One of the new features introduced in OS X Mavericks is iCloud Keychain. The service stores user website accounts and login passwords, secure notes, and credit card information. It’s a handy feature that gives users the flexibility to sync important information across multiple Apple devices in ways that can’t yet be replicated by third party solutions like 1Password.
Safari has long stored user account and password information but, while credit card syncing is new to the service, it’s not entirely clear how to manually manage it. Safari will automatically offer users the ability to store credit card information as it’s entered while completing a purchase online, but here’s how to manually manage which numbers are stored.
While it may seem logical that iCloud Keychain information should be managed in OS X’s Keychain Access application, Apple has opted to manage credit card and password info in Safari. To find it, head to Safari > Preferences > AutoFill and click on the Edit button next to Credit Cards.
Any previously stored credit cards will be listed here, allowing you to edit them if necessary. To store a new card, click on the Add button and a new blank card will be created. Give the card a description and enter the account number, expiration date, and cardholder name. When ready, press Done to save the info.
Your credit card will now be synced via iCloud Keychain, allowing you to shop easily on any Apple device. Note, however, that Apple does not store a credit card’s security code, so you’ll need to memorize it to provide the maximum efficiency benefit of the service.
To edit stored credit cards, such as when the card expires and is replaced by a new one, or to remove a credit card altogether, simply return to the Safari AutoFill menu, highlight a card, and press Remove.
