How to | automate your passwords with iCloud Keychain

1

Turn the key

Open > System Preferences and click the iCloud icon. We’ll assume you’re already signed into your account. Scroll down the list of features and turn on the Keychain option, enter the password for your Apple ID when asked for it, then click the OK button.

2 Set

a security code

Enter a four-digit security code, or see step 3 for stronger options. If you forget it, Keychain can’t be set up without resetting the online copy – an existing copy can be retained on your Mac to start over, though. Enter a code, click Next, then confirm it.

3 Set

a stronger code

Alternatively, click Advanced to set a more complex code that can contain letters and symbols, or to have a 24-character code generated for you – you’ll probably want to write that one down and keep it somewhere safe because it’s hard to memorise.

4 Risky situation

Choosing to have no security code doesn’t make your account less secure, but it’s troublesome if you have only one device and it’s lost or becomes inoperable. You won’t be able to set up Keychain on a replacement device and will have to start over.

5 Verification codes

Enter a mobile number that can receive SMS messages, then click Done. Keychain is now ticked in iCloud’s preferences. Messages are sent only when you try to enable Keychain on another device, where you’ll be required to enter a verification code from the SMS.

6 AutoFill in Safari

In Safari’s preferences, click AutoFill and tick ‘User names and passwords’. When you log in to a website, Safari asks whether to save your credentials to iCloud Keychain. This isn’t compulsory – you might want to exclude online banking sites, for example.