Fix Microsoft Wants to Use Your Confidential Info on Mac

If you see a prompt on your Mac saying Microsoft wants to use your confidential information, it usually comes from a Microsoft 365 app (like Word or Outlook) requesting access to your Keychain. The fix is to review the request, enter your Mac password if asked, and adjust your app’s privacy or keychain settings so it stops appearing.

Why Microsoft Apps Ask for This

Microsoft 365 apps on macOS store your account credentials and encryption keys in the macOS Keychain, a secure database that keeps passwords and certificates. When an app needs to read or update those items, macOS shows a consent dialog. The wording “wants to use your confidential information” is Apple’s generic message for any Keychain access request, not a sign that Microsoft is doing something unusual. It commonly appears after a macOS update, a Microsoft 365 update, or when you sign in again to your Microsoft account.

What the Prompt Actually Means

The dialog typically says something like: “Microsoft Word wants to use your confidential information stored in \”Microsoft Office Identities Cache 2\” in your keychain.” It asks for your Mac password and offers options like “Always Allow,” “Allow,” or “Deny.” Choosing “Always Allow” tells macOS to let that specific app access that keychain item without asking again. Choosing “Deny” may cause features like automatic sign-in or document syncing to fail.

How to Fix the Repeated Prompt

When the prompt appears, click “Always Allow” if you trust the app (it’s a legitimate Microsoft app). This usually stops the prompt for that keychain item.
If it keeps appearing, open Keychain Access (in Applications > Utilities). Search for “Microsoft Office Identities Cache” or similar items. Delete any entries related to Microsoft Office, then restart your Mac and open the Office app again. It will recreate the items cleanly.
Check that your Mac’s date and time are correct (System Settings > General > Date & Time). Incorrect time can cause keychain errors.
If you use a Microsoft 365 subscription, sign out of all Office apps, restart, and sign back in. This refreshes the cached credentials.
As a last resort, reset your login keychain (in Keychain Access, go to Preferences > Reset My Default Keychain). This removes all saved passwords, so back up anything important first.

Common Misconceptions

Many users worry that this prompt means Microsoft is trying to exfiltrate personal data. That is not what is happening. The “confidential information” is just the OAuth tokens and encryption keys that the app itself stored. macOS is simply asking for your permission before letting the app read its own stored credentials. The prompt is a security feature, not a breach.

How to Manage Keychain Permissions

You can see which apps have access to which keychain items by opening Keychain Access, selecting a keychain (usually “login”), and double-clicking an item. Under the “Access Control” tab, you’ll see a list of apps allowed to use that item. If Microsoft apps are missing, click the plus button and add them. This is useful if you previously clicked “Deny” and now want to allow access without waiting for the prompt.

What If the Prompt Appears for Non-Microsoft Apps?

The same dialog can appear for any app that uses the keychain—browsers, email clients, or VPN software. The fix is the same: review the request, allow it if you trust the app, and manage permissions in Keychain Access. If an app you don’t recognize asks for access, deny it and investigate before allowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to click “Always Allow”?

Yes, if the app is a legitimate Microsoft application (like Word, Excel, or Outlook) and you installed it yourself. The prompt is just asking for permission to use the keychain item the app created. Clicking “Always Allow” prevents future interruptions.

Why does the prompt keep coming back even after I click “Allow”?

Clicking “Allow” grants access once, but the app may need access again later. Click “Always Allow” instead. If the prompt persists, try deleting the keychain entries for Microsoft Office and restarting.

Will this affect my Microsoft account security?

No. The keychain stores your OAuth tokens securely. Allowing the app to read them is the normal way macOS apps work. Your account password is still protected by Microsoft’s authentication system.

Can I stop the prompt without allowing access?

You can click “Deny,” but then some features like automatic sign-in or syncing may not work. There’s no way to disable the keychain prompt entirely for a specific app without granting access.

Does this happen on Windows too?

No, this specific prompt is unique to macOS because of how the Keychain works. On Windows, Microsoft apps use the Credential Manager, which doesn’t show the same kind of consent dialog.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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