How to find KeyChain on MacOS to securely store and sync your passwords and passkeys.

Open KeyChain

Did you know that MacOS, and other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad have an inbuilt password manager called KeyChain? It’s not easily accessible in the Application folder, so you might have missed it.

A lot of people use their ‘Contacts’ app to store passwords, or even worse, use the ‘Notes’ app. This is terribly insecure and puts your most valuable tokens at risk of being stolen, especially if you sync your Contacts with Social Media apps like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Using Keychain to store your passwords on MacOS can provide convenience, security, and integration with other apps on your Mac. It’s built-in, so it just works seamlessly.

It’s a useful tool if you want to manage your passwords in a way that is both secure and easy to use.

But, it’s a little bit difficult to find the KeyChain. Fortunately, in MacOS Ventura, Apple have made it easier to store your passwords. However, did you know there is a separate KeyChain app where you can store all sorts of secure information and notes? It’s an in-built vault, that’s more powerful than just passwords.

You can use the Keychain Access app to manage your stored passwords and make changes to them as needed. There are several reasons why you might want to use Keychain rather than another type of password manager:

1. Keychain is built-in to MacOS. This means that you don’t have to download and install any additional software to use it.
2. Keychain integrates with other apps on your Mac. When you store a password in Keychain, it can be automatically filled in when you access the corresponding website or service in a web browser or other app.
3. Keychain is secure. Your passwords are encrypted and protected with your Mac’s login password, making it difficult for anyone to access them without your permission.
4. Keychain is convenient. You can use it to quickly and easily access your stored passwords without having to remember them or type them in manually.

Simple — How to access Passwords in MacOS Ventura (2022)

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu

2. Access “Passwords” from the Settings menu which also gives you recommendations

3. Passwords stored here are automatically available when browsing Safari.

Advanced — How to use Keychain in all MacOS versions

To store passwords in the Keychain on MacOS, follow these steps.

First, the Keychain Access app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.

1. Click on the “Passwords” category in the sidebar to view all of the passwords that are currently stored in your Keychain.
2. To add a new password, click on the “File” menu and select “New Password Item.”
3. Enter the name of the website or service that you want to store a password for, along with the username and password.
4. Click on the “Add” button to save the password to your Keychain.

What are some alternative Password Managers?

If you want something that’s a bit more purpose-built, you can try some of these alternative password manager tools:

• 1password — 1Password is the world’s most-loved password manager, and has been named top password manager by leading media outlets.
• LastPass — LastPass is a freemium password manager that stores encrypted passwords online.
• BitWarden — Bitwarden is an integrated open source password management solution for individuals, teams, and business organizations.
• Dashlane — Dashlane is a subscription-based password manager and digital wallet application available on macOS, Windows, iOS and Android.
• Keeper — Keeper is the top-rated password and secrets manager for protecting businesses and families from cyberthreats.

Originally published at Internet Stack.
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