Keychain groups allow applications to share secrets and therefore a trust boundary.
Evaluation approach
Identify the records each application and extension actually needs. Inspect signing and entitlements in distributed packages.
Application example
Share only the token needed for a common task; avoid placing administrative secrets in a group available to every component.
Limits and considerations
Common developer ownership does not mean equal privilege requirements.
Who owns a shared secret?
Assign creation, use and deletion ownership for each record. Otherwise an extension may keep using credentials after the main application logs out. Manage shared lifecycles through a common contract.
Checks and decisions
- Inventory group members
- Map secrets to tasks
- Inspect final entitlements
Sources
The primary references above provide the technical basis. Example workflows and evaluation suggestions are this publication’s explanations, not independent test results for a particular product.