Where Are Mac Keychain Files Stored?
Mac login.keychain-db location under Keychains plus iCloud keychain sync notes.
Last updated
Mac passwords live in keychain files under ~/Library/Keychains, chiefly login.keychain-db for your session passwords. Keychain Access manages them; the files are SQLite under the hood.
Copying keychain files between Macs rarely works cleanly because they wrap to hardware and passwords. Export items or sync iCloud Keychain instead.
Where macOS stores this, by platform
~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db
System keychain sits at /Library/Keychains/System.keychain. In Finder use Go > Go to Folder. Repair via Keychain Access, not by file surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Mac keeps asking for login keychain password. How do I fix it?
The keychain password drifted from your login password. Update it in Keychain Access (change password for login keychain) to match.
Where are Wi-Fi passwords stored?
In the System keychain as AirPort entries. Admin rights reveal them in Keychain Access with Show password.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.