Secretive
Open-source macOS app that stores SSH keys in the Mac's Secure Enclave.
Recommended for Mac users who want to know exactly when their SSH key is used,123 with long-time users preferring it to physical key and card setups.45 The main caveats are that the same setup can now be done natively without a third-party tool,67 and that the Tahoe version is reported as buggy.8
Why people recommend it
Long-term use · 3
Commenters report using it for years and recommend it outright.
“I've been using Secretive for years”
“I've been using Secretive for years”
Show 1 more
“Or you could just use Secretive.”
Key-use visibility · 2
Every SSH key operation requires a button press or fingerprint, or at least triggers a notification.
“I've been using Secretive for years”
“I use Secretive and would like to switch to this native solution.”
Mac-friendly · 1
Highly recommended to Mac users, including as an alternative to 1Password.
“If you're on a Mac, I can highly recommend you to check out Secretive”
Beats hardware keys · 1
One user prefers it to the physical key and card systems they tried.
“I've been using Secretive for years”
Flexible auth · 1
Keys can skip Touch ID but still notify you when used, which helps with external keyboards.
“I use Secretive and would like to switch to this native solution.”
Caveats and dissent
Native alternative · 2
Some commenters say a built-in approach takes only a few commands and avoids a third-party tool.
“I've been using Secretive for years”
“I use Secretive and would like to switch to this native solution.”
Tahoe bugs · 1
The Tahoe version is reported to frequently lock up on initial key requests.
“I've been using Secretive for years”
Who recommends it in their own words
From the makers not counted in the ranking
“I was using software called "Secretive" which installed a Secretive Agent system service. I later patched and forked it”
Threads where it came up
- Native Secure Enclave backed SSH keys on macOS 2 mentions
- Setting Up SSH Keys on macOS with Touch ID 1 mention
- SSH Keys on macOS with Touch ID 1 mention
- "Gravity is worth asking about." 1 mention
- TanStack NPM Packages Compromised 1 mention
Data: secretive.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 5
“I've been using Secretive for years”
“Or you could just use Secretive.”
“If you're on a Mac, I can highly recommend you to check out Secretive”
“I use Secretive and would like to switch to this native solution.”
“I've been using Secretive for years”