How To Set Up iCould Keychain For iOS 7

I. What Information Does iCloud Keychain Sync

• Safari website usernames and passwords
• Credit card information
• Wi-Fi network information like SSIDs and passwords
• Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Messages (Mac only)
• Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or any other accounts in Internet Accounts (Mac only)

All information is stored and transmitted using 256-bit AES encryption. Every time you add a new device  to iCloud Keychain, all other devices will ask for your explicit consent, and only then will the data be synced.

II. Set Up the iCloud Security Code

1. When you upgrade to iOS 7.0.3, your device will ask you to setup iCloud Keychain. Don’t worry if you skipped it, you can always return to setting it up later by going to Settings > iCloud and turning-on Keychain. Once you turn it on, iOS will guide you through a series of steps.

2. When you turn-on iCloud Keychain, iOS will ask you to setup an iCloud Security Code, which will later be used to setup Keychain on new devices. This code can be the same as your passcode or a new code created by you or randomly generated by the OS.

3. If you choose to create a new code, iOS will ask you for a 4-digit pin, but if you want to increase the level of security, you can tap the “Advanced Options” button to enter an alphanumeric code. We chose the standard 4-digit code.

4. You’ll be asked to re-enter the security code. Make sure you remember and note this code someplace safe, since iCloud will ask you for this code when you setup Keychain on another device.

5. The next screen will ask you for your country code and phone number, so that Apple can send an SMS to you to verify your identity, when using the iCloud Security Code. Once you’ve entered this successfully, your iCloud Keychain setup process is complete

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III. Using iCloud Keychain

Using iCloud Keychain isn’t very different from using Safari’s AutoFill feature.

1. Go to a website’s login screen and enter your login credentials. Safari will show you a popover asking you if this password can be saved to your iCloud Keychain.

2. You can also ask Safari to generate a safe password for you when you sign-up on a website, using the “Suggest Password” button. 

3.  Some websites do not allow Safari to AutoFill passwords, so you won’t be able to use this feature on those websites with default settings.

4. To override this, open Settings, and navigate to Safari > Passwords and AutoFill and enable the “Always Allow” toggle. Now AutoFill will work on all websites.

Because the iCloud Keychain requires your  iTunes password, security code and SMS-verification when setting up Keychain on a new device it is both a convenient and useful feature for the security conscious user.