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Do you often forget your passwords? Or you want to make sure that your saved passwords are secure and haven’t been compromised? The Mac OS has Safari’s Keychain feature where all your passwords are saved. This Keychain feature stores all the login credentials of your various accounts, saving you the trouble of remembering each one. But what happens when you forget your login password or cannot access your passwords? In this blog post, we will show you methods to view saved passwords on your Mac computer.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to View Saved Passwords on Mac
There are various reasons for wanting to view saved passwords on a Mac computer, such as:
– You need to access an account from another device and have forgotten the login credentials.
– You have saved a password some time ago and cannot remember it now.
– You want to ensure that your saved passwords are secure and up-to-date.
– You want to check if any of your passwords have been compromised and need to be changed.
Whatever the reason may be, viewing saved passwords is an essential feature of any computing system.
Method 1: Using Safari Preferences
To view saved passwords using Safari Preferences, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Open the Safari web browser on your Mac.
Step 2: In the top-left corner of the screen, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: In the Preferences window, click on the “Passwords” tab.
Step 4: Enter your Mac user account password to access the saved passwords.
Step 5: The saved passwords will now be displayed in the “Passwords” tab. You can double-click on any of the items to view its password.
Step 6: To edit any password, select the item and click on the “Edit” button.
Step 7: To delete a password, select the item and click on the “Remove” button.
Pros:
– Easy and quick to access and view saved passwords.
– You can edit or remove passwords directly from the Safari Preferences window.
Cons:
– Anyone with access to your Mac user account can view your saved passwords.
Method 2: Using Keychain Access
Another method to view saved passwords on a Mac computer is by using the Keychain Access feature. Here are the steps to do so:
Step 1: Open the Spotlight search bar by clicking on the magnifying glass in the top-right corner of the screen or by pressing “Command” + “Space” keys.
Step 2: Type in “Keychain Access” in the search bar and click on the first result shown.
Step 3: In the Keychain Access window, select “login” under the Keychains section on the left-hand side of the screen.
Step 4: Click on the “Passwords” category on the right-hand side of the screen to view all saved passwords.
To view any password, double-click on the item, and a pop-up window will appear displaying the password. You may need to enter your Mac user account password or administrator password to view certain passwords.
Pros:
– You can view all saved passwords in one place and filter them by category.
– You can directly edit or delete any saved password from the Keychain Access window.
Cons:
– Keychain Access may seem complicated or cluttered to some users, making it difficult to navigate.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party Password Manager
While Safari’s Keychain feature and Mac’s built-in Keychain Access tool are great ways to store and view saved passwords, many users may prefer using a third-party password manager. Password managers provide a more robust set of features and can store and manage passwords across multiple devices. Here are the steps to view saved passwords using a third-party password manager:
Step 1: Install a third-party password manager like 1Password or LastPass on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the password manager and log in to your account.
Step 3: On the password manager’s dashboard, view all saved passwords in one place.
Step 4: To view any password, double-click on the item, and it will be displayed in a pop-up window.
Pros:
– Third-party password managers provide a more secure and robust way to store and manage passwords.
– They offer a range of features to ensure the safety and security of your passwords.
Cons:
– You need to subscribe to a third-party password manager service to use its full features.
– It may take some time to set up and configure the password manager.
What to Do If You Can’t View Saved Passwords on Mac
If you are unable to view saved passwords on your Mac using any of the methods mentioned above, follow these solutions to fix the issue:
– Check if you are entering the correct Mac user account password or administrator password.
– If the password manager is not showing your saved passwords, try resetting the password manager application.
– Verify your internet connection, as some password managers may require an active internet connection to function correctly.
Bonus Tip
To ensure the safety and security of your passwords on a Mac computer, follow these tips:
– Use strong and unique passwords for each account.
– Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
– Change your passwords frequently.
– Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I view saved passwords on my Mac without using a password manager?
A: Yes, you can view saved passwords on your Mac using Safari Preferences or Keychain Access without a third-party password manager.
Q2: Can I export my saved passwords from Safari to a third-party password manager?
A: Yes, you can export saved passwords from Safari to a third-party password manager like 1Password or LastPass.
Q3: Can I recover a forgotten Mac user account password using the Keychain Access feature?
A: No, the Keychain Access feature does not allow you to recover a forgotten Mac user account password.
Q4: Can anyone access my saved passwords on a shared Mac computer?
A: If someone has access to your Mac user account, they can view your saved passwords on a shared Mac computer.
Q5: Do I need to pay for a third-party password manager to use it on my Mac?
A: Yes, most third-party password managers require a subscription fee to use their full features.
Final Thoughts
Viewing saved passwords on a Mac computer can be an essential feature for anyone who wants to ensure the safety and security of their accounts. The Safari Preferences and Keychain Access features are built-in and user-friendly ways to view saved passwords. However, using a third-party password manager may provide a more robust set of features and security measures. By following the bonus tips and frequently asked questions, you can better manage and safeguard your saved passwords on a Mac computer.