Managing passwords efficiently and securely is crucial for any macOS user. macOS provides a built-in tool called Keychain Access, which helps users store and manage passwords, certificates, and other sensitive information securely. This article will guide you through the process of managing passwords using Keychain Access on macOS.

Understanding Keychain Access

Keychain Access is a password management system that stores your passwords and account information, reducing the need to remember and manage multiple passwords manually. It is integrated into macOS, providing a seamless experience across Apple devices.

How to Access Keychain Access

1. Open Keychain Access:

   • Go to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.

2. Navigating Keychain Access:

   • On the left panel, you'll see different keychains like login, iCloud, and System.
   • The login keychain is the default and stores most of your passwords.

Examples: Managing Passwords with Keychain Access

Example 1: Adding a New Password

1. Open Keychain Access.
2. Select the login Keychain from the left panel.
3. Click on File > New Password Item.
4. Enter the details:
   • Name: Enter a descriptive name for the password item.
   • Account: Enter the username or account associated with the password.
   • Password: Enter the password you want to store.
5. Click Add to save the password.

Example 2: Viewing a Stored Password

1. Open Keychain Access.
2. Select the login Keychain.
3. Search for the item using the search bar at the top right.
4. Double-click the item to open its properties.
5. Check the box next to Show Password.
6. Enter your macOS password when prompted to view the stored password.

Example 3: Deleting a Password

1. Open Keychain Access.
2. Select the login Keychain.
3. Search for the item you wish to delete.
4. Right-click the item and select Delete.
5. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Command-Line Management with security Command

For advanced users, macOS provides the security command-line tool to manage keychains.

Example 4: Listing Keychain Items via Terminal

security find-generic-password -a "account_name" -s "service_name"

• Replace "account_name" with the actual account name.
• Replace "service_name" with the actual service name.

Example 5: Adding a Password via Terminal

security add-generic-password -a "account_name" -s "service_name" -w "password"

• Replace "account_name", "service_name", and "password" with your specific details.

Conclusion

Managing passwords on macOS is straightforward with Keychain Access, providing a secure and integrated solution for storing sensitive information. Whether using the graphical interface or command-line tools, macOS offers robust options for password management.