlocked it and it stopped.

    when I start the computer it asks for my apple id password for iCloud., but not in the way that keychain asks for it. I don't put it in any more, and the iCloud works fine (for example, I can still share on iCloud photos.)

    I don't think keychain has anything to do with it.

    the two times it asks me to put in my iCloud apple id password the small window boxes are identical to each other.

    I click cancel each time and they go away.

    something is causing this to happen, I don't know what.

    thanks for the suggestion about keychain, but I don't think it is that.

    oh yes, one more thing, I keep all software up to date. the version of Yosemite that I use it 10.10.4 (not what is in the first post)

    Im surprised no one else has this issue.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 17, 2015 6:28 AM in response to rtaruskin
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Aug 17, 2015 6:28 AM in response to rtaruskin

    Please open the Sharing pane in System Preferences and check that the computer name has not been changed by appending a number to it.

  • by rtaruskin,

    rtaruskin rtaruskin Aug 17, 2015 6:54 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 6:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Very interesting. There was a number to my computer name. an 8, I changed the name back to what it should be and restarted.

    I still got the two windows to put in my iCloud apple id.

    But you got the number right. it was changed. but it did not stop the start up request.

    any other ideas? I love your insight. eventually you will hit on the item that causes it to ask for the iCloud apple id password.

    I have faith in you.

    thanks

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 17, 2015 9:36 AM in response to rtaruskin
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Aug 17, 2015 9:36 AM in response to rtaruskin

    Please sign out of iCloud in its preference pane and see whether there's any change. No data will be removed from the servers, and you can retrieve it by signing back in. That said, you should always have a current archive of the data for safety's sake, even if you don't sign out.

  • by rtaruskin,

    rtaruskin rtaruskin Aug 17, 2015 11:44 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 11:44 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I knew having faith in you would pay off.

    I use two step security. FaceTime and iMessages needed a special password other than my password (an App password).

    doing that and then signing out of iCloud and then back in, no more messages for my apple ID.

    Good Work.

    Thank you for your help

  • by Harry_The_Bustard,

    Harry_The_Bustard Harry_The_Bustard Sep 9, 2015 12:56 PM in response to rtaruskin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 9, 2015 12:56 PM in response to rtaruskin

    I experienced this problem after moving to another Mac - actually of identical specification - and, yes, entering the app-specific password shared by FaceTime and Messages (required as I also use Two-Step Verification) solved the problem.  The curious thing was that I entered that password when I signed into each application for the first time after migrating and setting up iCloud so the question begs why I was asked again.  (There must be a bug somewhere.)  It is also annoying that the prompts give no clue as to which iCloud password they want - and what for - as one might naturally assume it's the top-level one.  Such also makes one wonder if it's a genuine system request and not malware.