macOS · Accounts & Family
Sync passwords and passkeys securely
iCloud Keychain securely stores and syncs passwords, passkeys, and payment information across your Apple devices using end-to-end encryption, and can autofill them in Safari and other apps.
How to open iCloud Keychain
- Open System Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Passwords and Keychain
- Turn on Sync this Mac
- Open Safari → Settings → AutoFill to confirm passwords are included
- Review saved items anytime in the Passwords app
What you should know
- End-to-end encrypted syncing across signed-in Apple devices
- Stores website passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, and passkeys
- AutoFill support in Safari and password fields system-wide
- Security recommendations flag reused or compromised passwords
- Works alongside the standalone Passwords app for browsing saved credentials
Why it matters
Reusing weak passwords across accounts is one of the most common causes of account compromise, and iCloud Keychain directly counters that by making strong, unique, auto-generated passwords as convenient as a weak reused one. Because syncing is end-to-end encrypted, not even Apple can read the stored credentials, which gives users password manager-level security built into the operating system without needing a separate third-party service.
Best practices
- Turn on Security Recommendations to get alerts about weak or reused passwords
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple Account since it protects Keychain sync
- Regularly review saved passwords in the Passwords app and remove old, unused entries
- Use suggested strong passwords when creating new accounts instead of typing your own
Common problems and fixes
- Passwords are not syncing to another Mac or iPhone
- Verify iCloud Keychain is turned on for both devices under Apple ID/iCloud settings and that two-factor authentication is active.
- AutoFill is not offering a saved password
- Check that AutoFill Passwords is enabled in Safari's AutoFill settings and that the site matches the saved entry's domain.
- A device shows as no longer approved for Keychain
- Sign out and back in to iCloud on that device, then re-approve it from a trusted device when prompted.
Tips and tricks
- Use the built-in password generator when signing up for new accounts to avoid ever typing a weak password.
- Check the Security Recommendations list periodically even if you have not had a breach notification.
Frequently asked questions
Is iCloud Keychain the same as the Passwords app?
iCloud Keychain is the underlying secure storage and sync system; the Passwords app is the interface used to view and manage what it stores.
Can I export my passwords from iCloud Keychain?
Yes, saved passwords can be exported as an encrypted or plain-text file from the Passwords app for backup or migration.
Does iCloud Keychain store credit card numbers?
Yes, it can store payment card information for AutoFill, separate from Wallet passes.
Related settings
- Apple Account & iCloud SynciCloud settings control which of your apps and data — Photos, Mail, Contacts, Find My Mac, and more — stay in sync across all your Apple devices, plus your iCloud storage plan.
- Password & Sign-inThis settings area covers your Mac account password, Touch ID fingerprint enrollment, and AutoFill for passwords and passkeys saved in your keychain. It's where you change your login password and decide how quickly Touch ID or a password is required to unlock the Mac.
- Passwords AppThe Passwords app provides a dedicated interface for viewing, organizing, and sharing the passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes stored in iCloud Keychain, separate from Safari's AutoFill settings.
More Accounts & Family guides for macOS
- Family SharingFamily Sharing links up to six Apple IDs into one group so everyone can share iCloud+ storage, App Store and iTunes purchases, and subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade — without sharing passwords. It also gives parents tools like Ask to Buy and Screen Time to manage what kids can access.
- Internet AccountsInternet Accounts is where you add non-Apple email, contacts, and calendar accounts — like Google, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, or a standard IMAP account — so they sync into Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Notes. It's separate from your Apple ID and handles every other account you use on the Mac.
- Users & GroupsUsers & Groups lets you create additional accounts for other people who use this Mac, decide whether each one is an administrator or a standard user, and organize accounts into groups for permission purposes. It's the foundation for keeping multiple people's files and settings separate on a shared Mac.
- Screen TimeScreen Time shows how much time you or a child spend in apps and on websites, and lets you set app limits, downtime schedules, and content restrictions that sync across signed-in Apple devices.
- Game CenterGame Center settings control your public gaming profile, friends list, and social features like leaderboards and achievements that sync across Apple devices for supported games.
- Wallet & Apple PayWallet & Apple Pay settings let you add and manage credit, debit, and transit cards for use with Apple Pay on the web and in apps, and configure default cards and shipping information.