Use iCloud Keychain

This article teaches you how to use Apple's strong encryption feature to share passwords and payment information across iCloud-enabled devices with your Apple ID.

Steps

On an iOS Device

  1. Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
  2. Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the screen that contains your name and image if you've added one.
    • If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
  3. Tap on iCloud. It's in the second section of the menu.
  4. Tap Keychain. It's near the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
  5. Slide iCloud Keychain to the "On" position. It will turn green.
    • If prompted, enter your Apple ID and password.
  6. Choose your passcode settings. You can choose to use your device passcode as your iCloud Security code by tapping Use Passcode, or create a new code by tapping Create Different Code.
  7. Enter your security code.
    • If you created a new code, enter it in again to confirm.
  8. Enter a phone number that can receive SMS messages. This is for security verification purposes.
  9. Tap Next. It's in the top-right corner.
  10. Enter your Apple ID password.
  11. Tap OK. iCloud Keychain is now enabled. Your passwords and payment information will be encrypted and available on all iCloud-enabled devices that you've signed into with your Apple ID.
    • Any previously saved usernames and passwords, wireless network information, and internet accounts are automatically updated in iCloud Keychain when you enable it.[1]
  12. Return to the Settings menu. Do so by tapping iCloud in the upper-left corner, then Apple ID and Settings in the same location.
  13. Scroll down and tap Safari. It's near the middle of the menu, next to a blue compass icon.
  14. Tap AutoFill. It's in the "GENERAL" section.
  15. Slide "Names and Passwords" to the "On" position. Doing so enables iCloud Keychain to automatically fill in your username and password when using Safari.
  16. Slide "Credit Cards" to the "On" position. Doing so enables iCloud Keychain to automatically fill in credit card information when using Safari.
  17. Tap Saved Credit Cards. It's at the bottom of the menu.
  18. Enter your passcode or touch your finger to the Home button, if Touch ID is enabled. Your list of saved credit cards will appear on the screen.
    • Tap Add Credit Card and enter your card information if you'd like to add a new card; tap Done when finished.

On a Mac

  1. Click the Apple menu. It's the Apple logo in the top left corner of the menu bar.
  2. Click System Preferences.
  3. Click the "iCloud" icon. It's a white icon with a blue cloud.
    • If you can't see the main menu, click the Show All button (earlier versions of Mac OS X) or the three rows of dots (later versions of Mac OS X).
  4. Click on the checkbox next to "Keychain."
  5. Type in your Apple ID and password.
  6. Click OK. A popup window will appear asking to request approval.
  7. Click Use Code to use your iCloud Security Code.
    • Click Request Approval to send an approval request to another device via SMS Message.
    • Access another linked device like your iPhone or iPad.
    • Type in your Apple ID password
    • Tap Allow.
  8. Click Next. A verification code will be sent to your phone number.
  9. Type in the verification code.
  10. Click OK. iCloud Keychain will be enabled on your Mac.

Sources and Citations