keytool error: java.io.IOException: Keystore was tampered with, or password was incorrect, Android keystore

Question

I'm trying to access my keystore because I need to get the SHA1 fingerprint to generate a release Google Maps Api key: google map docs

When trying to enter my key on the command line (or copying and pasting it), I'm getting the following:

keytool error: java.io.IOException: Keystore was tampered with, or password was incorrect

Now, if I go inside Android Studio and select "Generate a Signed APK", it asks for my keystore password, and if I enter it, (along with the alias and alias pass) I can click finish and it begins to build a release APK (though of course it fails because as mentioned above, I need a Google Maps release key instead of a debug one.)

So because of that I know it has to be the correct password, and yet I'm still getting this error. Has anyone else experienced this? What is the possible cause and what is the solution?

Answer 1

1. Obviously you are still getting the password wrong, whatever you may think.
2. You don't need the password to get the SHA1 fingerprint. Just hit the ENTER key.