Secrets don't survive reinstalling macOS

maxgoedjen / secretive

Store SSH keys in the Secure Enclave

MIT License

6.99k stars 155 forks source link

Open joelonsql opened 1 month ago

joelonsql commented 1 month ago

I has to reinstall macOS due to a FileVault encryption error preventing it from unlocking/mounting.

After reinstalling macOS, to my surprise my Secretive.app secrets were gone.

I thought they were saved to the hardware Security Enclave outside of the OS and hard drive?

maxgoedjen commented 1 month ago

Hey @joelonsql - unfortunately that is correct, erasing macOS will also erase the contents of the Secure Enclave.

My understanding is that if you are on the same device and have a Time Machine backup, that may restore your secrets, but I can't guarantee that.