How do I copy Keychains from old Mac to new Mac without iCloud?

[MacTiki]

Just purchased a new MacBook Pro M1 to replace my well served 17-inch, Mid 2010.

How do I copy my Keychains from old Mac to new Mac without iCloud?

Not doing a migration or restore from Time Machine in attempt to leave the cruft behind.

Have numerous passwords (for websites, apps, ssh, nas, itunes backups, etc...) stored in Mac Keychains and dread the idea of manually reentering them.

Was reading somewhere that Local Items cannot be exported, is that true?

I seem to be unable to select a Keychain item and then export via / File / Export Items... as that option is grayed out.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I’d just use iCloud ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You can turn it back off after the transfer, if you want.

 

[chabig]

Use Migration Assistant. Don’t worry about cruft. Or do as suggested above. After your clean setup is complete, turn on keychains sync, let it complete, then turn it off.

 

[MacTiki]

I’d just use iCloud ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You can turn it back off after the transfer, if you want.

Something about sending / storing my passwords with a third party, encrypted or not, doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[MacTiki]

Use Migration Assistant. Don’t worry about cruft. Or do as suggested above. After your clean setup is complete, turn on keychains sync, let it complete, then turn it off.

From what I have read Migration Assistant does not transfer Keychain Local Items.

 

[halledise]

Something about sending / storing my passwords with a third party, encrypted or not, doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.

why not export your passwords in .csv format to a usb stick, then you can re-import them when you setup your new device …

 

[MacTiki]

why not export your passwords in .csv format to a usb stick, then you can re-import them when you setup your new device …

Unless these is some hidden feature it sounds like you have not attempted to use keychain management.

 

[adrianlondon]

This may document what you need to do.

Copy keychains to another Mac

Use Keychain Access on your Mac to transfer your keychains to another Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[ifxf]

Use the Keychain Access utility to export and then import your passwords.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Something about sending / storing my passwords with a third party, encrypted or not, doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.

That doesn't make since seeing how you trust the third party (Apple) enough to use Keychain in the first place.

 

[halledise]

Unless these is some hidden feature it sounds like you have not attempted to use keychain management.

that method worked for me. perhaps you should try it first?