Update credentials in the Keychain - macOS

The Keychain (aka Keychain Access) on Mac computers is where many credentials that pertain to device functioning (network & application passwords, certificates, keys, etc.) are stored.

See Apple's Keychain Access User Guide for more information. 

Contents

• Keychain Access 

  • Access

  • Delete

  • Edit

• Example items 

Keychain Access

Access

1. Spotlight search for "keychain" and select Keychain Access.

   • NOTE: Make sure to select Open Keychain Access, NOT Open Passwords.

2. You will need to enter your computer password (or use your Touch ID) to confirm access to the Keychain.

3. In order for Keychain items to populate/show, you will need to first click on a different tab from the current, e.g., login > Local Items, then click back to the original tab; it will appear blank when first accessed.  

Delete

1. Manually navigate to the item you are looking for. Items are listed alphabetically. 

   • You will likely be unable to delete items from a search. 

2. Right-click the item and "Delete [item]", then confirm with Delete.

Edit

1. Either double-click or right-click and "Get Info" on the item you wish to edit.

   • For password items, you should now see the Attributes for the selected item. 

2. Editing:

   • To update the username, edit the "Account" attribute. 

   • To update the password, select “Show password,” then enter the password for the keychain that contains that item. You can now edit the password listed.

     • If you have not set a specific password for the containing keychain, this will be your computer password.

3. Press "Save Changes" to save any changes made. 

Example items

Some items you may wish to access to view, update, or delete in the Keychain include printer credentials, network credentials, and network certificates.

Listed below are example Middlebury credentials you may wish to update or delete while troubleshooting:

• Printers

  • Location: login 
  • Name: printer name (e.g., middcolor or middbw)
  • Kind: network password

• WiFi (wireless) network

  • Location: login 
  • Name: MiddleburyCollege
  • Kind: 802.1X Password

• WiFi certificate

  • Location: login 
  • Name: cpauth.middlebury.edu
  • Kind: certificate

• Middfiles / Miisfiles

  • Location: login 
  • Name: middcloud.middlebury.edu
  • Kind: network password