iCloud repeatedly asking for password

iCloud system preferences is showing a warning triangle and says Update Apple ID Settings. The button next to it says Continue.


If you press the Continue button, you get precisely the same message again, and another Continue button.


Then you get an Apple ID password field.


Then, sometimes, you get another password field. This one has the poorly written text:


The password you use to unlock this Mac is used to access your Apple ID, saved passwords, and other data stored in iCloud when you sign in on a new device.


Adding the password prompts ANOTHER password field, again asking for your Mac password, but with slightly different text. This ALWAYS fails to verify.


The only option is to cancel.


I am only trying to reactivate the keychain after some issues. Ticking the Keychain tick box requests the iCloud password, then does nothing?


Any ideas?

Posted on Aug 7, 2018 2:05 AM

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13 replies

Aug 7, 2018 9:42 AM in response to Nathan Jones2

For setting up Apple ID , enter your Apple ID password and click on ok .

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And for setting up iCloud Keychain see this article If you enter your iCloud Security Code incorrectly too many times - Apple Support

Follow the steps in the last paragraph of the article , ie rest the keychain .

On a Mac with OS X Yosemite or later:

  1. Choose Apple User uploaded file menu > System Preferences.
  2. Click iCloud, then select Keychain. You might be asked to enter your Apple ID password.
  3. Click Use Code, then choose Forgot Code when you're asked to enter your iCloud Security Code.
  4. Click Reset Keychain to replace your keychain in iCloud with the iCloud Keychain from your device.
  5. Click Reset iCloud Keychain to confirm.
  6. Follow the onscreen steps to create a new iCloud Security Code.

Aug 7, 2018 7:46 AM in response to Nathan Jones2

First reset you Apple ID password .

Click on system preferences > I cloud > click on account details .

Click on forgot password .

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Click on continue .

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Check the box of reset by email and click on continue .

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A pop up will appear and click on ok .

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Now , open your web mail rescue account by entering the mail address and password , in the mail inbox click on the mail it will be showing .

Dear ….your first name and last name will be written .

You recently made a request to reset your id .Please click the link below to complete the process .

Reset now >

If you did not make this , if you did not make this change or you believe an unauthorised person has access your account , go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your password without delay .Following this , sign into your Apple ID account page at https://appleid.apple.com to review and update your security settings .

You have to click on reset now >

A window will appear , enter the new password , in the confirm password field type the same password , and click on reset password .

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First change the password , in the next post I'll try to reset the iCloud Keychain , also a question do you have iCloud verification code in your records ? you must be using trusted mobile number .

Aug 7, 2018 9:53 AM in response to Nathan Jones2

Your iCloud Keychain is not set up , the box for keychain is also not checked , an option button is shown , when you click on it the country code and your trusted mobile number is shown , if you are using two step verification - option button is never shown .

Did you tried the steps and what was the results .

if a user has a iCloud verification in his records , he can enter as you have posted in the above screen shots , and a six digit code comes to the trusted mobile number , you have to enter it and after a while the keychain box gets checked .

but you already wrote - you haven't got the code .


So take help of iOS phone and create a new iCloud verification code .

See this method -

If you enable two step authentication in Mac , there will be an error waiting for approval from another device below keychain , in system preferences > iCloud is opened and you won't be able to set up iCloud Keychain .

To sort out this problem , enter with the same Apple ID and password in Mac and iOS device .

In iOS device go to settings > iCloud > Keychain set up a passcode and write down the code in a safe place .see this articleUse a passcode with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Only follow the paragraph in the article how to generate passcode .

Then follow this article Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain - Apple Support

See the paragraph of how to set up iCloud keychain in this article .

The 4 th point -

Follow the onscreen instructions.

These steps are not mentioned in the article , you have to follow the steps by itself and has to take help of apple support senior advisor only .

A lengthy procedure is there and click on request for approval , you have to generate a new iCloud security code by typing in iOS screen example 6785 , and write down in safe place so that it will always help in future if any iCloud Keychain problems come .

The box of keychain in iCloud will get checked but still an error will be shown unable to connect to iCloud , open options button in front of keychain check the box of allow approving with security code but you will notice the trusted mobile number of yours is not being added .

Note : How to disable two step authentication as soon as you enable it a mail will come in your web mail account ( could be gmail ) , in the inbox mail you will see reverse two step authentication just click on it , its easy method than entering in Apple ID . apple.com and then disabling it from there .

Aug 7, 2018 5:58 AM in response to tygb

Thanks. I'm here as I have already read those!


I haven't entered anything incorrectly at all. I spoke to Apple and they said it was a 'loop'. The issues relate to the poor wording (and sluggish functioning) of the keychain steps.


This seems to be resolved itself, but the original issue - Safari 'forgetting' the passwords, remains. I'll make separate post for that.

Aug 7, 2018 6:26 AM in response to tygb

Screen one, issue with Apple ID, press continueUser uploaded file

Screen two, exactly the same message text again, continue againUser uploaded file

Screen three, add the password

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Screen four, add. the password again…User uploaded file

Screen five, add the password yet again.User uploaded file

Screen six, back to where it started. Same warning message.User uploaded file

Screen seven, try again. Once more, duplicated message as on the preference pane.

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Screen eight. Adding the password for the fifth time!User uploaded file

Screen nine. Adding the password for the sixth time…User uploaded file

Screen ten, adding the password for the seventh timeUser uploaded file

Screen eleven, yeah…

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Screen twelve, oh this is different!User uploaded file

Ah… no idea what this code is…User uploaded file

Canceling the iCloud code, the Mac then asks for the Mac password. Whilst typing, ANOTHER slide down opens up asking fo the Mac password.

I have repeated (and repeated) these steps several times over a few weeks on High Sierra. This is not a one off thing.


I have signed out, restarted and signed back in etc. as per other iCloud issue posts. The single biggest problem is the poor worked out step by step procedure, and even more, the bad english in the messages.


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Aug 7, 2018 9:28 AM in response to tygb

Hi,


Thanks for the reply, but I haven't forgotten my password. The issue is with the poor design of the iCloud process - constantly asking for the same password for different reasons, but not explaining it clearly enough. The process often fails the first time.


I don't need to do a password reset process, which is itself extremely clunky, confusing and time consuming!


I don't have an iCloud verification number. That is not working for this, hence going the alternative route where it asks for the Mac password.


To be clear, the above might help someone, but it is off topic. I know the passwords, I just don't know why I have to keep entering them repeatedly in this confusing and convoluted fashion.

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iCloud repeatedly asking for password

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