How to Stop SharePoint Keychain Access Requests on Mac
Question details
Users are experiencing repeated prompts from Microsoft SharePoint requesting access to Microsoft Office credentials within the macOS Keychain.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint / Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Office applications linked to SharePoint on a Mac and receiving continuous Keychain authentication pop-ups.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint repeatedly displays dialog boxes asking for access to confidential information stored in the macOS Keychain, often interrupting the workflow.
Before making changes to your macOS Keychain or system cache, ensure you have saved all open documents and completely quit all running Microsoft Office applications.
Remove Office Credentials from Keychain Access
Deleting cached Microsoft Office credentials forces the system to authenticate freshly, resolving repeated access loops.
The most common cause of this issue is corrupted or outdated authentication tokens stored in the macOS Keychain. Removing these forces Microsoft Office to generate new, working credentials.
Open Finder, navigate to Applications, select Utilities, and double-click on Keychain Access.
In the search bar at the top right of the Keychain Access window, type 'Office' or 'Microsoft' to filter the stored credentials.
Locate entries such as 'Microsoft Office Credentials', right-click on them, and select 'Delete'. Confirm the deletion if prompted.
Restart your Mac, launch a Microsoft Office application, and sign in again when prompted.
Clear the Office Application Cache
Corrupted cache files can trigger repeated authentication loops. Clearing them can restore normal behavior.
Create a New macOS User Profile
If the issue persists, your current macOS user profile's settings might be corrupted.
Try WPS Office to Avoid Constant Authentication Prompts
Tired of dealing with endless Microsoft Office Keychain pop-ups on your Mac? Switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, seamless experience with no convoluted background credential loops, while staying fully compatible with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Download the Mac version: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package tailored for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Office files seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint keep asking for my Keychain password on Mac?
This typically occurs when the cached authentication tokens in your macOS Keychain become corrupted, outdated, or misaligned with Microsoft's servers, causing Office applications to constantly attempt to verify your credentials.
Will deleting Office Keychain items erase my files?
No. Deleting Keychain entries only removes saved passwords and authentication tokens. Your actual documents, spreadsheets, and files stored on SharePoint or your Mac's hard drive will remain completely untouched.
How do I permanently allow Keychain access for Office apps?
When prompted by the dialog box, you can enter your Mac login password and click 'Always Allow'. If the system continues to prompt you despite selecting this option, it indicates a corruption issue, and you will need to clear the existing Keychain entries using the steps outlined above.
