How to Retrieve a Deleted Keychain Password on macOS Yosemite

Deleting a Keychain password on macOS Yosemite can cause significant inconvenience, especially if you have sensitive information stored there. This guide will walk you through several steps to attempt recovering your password. Always consider setting up regular backups to prevent data loss in the future.

1. Check Your Keychain

The first step in attempting to retrieve a deleted Keychain password is to check the Keychain itself. Here’s how to do it:

Open Keychain Access by going to Applications Utilities Keychain Access. Use the search bar in the upper right corner to look for the item you deleted. Even if it’s marked as deleted, it might still be retrievable.

2. Restore from a Backup

If you use Time Machine to back up your system, you can restore a previous version of your Keychain:

Open Time Machine from the menu bar. Navigate to /Users/Username/Library/Keychains/ and locate the relevant Keychain file. Restore the file from a date prior to when you deleted the password.

3. Check iCloud Keychain

If you have iCloud Keychain enabled, check for the password on another device linked to the same Apple ID. This could save you the trouble of recreating it.

4. Use a Third-Party Recovery Tool

If the above methods do not work, you can consider using a third-party recovery tool designed for macOS. However, be cautious and ensure the tool is reputable and supports your specific version of macOS.

5. Recreate the Password

As a last resort, you may need to reset the password for the associated account or service. This is time-consuming and can be frustrating, so it’s advisable to avoid this step unless all other methods have failed.

Note

Unfortunately, if the password was permanently deleted and you don’t have a backup, recovery may not be possible. Regularly backing up your Keychains can help prevent future issues.

Additional Tips

Be cautious when dealing with your data, especially sensitive information like passwords. Utilizing the Spotlight search to open Keychain Access is a quick way to navigate to the relevant settings if necessary.

Technically, if you act quickly and have the technical know-how, it’s possible to recover adeleted password, but it involves advanced steps and risks. It is advised to always have regular backups of your Keychains.

The process of recovering a deleted Keychain password can be time-consuming and challenging. Always prioritize data security by regularly backing up your files and using reliable security measures.