What is Keychain Access in macOS?

What is Keychain Access in macOS?

Keychain Access is a database that stores passwords. Its job is to remember the frequently used passwords and certificates so that you don't have to.

When you access a website or other password-protected item, you may be given the option to save the password. If you choose to save the password, it's saved in your keychain so you don't have to type your password every time.

The default keychain password is the same password you use with your login user account.

To Reset Your Keychain (you don't remember the original account password scenario)

1. Minimize/close all of your open windows.
2. Click anywhere on your desktop to return to the FINDER menu bar.
3. Click GO on menu bar, select Utilities
4. Open Keychain Access
5. From the menu bar, click Keychain Access, choose Preferences
   
   
6. Click GENERAL, then Reset My Default Keychain
   
   
7. At the prompt, type your login account password
8. Quit Keychain
9. Restart your computer

View Forgotten Keychain Passwords (ie: websites, email account, other passwords)

1. Minimize/close all of your open windows.
2. Click anywhere on your desktop to return to the FINDER menu bar.
3. Click GO on menu bar, select Utilities.
4. Open Keychain Access.
5. Click login keychain from the list of keychains on the left side of window. Click Passwords.
   
   
6. From the list of passwords, locate the entry you want to retrieve the password for and double-click
   
   
7. Check the box that says "Show Password"
   
   
8. At the password prompt, type in the password (the password you used to login to the computer). Click ALLOW
   
   
9. The forgotten password will now appear as text in the field next to Show Password (Note: the password was blanked out for this example)