One hundred — this is approximately the number of passwords an average user may need to manage across various accounts and platforms these days.
This fact alone explains why most of us don't even try to remember our passwords but, instead, choose to save and store them on our devices (or web browsers). It’s just so easy and convenient.
But what if, for some reason, we need to retrieve our stored passwords? Is it complicated? Let's see what the process looks like when using a Mac device.
How to view saved passwords in Mac system settings
To see all the passwords you have stored on your Mac device, follow these steps:
Click on the Apple menu button and select “System settings.”
Find the “Passwords” section on the list of settings and click on it.
Enter your user account password or use Touch ID to verify your identity.
Go through the list of passwords to find the one you're looking for.
To delete a password, you just need to click on it and select “Delete password.” However, if you want to update your password, click “Edit,” enter the new password, and click “Save.”
How to view saved passwords in Safari
If you want to access the passwords you store in the Safari browser, simply follow these steps:
Open the Safari browser and click on “Preferences.”
Choose the “Passwords” option located in the top tab.
Verify your identity by entering your Mac password or using Touch ID.
Choose a website from the list to show its stored password.
How to view saved passwords in Chrome
As a Chrome user, you have access to your saved passwords by navigating to the Chrome browser settings. Here's what the process looks like:
Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot icon in the top right corner.
Go to the “Settings” section and select “Passwords” under “Auto-fill.” Here you will find a complete list of the credentials stored in your Chrome browser.
To access any of your stored passwords, simply click on the eye icon next to the one you want to check.
Enter your password so that Google Chrome can confirm your identity and show you what the password is.
How to view saved passwords in Firefox
As in the case of Safari and Chrome, the process for locating your password in Mozilla Firefox involves a few straightforward steps:
First, open the Firefox browser, click the “Menu” button, and select “Preferences.”
Choose “Privacy & security” from the left panel.
Navigate to “Logins & passwords” and select “Saved logins.”
Click on the “Show passwords” button.
Why storing passwords on a device (and in browsers) is still problematic
Based on what we discussed, we wouldn't characterize the process of locating your stored password on a Mac device (and in various browsers) as overly complex. Instead, it appears to be somewhat tedious and unnecessarily time-consuming.
Consider this: When you store some of your passwords on one device, some on another, and some in your browser (and probably a few in a notebook), not only do you introduce unnecessary complexity to accessing those passwords, but you also compromise their security. How so? Well, storing sensitive information in multiple locations increases the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches.
What is the alternative? Using a password manager.
Sync your passwords and passkeys across all devices with NordPass
The optimal method for securely storing all your passwords in one convenient location is using NordPass, an advanced yet easy-to-use password manager that allows you to store, manage, and share passwords, credit card information, and personal data.
With its help, you can quickly autofill passwords and generate new ones as well as organize and categorize your credentials to your liking so that you can always access them easily and securely across all your devices.
Plus, as a modern platform that always keeps up with the times, NordPass facilitates passkey management, making it easy for you to enhance your cybersecurity and privacy.
So if you want to stop searching for guides on how to find your passwords on Mac, just use NordPass.
Frequently asked questions
To sync passwords between your iPhone and Mac, you need to enable iCloud Keychain on both devices by accessing the iCloud settings. You need to confirm that both devices are using the same Apple ID, ensure they are connected to the internet, and keep the software updated. iCloud Keychain will then automatically synchronize your passwords across your devices.
To transfer passwords to a new Mac, you need to make sure iCloud Keychain is enabled on the old Mac. Set up the new Mac using the same Apple ID and enable iCloud Keychain during the setup process. Your passwords should automatically sync to the new Mac, making them accessible for you on both devices.
First, locate the password you want to delete by following the process described above. Then, right-click on the password and select “Delete” from the context menu. Finally, confirm the deletion when prompted.