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
- Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
- 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.
- Tap on iCloud. It's in the second section of the menu.
- Tap Keychain. It's near the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
- Slide iCloud Keychain to the "On" position. It will turn green.
- If prompted, enter your Apple ID and password.
- 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.
- Enter your security code.
- If you created a new code, enter it in again to confirm.
- Enter a phone number that can receive SMS messages. This is for security verification purposes.
- Tap Next. It's in the top-right corner.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- 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.
- Return to the Settings menu. Do so by tapping iCloud in the upper-left corner, then Apple ID and Settings in the same location.
- Scroll down and tap Safari. It's near the middle of the menu, next to a blue compass icon.
- Tap AutoFill. It's in the "GENERAL" section.
- Slide "Names and Passwords" to the "On" position. Doing so enables iCloud Keychain to automatically fill in your username and password when using Safari.
- Slide "Credit Cards" to the "On" position. Doing so enables iCloud Keychain to automatically fill in credit card information when using Safari.
- Tap Saved Credit Cards. It's at the bottom of the menu.
- 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
- Click the Apple menu. It's the Apple logo in the top left corner of the menu bar.
- Click System Preferences.
- 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).
- Click on the checkbox next to "Keychain."
- Type in your Apple ID and password.
- Click OK. A popup window will appear asking to request approval.
- 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.
- Click Next. A verification code will be sent to your phone number.
- Type in the verification code.
- Click OK. iCloud Keychain will be enabled on your Mac.
