What is Keychain?

macOS Keychain is a built-in password management app. It stores your passwords, account information, VPN configurations, and authentication credentials so you have fewer things to remember and manage.

When the NordVPN app attempts to access these credentials or modify network settings, macOS may prompt you for your Keychain password to ensure security for the following reasons:

• System Security Measures – macOS protects sensitive data, such as VPN credentials and certificates, by storing them in the Keychain. When an app requests access, macOS requires user confirmation to prevent unauthorized access.
• First-Time Connection or After Updates – If it's your first time connecting or the app has been updated, macOS may request Keychain access again as a security check.
• Certificate Authentication – If your VPN uses certificates for authentication, macOS may prompt you to allow access to the stored certificate in your Keychain.
• Keychain Permissions Not Granted – If you previously denied Keychain access or have changed security settings, macOS will ask for permission again.

The Keychain pop-up may vary when using the NordVPN app. If it is blocked, you can enter your Mac user password and select Always Allow. When the pop-up appears again, you can do this up to five times. 



If, after entering the password, the Nordlynx (Nordlynxtelio) keychain pop-up appears, try to switch to the Open VPN (TCP) or Open VPN (UDP) connection protocol.



If the Always Allow option does not help and the pop-up does not disappear, try the following:

1. Open Keychain Access. (Open macOS Launchpad and type in Keychain Access in a search field or in Finder > Applications > Utilities).
2. Select the login entry (upper left corner) in the Keychain window and right-click on it.
3. Click Lock keychain Login.
4. Then try to unlock it.
5. You may need to enter your Mac login password after that.
6. Try to connect to our servers once again.
   
   

If you are unable to make any changes in the suggested way, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Terminal (Finder > Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal or cmd+space).
2. Run this single-line command to lock the keychain:
   

   security lock-keychain
3. Run this single-line command to unlock the keychain:
   

   security unlock-keychain
   You will be required to enter your Mac user password. Please note that its input will be hidden. After you enter the password, hit the Return button.