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OS X Mavericks is finally here, and MacLife will be bringing informative how to’s to keep you updated on what has changed and how to use it. Check back often to learn more about the newest operating system for the Mac from Apple.
Mavericks and iCloud are changing the way people store their passwords and sync them across devices. For the average user who doesn’t implement 1Password or LastPass into their workflow, and doesn’t need the advanced features that come with those software packages, iCloud Keychain is the perfect companion. With iCloud Keychain, usernames saved on one machine will be available on other Macs and iOS devices with the service turned on. Continue reading, and we’ll show you how to turn this feature on, and how to use it on both Macs and iOS devices alike.
What is Keychain and iCloud Keychain?
Keychain is OS X’s built-in password manager, and (among other things) it keeps your passwords safe and secure for built-in applications, including Safari on both OS X and iOS. iCloud Keychain is a new feature of iCloud that enables your local Keychain on your Mac and iOS devices to be synced through iCloud to all of your devices. In a nutshell, this means that a password saved on your Mac will be available to your iOS devices, and vice versa.
Enabling iCloud Keychain
Enabling iCloud Keychain is a breeze. On your Mac, visit System Preferences > iCloud, and check the box labeled “Keychain.”
If this is your first time setting up iCloud Keychain, you will be required to enter your iCloud password and verify your account information. If this is the second device you’ve set up iCloud Keychain on, you’ll be asked to verify your machine by sending an approval request to one of your other Mac or iOS devices. Once this approval has been granted, then the machine requesting approval will be able to sync its keychain.
Filling Passwords on the Mac
On the Mac, open Safari, and ensure that the browser can fill in passwords. To do this, open Safari > Preferences (or press Command + comma) > AutoFill, and check the box for “Usernames and Passwords.”
After this box has been checked, then you can add passwords by first attempting to log into a website. Safari will now ask if you wish to save the password or not. If you choose to “Save,” then the password will be saved in your local OS X Keychain, and then subsequently synced to iCloud through the iCloud Keychain sync. When you revisit the site, you will automatically have your username and password entered into the field(s) for you. No worrying about typing them in manually any longer.
You can look at the usernames and passwords that Safari manages for you visiting Safari > Preferences > Passwords. You can remove any passwords you no longer need Safari to manage in this section.
Filling Passwords on iOS devices
In order to use your iCloud Keychain on your iOS devices, you’ll first need to turn on iCloud Keychain syncing in iOS. To do this, visit Settings > iCloud > Keychain, and flip the switch to ON for the iCloud Keychain.
You’ll be required to go through the same approval process as on the Mac side of things, or enter your approval code manually. The approval code is the code that was created when you first set up iCloud Keychain.
To begin using your iCloud Keychain passwords, simply visit a site that stores your password in iCloud Keychain. When you tap into the field to enter your username and password, a the keyboard toolbar will now feature a button labeled “AutoFill Password.” Tapping this button will cause your username and password to automatically be filled in for you. If the username and password does not yet exist in your iCloud Keychain, then you’ll be prompted to add it when submitting the login form.
You can tweak what automatically gets filled in by opening Settings > Safari > Passwords & AutoFill. Here, you can choose what contact information can be used to AutoFill, as well as the ability to AutoFill names, passwords, and credit cards.
Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article’s author on Twitter.
