Is iCloud Keychain Safe?

All user information is saved on the device and on iCloud servers via end-to-end encryption, which protects it and prevents even Apple technicians from accessing it while it’s being uploaded or stored at their data centers. This added security is possible due to a unique private key that’s associated with the hardware and the device’s passcode. While your account usernames and passwords are generally considered to be secured within iCloud Keychain, and the service can speed up your access to websites and apps, it is important to remember that, with this service enabled, most websites will log you in automatically. This can be great for you and your productivity, but it also means anyone else using your device with the same account will be given access to the same sites and apps as well. Because of this, you may wish to limit iCloud on some services and manually log in the old-fashioned way.

What Are iCloud Keychain, Apple Keychain, and iOS Keychain?

The official name used for the Apple password manager is iCloud Keychain, though some people and online resources casually refer to it as Apple Keychain, iOS Keychain, or even just Keychain. Some settings in iOS and macOS also refer to iCloud Keychain as Keychain.

How to Turn on iCloud Keychain on a Mac

iCloud Keychain is likely already enabled on your Mac, but if it’s been turned off, you can turn it back on. Select the Apple menu at the top of the screen and choose System Preferences. Choose iCloud (in macOS Mojave or earlier). In macOS Catalina, click Apple ID and then choose iCloud in the sidebar. Click the box next to Keychain to activate it.

How to Turn on iCloud Keychain on iPhone

How to Find Saved Passwords on a Mac

To find saved passwords on Mac, open Safari. Select Safari in the menu bar and choose Preferences. Select the Passwords tab and enter your credentials to see the passwords screen. Select the website you need the password from. A drop-down window displays the username and password for the account.

How to Find Saved Passwords an iPhone

To find website passwords on an iPhone, tap Settings > Passwords and then tap the name of a website. On the screen that opens, you can view the password. Tap Edit to reset the keychain password, change the user name or delete the information entirely. Forgot keychain passwords and usernames? This information can also be useful if you need to enter an account login information on a device that doesn’t support iCloud Keychain as you can view the individual username and password by tapping on each website name from the list.

What Is Keychain Password?

If your iPhone or Mac ever asks you for a Keychain password, it’s likely you need to reenter your Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the same account used for buying apps from the App Store and media on iTunes. If this doesn’t work on a Mac, you may need to reenter the password you set up for the computer itself. This is usually different from your Apple ID and is used to prevent others from logging in once you turn your Mac on.