Passwords is locked EVERY time I try to open the passwords app. I'd like it to stay unlocked

Apple gives that answer for the login keychain (If your Mac keeps asking for your keychain password - Apple Support), which is not the same as the Passwords app. Using Google/AI often leads to exactly this sort of confusion.

The Passwords app requires you to unlock it after a period of time or if Mac locks (e.g., with the screensaver), for security reasons. That is determined by Apple, and only they can change it. To have Apple consider your feedback, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

darelldd wrote:

Thank you for a great reply. In the System Settings example you show.... what do you suppose should change if I uncheck the "Use Touch ID for Autofilling Passwords?" Mine has been checked this whole time. I've just unchecked it. And experience no difference.

That is when you go to a website where there is a saved Password. With that setting checked, it will require Touch ID before the password is filled in. You won't see what that password is in either case as Passwords are protected. There has never been an option to not require authentication when opening the Password app. The Keychain app is a different creature and has now been demoted to only being able to find it in your System Folder, where previously there was a specific Keychain app on your Desktop.

Similarly to open the Keychain Access app when found in your System Folder, it still requires authentication to open. The "login" setting you referred to applies only to the items found in that login folder of the Keychain Access app and not the app itself.

In any case, sending Feedback to Apple is the best approach as there is no workaround that I know of.

Yes, many users have complained about the new Passwords app always asking for authentication, including myself. I launch Password and authenticate with biometric. I temporarily go to another app, return to the Passwords app and must authenticate again. Yes, many users would like the option of opening the Password app once per login session but only Apple can add that option. Feedback is your only only option.

darelldd wrote:

An amusement I just found after updating the OS to the latest 26.1 (from 26.0.1): I went to open Keychain just now, and the pop-up asks "would you like to use the new Passwords app instead?" I have the choice of continuing to open Keychain or open Passwords. I guess I can't figure out why "Keychain" even exists today. For fun, I unchecked everything as you have it.

As to why I DO find the constant re-locking of Passwords to be annoying: I will be using the app to edit or rename or whatever, and during that one task inside the app, it will ask me to login in twice or even three times! Switch to a different window and come back... needs password yet again. And I keep hearing of this "lock itself after a short period of time".... that period is 0.0 minutes. It consistently re-locks instantly.

Apple® Support gets paid to drill down on issues like yours, if they can not get to the bottom of it they escalate the issue up the chain of command, and if necessary get engineers involved.

I would encourage you to ask to escalate the issue beyond the Tier 1 support.

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

darelldd wrote:

MacBook Pro M1

OS 26.0.1 Tahoe

I've seen this question asked over the years. And I've seen plenty of answers. And I still have no solution.

I recently switched to Passwords from years of using Roboforms.

I would like to use my PW to open Passwords just one time per session.

yep —the new Passwords.app has replaced the Keychain Access.app and change in behavior.

I can not speak to your third party "Roboforms" comparison.

verify or make changes to your System Settings

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

The current stable release of Tahoe including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 26.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

darelldd wrote:

Thank you for a great reply. In the System Settings example you show.... what do you suppose should change if I uncheck the "Use Touch ID for Autofilling Passwords?"

Mine has been checked this whole time. I've just unchecked it. And experience no difference.

re: "Use Touch ID for Autofilling Passwords"

I would leave it "checked" ie engaged —for easy of use.

from the Keychain Access.app my settings remain "unchecked" ...compare your results:

The Password.app requires you use the TouchID to unlock when you open it, yes default behavor— it does seem to lock itself after a short period of time.

I never found this to be an issue however.

submit your feedback or contact Apple for further support if necesary.

I guess I can't figure out why "Keychain" even exists today. For fun, I unchecked everything as you have it.

The keychain always contained more than passwords. Now, there is a separate Passwords app just for Passwords.