Mac OS X - Working With the System Keychain

This document provides instructions on where to find the system keychain and outlines procedures for deleting or adding a keychain and changing the keychain password. The System Keychain is a utility which securely stores all passwords and user IDs for a user and lets that user unlock them all with a single master password.

System Keychain Location

Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner to open up Spotlight search
In the search field type: keychain access
Click on Keychain Access

>Note: From the Keychain access panel you can create a new keychain, delete an existing keychain or change the password on a keychain.

Creating a New Keychain

If the old system keychain needs to be deleted or if a user wants to create an additional keychain for personal use, a new keychain will need to be created.

From the file menu select File.
Select New Keychain.

Enter a unique name for the new keychain and select the keychain location
Enter a password for the keychain
Select Create and then input a password and click OK

The new keychain will now be available.

Changing keychain password

Right click on the desired keychain and select: Change Password for Keychain...

Create a new password for the keychain and click OK

Note: If your Mac OS X login password is not the same as your account keychain password, you will be asked for the password whenever an application needs access to your keychain and your keychain is locked.