How to Recover .KEYCHAIN Files from Corrupted Partitions: A Practical Guide

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .KEYCHAIN file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .KEYCHAIN Files from Corrupted Partitions: A Practical Guide
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .KEYCHAIN file?

A KEYCHAIN file is created by Apple Keychain, a program bundled with Mac OS X that stores authentication information. It contains an encrypted collection of resource authentication data, such as passwords, certificates, and private keys.

What Are Common Causes of ".KEYCHAIN" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of .keychain files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete their .keychain files while cleaning up their system or removing unnecessary files.
  2. System crashes: If the system crashes or shuts down unexpectedly, it can lead to corruption or loss of .keychain files.
  3. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software or hardware components of the system can cause .keychain files to become inaccessible or get deleted.
  4. File system errors: File system errors can occur due to disk errors or improper system shutdown, leading to corruption or loss of .keychain files.
  5. Malware or virus attacks: Malicious software or viruses can infect and corrupt .keychain files, making them inaccessible or causing them to be deleted.
  6. User error: Users may accidentally overwrite or modify their .keychain files, leading to loss of data or failure.
  7. Upgrading or reinstalling operating system: During the process of upgrading or reinstalling the operating system, .keychain files may get lost or become incompatible with the new system.
  8. Disk formatting or partitioning: Formatting or partitioning the disk without proper backup can result in the loss of .keychain files.
  9. Hardware failure: If the storage device containing the .keychain files fails, it can lead to loss or corruption of the files.
  10. Syncing issues: Problems during synchronization with cloud storage services or other devices can result in the loss or failure of .keychain files.

It is important to regularly back up .keychain files to prevent data loss and use reliable data recovery tools in case of file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".KEYCHAIN" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".KEYCHAIN" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".KEYCHAIN" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".KEYCHAIN" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".KEYCHAIN" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".KEYCHAIN" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".KEYCHAIN" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo mac OS X Keychain File image file file?

Programs that open ".KEYCHAIN" files

Mac
Apple Keychain Access Apple Keychain Access

Additional Information

  • File type: Mac OS X Keychain File

  • File extension: .KEYCHAIN

  • Developer: Apple

  • Category: Data Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:25 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .KEYCHAIN files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the common issues that require ".KEYCHAIN repair"?

    Some common issues that may require ".KEYCHAIN repair" include:

    1. Corrupted keychain file: Keychain files store passwords and other sensitive information on macOS. If the keychain file gets corrupted, it can cause various issues such as login problems, inability to access saved passwords, or frequent password prompts.
    2. Forgotten keychain password: If you forget the password for your keychain, you may not be able to access your saved passwords or other secure data. In such cases, repairing the keychain may involve resetting the password or creating a new keychain.
    3. Keychain syncing problems: Keychain syncing allows you to access your passwords and other data across multiple Apple devices. However, sometimes syncing issues can occur, leading to inconsistencies between devices. Repairing the keychain may involve troubleshooting the syncing problem and ensuring data consistency.
    4. Keychain access errors: Sometimes, you may encounter errors while trying to access or use the keychain. These errors can prevent you from using saved passwords or other secure information. Repairing the keychain may involve fixing the underlying issue causing the access errors.
    5. Keychain permissions issues: Incorrect or misconfigured permissions on the keychain file can cause problems with accessing or using the keychain. Repairing the keychain may involve resetting or repairing the permissions to ensure proper functionality.
    6. Keychain migration problems: When upgrading to a new macOS version or transferring data to a new Mac, keychain migration issues can occur. These issues can result in missing passwords or other data. Repairing the keychain may involve resolving migration problems and ensuring a smooth transfer of keychain data.

    It's worth noting that ".KEYCHAIN repair" is not a specific term, but rather a general description of actions taken to address keychain-related issues on macOS. The actual repair process may vary depending on the specific problem encountered.

  • Is it possible to repair a corrupted or damaged ".KEYCHAIN" file? If so, what are the steps involved?

    Yes, it is possible to repair a corrupted or damaged ".keychain" file in macOS. The keychain file stores passwords, certificates, and other sensitive information. Here are the steps to repair it:

    1. Close all applications and make sure you have a backup of the keychain file (if available).
    2. Open the "Keychain Access" application. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder or by searching for it using Spotlight.
    3. In the Keychain Access menu, click on "Keychain Access" and select "Preferences."
    4. In the Preferences window, go to the "General" tab and click on the "Reset My Default Keychain" button. This will reset the keychain to its default state, which can often resolve corruption issues.
    5. Enter your macOS account password when prompted and click on "OK."
    6. Close the Keychain Access application and restart your computer.
    7. After restarting, check if the issue is resolved. If not, you can try the following additional steps:
    • Open the "Keychain Access" application again.
    • From the Keychain Access menu, select "Keychain First Aid."
    • Enter your macOS account password when prompted.
    • Select the "Repair" option and click on "Start."
    • Wait for the repair process to complete.
    • If any issues are found and repaired, check if the keychain file is functioning correctly.

    If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider restoring the keychain from a previous backup or contacting Apple Support for further assistance.

  • Are there any specific tools or software available for ".KEYCHAIN repair"? If yes, which ones are recommended for effective repair and recovery?

    Yes, there are several tools and software available for repairing and recovering .KEYCHAIN files. Here are a few recommended ones:

    1. Keychain Access (Mac): Keychain Access is a built-in utility on macOS that allows you to manage and repair keychain files. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.
    2. KeychainRecovery (Windows): KeychainRecovery is a third-party software specifically designed for repairing and recovering keychain files on Windows systems. It can help you restore corrupted or damaged .KEYCHAIN files.
    3. Keychain Minder (Mac): Keychain Minder is a utility that helps manage and repair keychain files on Mac systems. It provides features like automatic keychain repair, backup, and synchronization.
    4. Keychain-Dumper (Linux): Keychain-Dumper is a command-line tool for Linux systems that allows you to extract and recover keychain files. It can be useful for forensic analysis or recovering passwords from keychain files.

    It's important to note that the effectiveness of these tools may vary depending on the specific issue with your .KEYCHAIN file. It's always recommended to backup your keychain files regularly to avoid any data loss.
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