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Michael Slark
User level: Level 1 (0 points)

Problems since a recent Tahoe update.

Since a recent Tahoe update (whichever one came before 26.7), I've been having problems with sending mail, using Messages and using AirDrop. If I restart my computer, everything works just fine… for anywhere from an hour to three hours, and then Messages logs me out (and I get an "unknown error" message if I try logging in with my Apple ID), AirDrop stops working, I can no longer send emails in Mail, accountsd asks me for Keychain access, ICloudHelper asks me for Keychain access, and more… until I restart, when everything works just fine. For anywhere from an hour to three hours.


I didn't have any of these problems before that update. What's going on?

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 6:54 PM

2 replies

neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 1, 2026 7:40 PM in response to Michael Slark

The symptoms you are experiencing, where background processes like accountsd and iCloudHelper abruptly lose access to your credentials after exactly 1 to 3 hours, bringing down Mail, AirDrop, and Messages, are most likely caused by an automatic timeout setting locking your local login keychain.


Follow these steps to stop your keychain from automatically locking up:


Disable the Auto-Lock Timer on Your Login Keychain

  • Open Keychain Access – easiest to just do a Spotlight search for Keychain Access (or you can navigate to it in /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications). When prompted, choose the non-default option to open Keychain Access instead of Passwords.



  • In the left-hand sidebar, right-click (or Control-click) on the login keychain.
  • Select Change Settings for Keychain "login".



  • Uncheck the box that says Lock after [x] minutes of inactivity.
  • Uncheck the box that says Lock when sleeping.
  • Click Save.


More info on that: Keychain Access User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Michael Slark Author
User level: Level 1 (0 points)

Oct 2, 2026 6:32 PM in response to neuroanatomist

I followed your steps, but found that those keychain settings were already unchecked. Do you have any other suggestions as to what might be causing my problems?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256368837