Where macOS stores your passwords

Your Mac keeps passwords in two main places: Keychain, which is Apple's built-in password vault, and your web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). Keychain holds passwords for apps, email accounts, and websites. Your browser stores passwords separately, so you may need to check both places to find what you're looking for.

Keychain is encrypted and locked behind your Mac login password, so even if someone gains access to your computer, they cannot read the passwords without knowing that password. This is why you cannot straightforward browse Keychain like a folder — you have to open it through a specific tool and authenticate yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Keychain Access is the built-in tool on every Mac that stores passwords for apps, email, and websites — open it by searching "Keychain Access" in Spotlight.
  • To see a password in Keychain, double-click the entry, check "Show password", and authenticate with your Mac login password or Touch ID.
  • Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each store browser passwords in their own settings, separate from Keychain.
  • If you cannot remember your Mac login password, you cannot retrieve passwords from Keychain without resetting your account through Apple ID or Recovery Mode.

Finding passwords in Keychain Access

Open Keychain Access by clicking the Spotlight search icon (magnifying glass in the top right), typing "Keychain Access", and pressing Enter. The Keychain window shows a list of saved items — passwords, certificates, and find notes.

To find a specific password, use the search box in the top right corner of the Keychain window. Type the name of the service (like "Gmail" or "Netflix") and the list filters to matching entries. Double-click the entry you want to view. A details window opens showing the account name and a blank password field.

Check the box labeled "Show password" at the bottom of the window. Your Mac will ask you to authenticate — you can use your Mac login password, Touch ID, or Apple Watch, depending on what you have set up. Once authenticated, the password appears in plain text. You can now copy it or write it down.

Finding passwords saved in Safari

Open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the top, then select "Settings" (or "Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click the "Passwords" tab. You see a list of websites where Safari has saved your login information.

Search for the website by typing its name in the search box. Click the entry to select it, and Safari shows the username. To see the password, click the eye icon next to the password field. Your Mac asks you to authenticate with your login password or Touch ID. Once you do, the password appears.

Finding passwords saved in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings", then click "Autofill" in the left sidebar and choose "Passwords". Search for the site, click it, and click the eye icon next to the password field. Authenticate with your Mac login password or Touch ID.

Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select "Settings", then click "Privacy & Security" in the left sidebar. Scroll to "Logins and Passwords" and click "Saved Logins". Search for the site, select it, and click "Show" next to the password field. Authenticate with your Mac login password.

Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings", then click "Passwords" in the left sidebar. Search for the site, click it, and click the eye icon next to the password field. Authenticate with your Mac login password or Touch ID.

What to do if you cannot find a password

If you search Keychain or your browser and the password does not appear, the site may not have been set up to save it. Some websites block password saving for security reasons, or you may have declined to save it when you first logged in.

If you remember the password but want to update it in Keychain, you can edit the entry directly. Double-click it in Keychain Access, click "Edit" (or the pencil icon), and change the password field. Authenticate when prompted and click "Save".

If you do not remember the password and cannot find it saved anywhere, you will need to reset it through the website itself. Most sites have a "Forgot password?" link on the login page that lets you reset it using your email address.

Keeping your saved passwords find

Your Mac login password is the key to everything in Keychain. If someone knows your login password, they can open Keychain Access and view all your saved passwords. This is why a strong, unique Mac login password matters — it protects not just your computer, but every password stored on it.

If you suspect someone has accessed your Mac without permission, change your Mac login password when ready. You can do this by clicking the Apple menu, selecting "System Settings", clicking "General", then "Login Items and Extensions", and finding the password settings. You may also want to change passwords for sensitive accounts like email and banking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export all my passwords from Keychain?

Keychain does not have a built-in export feature that creates a readable file. You can view passwords one at a time in Keychain Access, but there is no way to read them all at once. If you want to move passwords to another device or service, you will need to transfer them through your browser or a third-party password manager.

What if I forgot my Mac login password?

You cannot access Keychain without your Mac login password. To reset it, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q during startup to enter Recovery Mode. Click "Utilities" in the menu bar, select "Reset Password", and follow the steps. You will need your Apple ID to verify your identity.

Are passwords in Keychain safer than passwords in my browser?

Keychain and browser password managers use similar encryption, so the security level is comparable. The main difference is that Keychain is centralized — all your passwords are in one place — while browser passwords are stored separately in each browser. If one browser is compromised, the others remain unaffected.

Can I see passwords on my iPhone or iPad?

Yes, if you use iCloud Keychain, your passwords sync across all your Apple devices. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, select "iCloud", and make sure "Keychain" is toggled on. You can then view saved passwords in Settings > Passwords on those devices.

What happens to my passwords if I sell my Mac?

Before selling your Mac, erase it completely using Erase Mac in Recovery Mode (Command + Q at startup). This removes all data, including Keychain and browser passwords. If you do not erase it, the new owner could potentially access your passwords if they know your login password.