The specified item could not be found in the keychain (-25300) macOS Origin: Platform & cloud OSI layer 7 · Application Last updated 5 Nov 2026

macOS: security: SecKeychainSearchCopyNext: The specified item could not be found in the keychain. (errSecItemNotFound -25300)

A lookup in the macOS keychain found no matching item, or access to it was denied.

Exact message you may see The specified item could not be found in the keychainsecurity: SecKeychainSearchCopyNext: The specified item could not be found in the keychainerrSecItemNotFound -25300OSStatus -25300User interaction is not allowed. errSecInteractionNotAllowed -25308
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Seen on: macOS

Meaning

Check the service/account names used in security find-generic-password -s SERVICE -a ACCOUNT, make sure you search the right keychain (login vs System), and that the item wasn't removed. For CI keychains, unlock with security unlock-keychain first and set a search list.

Common causes

  • Item never saved or removed
  • Wrong service/account/label
  • Wrong keychain (login/System/custom)
  • Keychain locked (CI)
  • Access control blocks the calling app

⚡ Quick fix

  1. security find-generic-password -s "service" -a "account" -w
  2. security unlock-keychain -p PASS ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db
  3. Add the item again with security add-generic-password

Detailed fix by platform

macOS

  1. security list-keychains and security find-generic-password -s NAME

How to diagnose

  1. Name — Service/account correct?
  2. Keychain — Which one?
  3. Lock — Unlocked?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Platform & cloud. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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