Do not experiment on the only copy of an inaccessible vault. Duplicate it to safe storage before troubleshooting when possible.
Check basic conditions
- Confirm the vault feature exists in the current edition.
- Connect and unlock its storage.
- Verify the vault was not partially copied or synchronized.
- Use the correct credential and keyboard layout.
- Confirm you selected the intended vault.
Permission errors
Authorize the containing folder when macOS asks. A read-only volume may allow detection but prevent updates.
Corruption or interrupted copy
Return to a verified backup. Do not manually edit internal vault files or merge two copies.
Lost credentials
Use only the supported recovery method created with the vault. Strong protection can make recovery impossible without the required credential or recovery material.
Support cannot safely infer or bypass a user’s secret.
After recovery
Export critical files, create a new verified backup, and investigate disk or synchronization problems before continuing normal use.