how to recover keychain from Time Machine

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Level 3

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how to recover keychain from Time Machine

I was having all sorts of problems with OS 10.11. So I deleted it and reinstalled a "clean" version. I have been able to recover many files from my time machine, but can't seem to get anything regarding the old keychain data, in particular, the passwords from from an earlier Time Machine backup. Further, I believe that Apple has hidden the user/library, so I can't find it on Time Machine. I had seen other postings in regard to this topic, but I believe the latest was from 2013/14.

Perhaps I have misunderstood what Time Machine is supposed to do?

If I have to, I would not mind having to copy each password and pasting it into the websites that I need access to.

Is this even possible, or do I need to go to each website and request a new password?

Thank you

~DN

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on May 20, 2016 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

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theratter

Level 4

3,955 points

May 20, 2016 12:37 PM in response to danuke

Three Ways to Make the Home/Library Folder Visible

A. This method will make the folder visible permanently. Open the Terminal application in the Utilities folder and paste the following at the command prompt:

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Press RETURN.

B. Click on the Desktop, press the Option (⌥) key, select Library from the Finder's Go menu.

C. Select Go To Folder from the Finder's Go menu. Paste the following in the path field:

~/Library

Click on the Go button.

There is more than one keychain file on the computer. The major one is a Keychains folder located in the /Home/Library/ folder. The second Keychains folder is located in the /Library/ folder at the root of your disk drive. Both should be in your Time Machine backup if you did a full system backup. To help you recover these please visit Pondini's Time Machine FAQ for help with Time Machine. This is an extensive site with most everything you may need for using Time Machine. You will not find a better resource for Time Machine in one location. Due to the passing of James Pondini the site is no longer being updated. Therefore, some of the information may be a little outdated. But you will find the method for restoring a single file or folder from a Time Machine backup at his site.

[Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]

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Answer 2

danuke Author

Level 3

867 points

May 21, 2016 3:39 AM in response to theratter

Thank you for your answer. The command line does indeed show the home library on my hard drive, alas, however, it does not show anything on the time machine. I appreciate the link to Mr. Pondini's FAQ, but it appears, as you said to be very outdated, i.e. Mountain Lion which, I believe, still allowed one to see the home library.

I am restoring my old home folder to my desk top and will try using the chflags command on that folder and see it that will get it to show the library when I open it. Otherwise, I may end up calling Apple.

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Answer 3

theratter

Level 4

3,955 points

May 21, 2016 4:18 PM in response to danuke

Just apply the instruction I provided to change the flags on your Home/Library/ folder where it is located. As for the Time Machine backup you may need to reveal all hidden items:

Open the Terminal application in the Utilities folder. Paste the following command line at the prompt, then press RETURN.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

killall Finder

To make all invisible files invisible once again paste the following command line at the prompt, then press RETURN.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

killall Finder

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Answer 4

danuke Author

Level 3

867 points

May 23, 2016 3:27 AM in response to theratter

Howdy,

Regarding the first command. Is that one line that got folded by the website or two different commands?

Defaults .....

killall finder...

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Answer 5

danuke Author

Level 3

867 points

May 23, 2016 3:34 AM in response to theratter

Alright, I just went ahead and copied the two lines and pasted. It looked odd on terminal but apparently worked.

I can see all the hidden folders on both the iMac and time machine but they have a faded look.

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Answer 6

theratter

Level 4

3,955 points

May 23, 2016 12:28 PM in response to danuke

That is how invisible files appear - ghosted. It's normal. When you make them invisible again they will simply disappear from view as before.

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Answer 7

danuke Author

Level 3

867 points

May 25, 2016 5:17 AM in response to theratter

Thank you for all your help again. I was able to recover and install the old user library files on my desktop. I can open certain keychain files in that library by simply double clicking them, and keychain starts up, but the file that I suspect is my old website password file results in an error message saying :

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Answer 8

theratter

Level 4

3,955 points

May 25, 2016 3:26 PM in response to danuke

I am unsure what that means. My interpretation is the item is corrupt or damaged or otherwise cannot be imported. But I do not know, specifically, what prevents it from being imported.

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