I have a password protected file on my Mac. My fingerprint opens it successfully, but if I choose to open it with a typed-in password, everything I try gives me a 'wrong password' error. I have this file in iCloud and would like to open it on my iPhone as well as my Mac. But for that I need the password. My Mac must have the password associated with the fingerprint, stored somewhere. Where is it? It is not in the Keychain Access. How can I find out what it is? I have tried my user login password but that fails also.
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Where is password for protected file?
- Thread starter ChrisG777
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I have bad news. Your Mac doesn't keep the password. When you open it, the operating system doesn't compare what you typed to a stored copy of the password. This is how modern systems work...
When you create something protected by a new password, the machine doesn't store your password for comparison. Instead, it saves a "hash" of your password, a completely different token which is algorithmically generated from the password, but from which the password itself cannot be recovered.
Later, when you want access, you type in the password, it's put through the same hash function, and that result is compared to the stored hash. If the hashes match, the passwords were the same. At no point is the password recorded, and there is no way it can ever be recovered from the hash.
When you create something protected by a new password, the machine doesn't store your password for comparison. Instead, it saves a "hash" of your password, a completely different token which is algorithmically generated from the password, but from which the password itself cannot be recovered.
Later, when you want access, you type in the password, it's put through the same hash function, and that result is compared to the stored hash. If the hashes match, the passwords were the same. At no point is the password recorded, and there is no way it can ever be recovered from the hash.
I don't have the answer to your question.
But I can make a suggestion as to what to do with this file:
1. Open it using your finger
2. Once it's open, create A NEW FILE
3. Copy everything from the "problem file" into the NEW file
4. Save the new file. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE A PASSWORD (shouting is intentional).
5. Once the new file is created and SAVED, then trash the old file.
Think REAL HARD -- was it really, really necessary to "password protect" this particular file?
I encrypt almost nothing on my computers. Very few files (most are stored in my car as an "off-site" backup. They could steal the car, but all they'll get is "a drive" and not "the files".)
Been doing this for 38 years now.
Never had problems.
But I can make a suggestion as to what to do with this file:
1. Open it using your finger
2. Once it's open, create A NEW FILE
3. Copy everything from the "problem file" into the NEW file
4. Save the new file. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE A PASSWORD (shouting is intentional).
5. Once the new file is created and SAVED, then trash the old file.
Think REAL HARD -- was it really, really necessary to "password protect" this particular file?
I encrypt almost nothing on my computers. Very few files (most are stored in my car as an "off-site" backup. They could steal the car, but all they'll get is "a drive" and not "the files".)
Been doing this for 38 years now.
Never had problems.
OP, if you really want to keep the data password protected, do what Fishrrman said, and then protect the new document (or disk image) with a new password. Don’t lose the password!
Fishrrman…thanks for answering that. I do the same, and I should have given that solution. But I was too busy explaining why passwords aren’t stored.
🤦♀️
Fishrrman…thanks for answering that. I do the same, and I should have given that solution. But I was too busy explaining why passwords aren’t stored.
🤦♀️
Is this referring to a password protected Note?
I'm not sure how else you are password protecting a file on a Mac. I know you can password protect a folder, which creates a DMG file...but that doesn't/cannot accept a finger print, nor can you open DMG files on an iPhone.
If it's indeed referring to a Note, you can remove the lock or change/reset the password.
I'm not sure how else you are password protecting a file on a Mac. I know you can password protect a folder, which creates a DMG file...but that doesn't/cannot accept a finger print, nor can you open DMG files on an iPhone.
If it's indeed referring to a Note, you can remove the lock or change/reset the password.
Change your password for locked notes
In Notes on your Mac, change or reset the passwords you use to lock notes.
support.apple.com
Thanks for the replies. This is a Pages file. Yes, I've now copied the contents to a new password-protected file, and can open it on both my computer and phone. Obvious, now it has been suggested. A forehead slapping moment! I want it password-protected because I keep all my passwords in it (recorded via hints only, not literally written - I have a system). Yes, I know, I could alternatively use a password manager. Setting a password in Pages is just a case of File/Set A Password... Interestingly, that also provides a field to set a password hint, but when trying to open the file with a password, there does not seem to be any way to see the hint. Maybe that comes up after a certain number of failed attempts.
OP wrote:
"I want it password-protected because I keep all my passwords in it "
Perhaps I can help.
I have a friend who used to get into "password hell" because he had quite a few passwords, had them jotted down here and there (some in Morse code!), and just couldn't remember them.
So I created a Pages file for him (it's attached below).
It's set up as "a table", just make the password entries as required.
In Pages, you can password-protect a document by going to the "File" menu and choosing "Set Password".
Once set, you can also remove it the same way.
BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE PASSWORD, so write it down on paper and keep it somewhere.
When my friend can't remember a password, he opens this file, enters the "master password", and then can copy/paste it in.
Here's the Pages document:
"I want it password-protected because I keep all my passwords in it "
Perhaps I can help.
I have a friend who used to get into "password hell" because he had quite a few passwords, had them jotted down here and there (some in Morse code!), and just couldn't remember them.
So I created a Pages file for him (it's attached below).
It's set up as "a table", just make the password entries as required.
In Pages, you can password-protect a document by going to the "File" menu and choosing "Set Password".
Once set, you can also remove it the same way.
BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE PASSWORD, so write it down on paper and keep it somewhere.
When my friend can't remember a password, he opens this file, enters the "master password", and then can copy/paste it in.
Here's the Pages document:
Yes that’s exactly how I do it, except I record the different passwords as a hint using my own easy-to-remember scheme that involves music.
"except I record the different passwords as a hint using my own easy-to-remember scheme that involves music"
Record the actual passwords in the file.
Then it's just a matter of copy/paste.
Just in case your "easy-to-remember" scheme fails you...
Record the actual passwords in the file.
Then it's just a matter of copy/paste.
Just in case your "easy-to-remember" scheme fails you...