Learn how passwords are used on Mac
macOS is designed to keep your information safe and protected. The security of your Mac depends a great deal on using secure passwords in key areas.
Login password
A login password, also called a user password, allows you to log in and access the information on your Mac. When you create your login password, be sure it’s easily memorable, write it down, and keep it in a secure location.
Apple Account password
An Apple Account gives you access to the iTunes Store, the App Store, Apple Books, iCloud, FaceTime, and other Apple services. It consists of an email address (for example, daniel_rico1@icloud.com) and a password. Apple recommends you use the same Apple Account for all Apple services. When you create your Apple Account password, be sure it’s easily memorable, write it down, and keep it in a secure location. If you can’t remember your Apple Account password, see If you forget your Apple Account password.
You can also use your Apple Account to reset your login password if you forget it. Sign in to your Apple Account page.
Website passwords
When you need to create a password for a website, Safari suggests a unique, hard-to-guess (or “strong”) password. It’s recommended that you use the suggested password or create a passkey. These options are more secure than if you create your own password or reuse a password from another account.
Passwords and passkeys are saved in the Passwords app. You don’t have to remember them, and they’re automatically filled the next time you need to sign in.
To view or change passwords and passkeys you saved for websites, use Passwords.
iCloud Keychain
iCloud Keychain saves your passwords and fills them in automatically when you sign in to websites, apps, and services. You can use your saved passwords on all your devices where you sign in to the same Apple Account and turn on Passwords in iCloud settings. See Set up iCloud Keychain to autofill information.
FileVault recovery key
If you protect the data on your Mac using FileVault and you forget your login password, you can use your Apple Account or a recovery key to unlock your disk and reset your password. A recovery key is a string of letters and numbers that’s created for you. The recovery key should not be stored in the same location as the Mac, where it can be discovered. See Protect data on your Mac with FileVault and See the FileVault recovery key for your Mac in Passwords.