HT201609: If your Mac keeps asking for the login keychain password

Learn about If your Mac keeps asking for the login keychain password
Fiddledock

Q: What do you do when Keychain does not work?

That is: there are occasions when keychain does not supply your password e.g. when adding a gmail (or other) account, within 'settings -mail'  to mail on iPhone, iPad or Mac.

If you trust Keychain and don't make a note of all your passwords how do you access your passwords when Keychain doesn't help?

If I knew the answer to this question it would save my entire week!

MacBook Pro, null

Posted on Sep 28, 2015 6:50 AM

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Q: What do you do when Keychain does not work?

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Sep 29, 2015 6:44 AM in response to Fiddledock
    Community Specialists
    Sep 29, 2015 6:44 AM in response to Fiddledock

    Hello Fiddledock,

     

    It sounds like you are trying to get iCloud Keychain to autofill your password when you are entering your mail account settings in Settings > Mail, Contacts, and Calendars. According to the following article iCloud Keychain is a function that works in Safari:

     

    Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain

    iCloud Keychain keeps your Safari website usernames and passwords, credit card information, and Wi-Fi network information up to date across all of your approved devices that are using iOS 7.0.3 or later or OS X Mavericks v10.9 or later.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

  • by Fiddledock,

    Fiddledock Fiddledock Sep 29, 2015 9:28 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mac App Store
    Sep 29, 2015 9:28 AM in response to sterling r

    Thanks for your wonderfully quick response!

    So, is there a way I can log into Keychain to access my passwords so I can fill in the correct password in settings?

    Or do I need to change my password and this time make a note of it? (in this case this would involve a meeting with the tech person on campus, it's not - apparently - as simple, in this case, as clicking the 'I've forgotten my password button' and checking my e-mail.)

    Have I dug a hole for myself?

    Thanks very much for your help!

  • by sterling r,Solvedanswer

    sterling r sterling r Sep 30, 2015 2:30 AM in response to Fiddledock
    Community Specialists
    Sep 30, 2015 2:30 AM in response to Fiddledock

    There is indeed a way to see your passwords! You can do that in your Safari Settings:

     

    Go to Settings > Safari > Passwords

    iCloud Keychain - iPhone

     

    You will need to enter your passcode or use your Touch ID to access it.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

  • by Fiddledock,

    Fiddledock Fiddledock Sep 30, 2015 2:29 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mac App Store
    Sep 30, 2015 2:29 AM in response to sterling r

    Wow!

    Thank you SO much!

    You've saved my week xx

  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Sep 30, 2015 6:30 AM in response to Fiddledock
    Community Specialists
    Sep 30, 2015 6:30 AM in response to Fiddledock

    Woohoo! My pleasure, glad to have helped!