How to Find and Edit Passwords in Keychain Access on a Mac
If you are a Mac user, then you probably know about Keychain Access – the tool that stores your passwords and other confidential information in a secure manner. It is a built-in feature of Mac OS X, that allows you to store passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data securely. Once you store your passwords in Keychain, it will automatically log you into your accounts and save you from the trouble of remembering all your login credentials.
However, at times, you might find it necessary to retrieve or edit a password stored in Keychain on Mac. For example, you might have forgotten a password, or you want to change it for security reasons. This article will guide you through the process of finding and editing passwords in Keychain Access on a Mac.
Step 1: Launching Keychain Access
The first step is to launch Keychain Access. You can find it by going to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access. Alternatively, you can use Spotlight to search for “Keychain Access.”
Step 2: Finding the Passwords
Once you launch Keychain Access, you will see a list of your keychains. A keychain is a type of secure storage that Keychain Access uses to save your passwords and other sensitive data. Click on the keychain that you want to manage, and it will display all the items, including passwords, stored within the keychain.
You can also use the search bar located in the upper right corner of the Keychain Access window to find specific passwords. Just type the name of the account or the website that you want to find, and the corresponding passwords will appear in the results.
Step 3: Editing the Passwords
Once you locate the password, you want to edit, double-click on it to open the password details window. Here, you can make any necessary changes, such as changing the password, account ID, or website address.
If you want to change the password, click on the “Show Password” checkbox, and enter your Mac administrator password to view the current password. From there, you can enter a new password, and then click on the “Save Changes” button to save the changes.
Step 4: Adding Passwords to Keychain
If you have a new account that you want to add a password for, Keychain makes it easy to do so. Open the Keychain Access application, click on the “+” sign located in the lower left corner of the window. Enter the account ID, website address, and the password you want to use.
Now, whenever you visit that website or use that account, your Mac will automatically retrieve your password from the Keychain Access application and log you in.