To erase saved passwords on a Mac, open the Passwords app from System Settings, select an entry, and click Delete Password or Delete Passkey.
Whether you want to clear old website logins, remove passkeys, or handle the Mac login password itself, the right steps depend on what kind of credential you mean. Apple makes it simple to delete saved passwords and passkeys stored in iCloud Keychain, but the Mac account password works differently — it can be changed or reset, not erased to a blank field. This guide covers both paths so you can clean up exactly what you need.
How To Delete Saved Passwords And Passkeys
Apple stores website and app passwords along with passkeys in the built‑in Passwords app (macOS Ventura and later) or inside System Settings under Passwords. Deleting them removes the saved credential so it won’t autofill again, but you can always re‑save it later.
- Open the Passwords app from the Dock, Launchpad, or by going to System Settings > Passwords.
- Authenticate with Touch ID or your Mac login password.
- Find the website or app entry you want to remove.
- Click Delete Password or Delete Passkey (or hold Control‑click and choose Delete).
- Confirm the deletion. The entry disappears immediately.
If you only need to update the credentials rather than delete them, click Edit, make your changes, then Save.Apple’s Passwords support page documents the same workflow and confirms it works for both passwords and passkeys. Remember that removing a saved credential also removes it from any other Apple device signed into the same iCloud account when iCloud Keychain is enabled — so this is a clear‑all‑devices action, not just the local Mac.
Can You Erase The Mac Login Password?
No — Apple does not provide a way to set a blank account password for security reasons. The login password can only be changed or reset, not deleted entirely. If your goal is to bypass the login screen, enable automatic login instead.
- To change your current login password: Open System Settings > Users & Groups, click the i or Change Password button next to your account, enter your old password, then set a new one.
- To reset a forgotten login password: Use macOS Recovery. On Apple silicon Macs, hold the power button until startup options appear, then click Options > Password Reset. On Intel Macs, restart and hold Command (⌘) + R until the Recovery menu loads, then use Terminal > resetpassword (or the Users & Groups utility in macOS Ventura and later). You’ll need your Apple ID or a recovery key to reset it.
- To enable automatic login (bypass the password screen): Go to System Settings > Users & Groups, click the lock to authenticate, then set Automatic login to your account. This lets the Mac log you in without entering a password, but FileVault still requires the password at startup if it’s enabled.
Mixing these up is a common mistake — trying to blank the password field during a change will be rejected by macOS. Stick to changing rather than erasing.
What About Bulk Deleting All Saved Passwords?
The Passwords app doesn’t offer a one‑click “delete all” button. To delete multiple entries at once, hold the Command (⌘) key and click each item you want to remove, then press the Delete key or Control‑click and choose Delete. For a full cleanout of everything in your iCloud Keychain, you can use Keychain Access (in the /Applications/Utilities folder) — select login or iCloud keychain and choose Delete from the File menu. Be extremely careful: that wipes all saved passwords, Wi‑Fi network credentials, and other secure notes at once, and recovery is difficult without a backup.
What Each “Erase Passwords” Means On A Mac
| Type | Where Stored | How To Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Saved website/app passwords | Passwords app / iCloud Keychain | Passwords app → Delete Password |
| Passkeys | Passwords app / iCloud Keychain | Passwords app → Delete Passkey |
| Mac login password | Users & Groups settings | No true delete; change or reset via Users & Groups or Recovery |
| Wi‑Fi network passwords | Keychain Access / System keychain | Keychain Access → find network entry → delete |
| AutoFill credit card numbers | Safari Settings → AutoFill | Safari Settings → AutoFill → Remove card |
| App‑specific passwords (for third‑party apps using iCloud Keychain) | Passwords app or Keychain Access | Same as saved passwords or via Keychain Access |
| Security keys (physical + synced) | Passwords app / iCloud Keychain | Passwords app → select key → Delete Security Key |
Each type lives in a different place, so you can target exactly what you want to erase without affecting the rest.
Common Mistakes When Erasing Passwords On Mac
| Mistake | What Happens | How To Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Deleting a saved password thinking it only applies locally | The entry disappears from all devices signed into the same iCloud account. | Check iCloud Keychain is on or off as needed before deleting. |
| Trying to set the Mac login password to blank | macOS rejects the empty field — you won’t be able to save changes. | Use automatic login instead of a blank password. |
| Disabling FileVault because you don’t want to enter a password | Protects your data; disabling it doesn’t remove the login password requirement. | Keep FileVault on; only turn off if you fully understand the security trade‑off. |
| Using Keychain Access to delete “login” keychain and losing all credentials | All saved passwords, notes, and Wi‑Fi networks are gone immediately. | Prefer the Passwords app for individual deletions; back up keychain first if bulk‑deleting. |
| Forgetting that deleting a passkey also removes the associated “passkey‑only” login | You may lose access to a site that only supports passkey login. | Review the site’s login options before deleting a passkey; keep a backup where possible. |
Final Steps To Erase Passwords On Your Mac
- Open the Passwords app (or System Settings > Passwords).
- Select the entry or entries you want to remove.
- Click Delete Password or Delete Passkey.
- If you need to remove the Mac login password entirely, change it to a new one or turn on Automatic Login in Users & Groups.
- For bulk deletions, use Command‑click selection or Keychain Access with caution.
That’s all you need to clean up saved credentials, passkeys, and login‑password settings on a Mac. Each method is built into macOS and requires no third‑party tools.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “Find saved passwords and passkeys on your Mac.” Official documentation for deleting and editing passwords and passkeys.
