{
  "schema": "https://storagestudio.us/schema/wiki-page.v1",
  "title": "When an account needs signing in again",
  "slug": "when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again",
  "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again",
  "markdown_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again.md",
  "category": "Cloud accounts",
  "category_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/cloud-accounts/",
  "tags": [
    "cloud accounts",
    "sign in",
    "troubleshooting"
  ],
  "summary": "A connected account can lose its access — Apple asks for a new code about monthly, and other providers can end access too. How you reconnect depends on the type of account.",
  "published_at": "2026-10-01T06:20:15.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T05:32:13.000Z",
  "headings": [
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "How you can tell",
      "id": "how-you-can-tell"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Why access runs out",
      "id": "why-access-runs-out"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "iCloud Drive",
      "id": "icloud-drive"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Bucket Storage, SFTP and FTP",
      "id": "bucket-storage-sftp-and-ftp"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box",
      "id": "google-drive-dropbox-onedrive-and-box"
    }
  ],
  "links_out": [
    {
      "slug": "using-your-own-app-credentials",
      "label": "using your own sign-in credentials",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/using-your-own-app-credentials"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id",
      "label": "Photos library",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-sign-in-problems",
      "label": "signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-sign-in-problems"
    },
    {
      "slug": "data-transfers",
      "label": "Data Transfers",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/data-transfers"
    },
    {
      "slug": "testing-editing-and-removing-an-account",
      "label": "Testing, editing and removing an account",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/testing-editing-and-removing-an-account"
    },
    {
      "slug": "connecting-google-drive",
      "label": "Connecting Google Drive",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-google-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "a-transfer-failed",
      "label": "A transfer failed",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-transfer-failed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "a-backup-didnt-run",
      "label": "A backup didn't run",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-backup-didnt-run"
    }
  ],
  "links_in": [
    {
      "slug": "a-transfer-failed",
      "title": "A transfer failed",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-transfer-failed"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cloud-accounts",
      "title": "Cloud accounts",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/cloud-accounts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "connecting-box",
      "title": "Connecting Box",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-box"
    },
    {
      "slug": "connecting-dropbox",
      "title": "Connecting Dropbox",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-dropbox"
    },
    {
      "slug": "connecting-google-drive",
      "title": "Connecting Google Drive",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-google-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "connecting-onedrive",
      "title": "Connecting OneDrive, including work and school accounts",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-onedrive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "copying-between-two-cloud-accounts",
      "title": "Copying between two cloud accounts",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/copying-between-two-cloud-accounts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cloud-account-list-is-empty",
      "title": "My cloud accounts list is empty after signing in",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/cloud-account-list-is-empty"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-sign-in-problems",
      "title": "Signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-sign-in-problems"
    },
    {
      "slug": "testing-editing-and-removing-an-account",
      "title": "Testing, editing and removing an account",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/testing-editing-and-removing-an-account"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-finder-location-is-missing",
      "title": "The Storage Studio location is missing from Finder",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-finder-location-is-missing"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-cloud-folder-browser",
      "title": "The cloud folder browser",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-cloud-folder-browser"
    },
    {
      "slug": "using-your-own-app-credentials",
      "title": "Using your own sign-in credentials for an account",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/using-your-own-app-credentials"
    },
    {
      "slug": "backup-messages",
      "title": "What backup messages mean",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-messages"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id",
      "title": "iCloud Drive for another Apple ID",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id",
      "title": "iCloud Photos of another Apple ID",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id"
    }
  ],
  "diagrams": [
    {
      "kind": "flowchart",
      "caption": "Reconnecting an account, by type",
      "outline": "- An account stopped working\n  - leads to What type is it?\n- What type is it?\n  - iCloud Drive: leads to Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code\n  - Bucket Storage, SFTP or FTP: leads to Edit, then enter the new key or password\n  - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box: leads to Note the transfers that use it\n- Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code\n  - leads to Test connection\n- Edit, then enter the new key or password\n  - leads to Test connection\n- Note the transfers that use it\n  - leads to Remove the account\n- Remove the account\n  - leads to Add Account with the same nickname\n- Add Account with the same nickname\n  - leads to Set the transfers up again\n- Set the transfers up again\n  - leads to Test connection\n",
      "source": "%% caption: Reconnecting an account, by type\nflowchart TD\n  A[An account stopped working] --> B{What type is it?}\n  B -->|iCloud Drive| C[Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code]\n  B -->|Bucket Storage, SFTP or FTP| D[Edit, then enter the new key or password]\n  B -->|Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box| E[Note the transfers that use it]\n  E --> F[Remove the account]\n  F --> G[Add Account with the same nickname]\n  G --> H[Set the transfers up again]\n  C --> I[Test connection]\n  D --> I\n  H --> I"
    }
  ],
  "images": [],
  "screenshots_pending": [],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac?",
      "answer": "Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and…",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    }
  ],
  "text": "An account that worked before can stop working because the service has ended the access it gave Storage Studio. Your files in the account are fine; only the permission has lapsed. How you reconnect depends on the type: iCloud accounts have a Sign in again button, bucket and server accounts have Edit , and browser-sign-in accounts are removed and added again. How you can tell Browsing the account says That account needs signing in again — its access has expired. Test connection on the account fails with a red message. For iCloud, Test connection says Apple needs you to confirm this Mac again for this iCloud account. A backup to the account reports that the cloud account's sign-in has expired — your backup passphrase is fine. Why access runs out iCloud asks for a new verification code roughly once a month, and again if that Apple ID's password changes. Google Drive with your own credentials — if your Google Cloud project is still in test mode, Google ends the access after 7 days. Publishing the project stops this; see using your own sign-in credentials . Any provider can end access, for example when you change the account's password or remove Storage Studio's access in the account's security settings. Bucket and server accounts stop working when the access key, password or private key changes on the other side. Reconnecting an account, by type Flowchart outline: Reconnecting an account, by type An account stopped working leads to What type is it? What type is it? iCloud Drive: leads to Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code Bucket Storage, SFTP or FTP: leads to Edit, then enter the new key or password Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box: leads to Note the transfers that use it Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code leads to Test connection Edit, then enter the new key or password leads to Test connection Note the transfers that use it leads to Remove the account Remove the account leads to Add Account with the same nickname Add Account with the same nickname leads to Set the transfers up again Set the transfers up again leads to Test connection iCloud Drive In Remotes & Accounts , select the iCloud account and click Sign in again . Enter the Apple ID's password and click Sign in again . Type the new code Apple sends to that Apple ID's devices and click Verify . If you cancel or the code doesn't work, the account is put back exactly as it was. Its Photos library comes back with it. For more, see signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails . Bucket Storage, SFTP and FTP Select the account, click Edit , and type the new secret key, password or key passphrase. Fields you leave alone keep their saved values. Click Save account , then Test connection . Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box These accounts don't have an Edit or Sign in again button; to reconnect, you remove the account and add it again. Make a note of any transfers that use the account. Removing an account also removes the transfers that use it, and the confirmation lists them. Select the account and click Remove . Your files in the cloud aren't touched. Click Add Account and sign in again — using the same nickname keeps things easy to recognise. Set the transfers up again in Data Transfers . Common questions Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac? Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and… See also: Testing, editing and removing an account · Connecting Google Drive · A transfer failed · A backup didn't run",
  "markdown": "An account that worked before can stop working because the service has ended the access it gave Storage Studio. Your files in the account are fine; only the permission has lapsed. How you reconnect depends on the type: iCloud accounts have a **Sign in again** button, bucket and server accounts have **Edit**, and browser-sign-in accounts are removed and added again.\n\n## How you can tell\n\n- Browsing the account says **That account needs signing in again — its access has expired.**\n- **Test connection** on the account fails with a red message.\n- For iCloud, **Test connection** says **Apple needs you to confirm this Mac again for this iCloud account.**\n- A backup to the account reports that the cloud account's sign-in has expired — your backup passphrase is fine.\n\n## Why access runs out\n\n- **iCloud** asks for a new verification code roughly once a month, and again if that Apple ID's password changes.\n- **Google Drive with your own credentials** — if your Google Cloud project is still in test mode, Google ends the access after 7 days. Publishing the project stops this; see [using your own sign-in credentials](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/using-your-own-app-credentials).\n- **Any provider** can end access, for example when you change the account's password or remove Storage Studio's access in the account's security settings.\n- **Bucket and server accounts** stop working when the access key, password or private key changes on the other side.\n\n```mermaid\n%% caption: Reconnecting an account, by type\nflowchart TD\n  A[An account stopped working] --> B{What type is it?}\n  B -->|iCloud Drive| C[Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code]\n  B -->|Bucket Storage, SFTP or FTP| D[Edit, then enter the new key or password]\n  B -->|Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box| E[Note the transfers that use it]\n  E --> F[Remove the account]\n  F --> G[Add Account with the same nickname]\n  G --> H[Set the transfers up again]\n  C --> I[Test connection]\n  D --> I\n  H --> I\n```\n\n*Flowchart — Reconnecting an account, by type. Outline:*\n\n- An account stopped working\n  - leads to What type is it?\n- What type is it?\n  - iCloud Drive: leads to Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code\n  - Bucket Storage, SFTP or FTP: leads to Edit, then enter the new key or password\n  - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box: leads to Note the transfers that use it\n- Sign in again, then enter Apple's new code\n  - leads to Test connection\n- Edit, then enter the new key or password\n  - leads to Test connection\n- Note the transfers that use it\n  - leads to Remove the account\n- Remove the account\n  - leads to Add Account with the same nickname\n- Add Account with the same nickname\n  - leads to Set the transfers up again\n- Set the transfers up again\n  - leads to Test connection\n\n## iCloud Drive\n\n1. In **Remotes & Accounts**, select the iCloud account and click **Sign in again**.\n2. Enter the Apple ID's password and click **Sign in again**.\n3. Type the new code Apple sends to that Apple ID's devices and click **Verify**.\n\nIf you cancel or the code doesn't work, the account is put back exactly as it was. Its [Photos library](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id) comes back with it. For more, see [signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-sign-in-problems).\n\n## Bucket Storage, SFTP and FTP\n\nSelect the account, click **Edit**, and type the new secret key, password or key passphrase. Fields you leave alone keep their saved values. Click **Save account**, then **Test connection**.\n\n## Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box\n\nThese accounts don't have an **Edit** or **Sign in again** button; to reconnect, you remove the account and add it again.\n\n1. Make a note of any transfers that use the account. Removing an account also removes the transfers that use it, and the confirmation lists them.\n2. Select the account and click **Remove**. Your files in the cloud aren't touched.\n3. Click **Add Account** and sign in again — using the same nickname keeps things easy to recognise.\n4. Set the transfers up again in [Data Transfers](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/data-transfers).\n\n- **Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac?** Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and… (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n\nSee also: [Testing, editing and removing an account](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/testing-editing-and-removing-an-account) · [Connecting Google Drive](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/connecting-google-drive) · [A transfer failed](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-transfer-failed) · [A backup didn't run](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-backup-didnt-run)\n"
}