Since macOS 10.11.2 (macOS Sierra) the keychain app has been updated for better security and the keychain repair utility has been removed to stop malware hijacking the repair utility and accessing your passwords.
So, what can you do if for example you have a constant nag from macOS to enter your keychain password after logging in.
The answer is you have to repair it yourself, it’s not as difficult as you might first imagine although more time consuming than pressing a button to repair the keychain.
If your only problem is a slow keychain it’s easy enough to delete the items you no longer need, however first make a backup. This can be done in the usual way using Time Machine, however it is wise to also copy your existing keychain to another location and use this as a backup. You can find the keychain in ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db
Where (~) is your home directory.
After you have your backup of login.keychain-db stored on your desktop (don’t leave it in ~/Library/Keychains/) open the Keychain Access App from > Applications/Utilities.
Just as a cautionary note it is a bad idea to change the “System” or “System Roots” Keychains.
Moving on if you have a large Keychain, this one is only 1,500 items you can remove older items that you no longer use, however make sure you have made the backup first.
Carefully check that you are not going to need the item first before deleting and then either highlight the item and press delete (backspace) or right click on the item and choose delete, Keychain Access will ask you to confirm deletion of the item.
Keychain on your Mac can handle 1,000’s of items so even on this Mac with over 1,500 it is not particularly necessary just good housekeeping.
If you delete an item by mistake and can’t retrieve the information make a copy of the backup keychain you created earlier and change the file name, then copy this file to ~/Library/Keychains. Double clicking the backup keychain in the finder will open it in the Keychain Access app and you can then copy the item back into your login keychain.
In my case I renamed the backup keychain file “bckupLOGINkeychain”.
In the keychain list on the left hand side of the Keychain Access app you will see your backup list with the same name you have given to the file, don’t remove the .keychain-db extension!
So that should be a slow Keychain fixed and you now have the basics for using the Keychain Access app.
Occasionally you can have a problem with your keychain that after logging into your Mac you are constantly asked to enter your Keychain password and this Keychain password is different from your login password, this usually occurs after changing your login password and the keychain doesn’t get updated.
It’s very easy to fix, open > Applications/Utilities/Keychain Access, from the list on the left open the default keychain which is usually called login.
Now in Keychain Access choose the edit menu and then “Change password for keychain “login””.
It is also possible to have 2 user keychains, simply merge both keychains into the “login” keychain.
Select the additional keychain from the list on the left hand side, then either Edit > Select All or Press ⌘ a.
Now drag those items from the additional keychain into the “login” keychain.
As noted at the beginning you always need to make a backup before carrying out any of these steps.
AI Usage Transparency Report
Pre-AI Era · Written before widespread use of generative AI tools
AI Signal Composition
Score: 0.05 · Low AI Influence
Summary
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to repair and manage the Keychain on a Mac, including deleting unnecessary items, making backups, and merging keychains.
Related Posts
The new Mac Pro Tower: Wheels optional
So happy to see that Apple is going back to its ability to allow users to upgrade and customize their Mac Pro tower experience. There was much much love for the old Cheese Grater style Mac Pro and many are still in use because of their overall upgradeability and customization. Not saying that the Trash Can approach was bad. It was in line with their motto, think different. Coming up with a new and unique approach to power computing.
MacOS 10.15 Catalina Releasing this Fall
Wow things move quickly from year to year. No surprise here. MacOS Catalina brings a whole new level of cool back to the Mac in my honest opinion. I am so happy that Apple has decided to break out iTunes into multiple apps. iTunes back in the day was so awesome, easy to use and simplistic. Now it tends to be a power hungry and semi confusing app to use as its the defacto app for everything. How about that annoying feature that automatically launched iTunes when your phone was...
Thanks to our wonderful clients for a great 2018
--- This year was a year of Growth here at Grove Technologies. Our company changed brand, re-defined its core strategy and competency. During this time of transition we learned a lot about what we want to accomplish moving forward and the new direction that we will be moving in. That said I want to thank all of the passionate and amazing clients that trust us with their technology. We are proud to be able to claim that we are helping further many social justice, climate and advocacy movements as well...
Back Up Before Upgrading to Mojave or iOS 12
Poll a room of Apple experts about the one topic they can't stop talking about and many will launch into frustrated rants about how too few people back up. Backups are always important, since you can never predict when your Mac or iPhone will be lost or stolen, melt in a fire, or just break. But one time when backups are especially important is before you upgrade to a major new operating system. If you're thinking "What could go wrong?" the answer is, "Lots," and wouldn't you like to be...
Top Features of iOS 12 to Take Advantage of Right Away
Feeling left behind because you don't have the latest iPhone or iPad? Don't worry, because Apple has a present for you in the form of iOS 12. The new operating system promises to increase performance, particularly for older devices as far back as the iPhone 5s and iPad Air. This means that your device will be able to run more smoothly and efficiently, making it feel like a newer model again.
Seriously Cool Features of macOS 10.14 Mojave You Won’t Want to Miss
With last year's macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Apple made no sweeping changes, instead focusing on refinements and bug fixes. In keeping with the company's alternating cycle of releases, this year's macOS 10.14 Mojave boasts a range of new features that build upon the previous version. As expected, these additions are incremental rather than revolutionary, allowing users to gradually adapt to the updated functionality without feeling overwhelmed by drastic changes.
When Should You Upgrade to macOS 10.14 Mojave, iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12
When Should You Upgrade to macOS 10.14 Mojave, iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12? --- It's that time of year again, when an Apple user's thoughts drift to new versions of macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Apple announced the new versions in June, and public betas have been available since. But once Apple makes macOS 10.14 Mojave, iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 available for free download, you'll need to decide when to install each.
How to Deal with macOS Server Losing Many of Its Services
For many years, Apple has sold macOS Server (previously called OS X Server) for those who wanted to run various Unix-based Internet services on a Mac. Server became popular because it put an easy-to-use graphical interface on top of the Unix apps, allowing Mac users to avoid complicated configuration files and reducing the need to work at the command line. This made it accessible to a wider range of users, including those without extensive technical knowledge, who still wanted to manage their own servers.
Sneak Preview of What’s Coming from Apple This Fall
At Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference keynote on June 4th, the company unveiled the first developer versions of all four of its operating systems: macOS 10.14 Mojave, iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12. They won’t be available until this fall, likely in September or October, but here is a glimpse of what you can expect from these upcoming updates. The new features and improvements will be detailed further at the conference, giving developers a head start on preparing their apps for the new operating systems.
Apple Pay Is Faster, Easier, More Secure, and More Private Than Using Credit Cards
You’ve probably heard of Apple Pay, but have you set it up so you can use it to pay for purchases at checkout? If not, give it a try, since it’s one of those living-in-the-future Apple technologies that feels like science fiction every time you use it. Simply put your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch within an inch or so of a compatible payment terminal (look for an Apple Pay or contactless payment logo), put your finger on the Home button to use Touch ID (or double-press the iPhone’s side...
