This topic describes how to create and obtain an AccessKey pair for an Alibaba Cloud account or a Resource Access Management (RAM) user. When you call API operations, you must use the AccessKey pair to verify your identity.

Background information

An AccessKey pair consists of an AccessKey ID and an AccessKey secret.
  • The AccessKey ID is used to verify the identity of the user.
  • The AccessKey secret is used to encrypt and verify the signature string. You must keep your AccessKey secret strictly confidential.
Warning If the AccessKey pair of your Alibaba Cloud account is disclosed, your resources are exposed to potential risks. We recommend that you use a RAM user to call API operations. This minimizes the possibility of disclosing the AccessKey pair of your Alibaba Cloud account.

Procedure

  1. Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console by using your Alibaba Cloud account.
  2. Move the pointer over the profile picture in the upper-right corner of the page and click AccessKey Management.
  3. In the Note dialog box, click Use Current AccessKey Pair or Use AccessKey Pair of RAM User.
    Note dialog box
  4. Obtain the AccessKey pair of an account.
    • Obtain the AccessKey pair of an Alibaba Cloud account
      1. Click Use Current AccessKey Pair.
      2. On the AccessKey Management page, click Create AccessKey.
      3. In the Create AccessKey dialog box, view the AccessKey ID and AccessKey secret.

        You can click Download CSV File to download the AccessKey pair or click Copy to copy the AccessKey pair.

        Create AccessKey dialog box
    • Obtain the AccessKey pair of a RAM user
      1. Click Use AccessKey Pair of RAM User. You are redirected to the RAM console.
      2. Optional. If no RAM user is created, create a RAM user first on the Create User page of the RAM console.

        If you want to create an AccessKey pair for an existing RAM user, skip this step.

      3. In the left-side navigation pane of the RAM console, choose Identities > Users.
      4. On the Users page, click the name of the required RAM user in the User Logon Name/Display Name column.
      5. In the User AccessKeys section of the Authentication tab, click Create AccessKey.
      6. In the Create AccessKey dialog box, view the AccessKey ID and AccessKey secret.

        You can click Download CSV File to download the AccessKey pair or click Copy to copy the AccessKey pair.

        Create AccessKey dialog box