Fix Cannot Remove Digital ID or Missing Password Prompt in Acrobat
Question details
The user is unable to remove a digital ID in Acrobat on macOS, and creating a signature does not trigger the expected password prompt.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to manage, remove, or apply a digital ID to securely sign a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Remove ID' command appears to do nothing when clicked, and the software bypasses the password prompt when creating a digital signature.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Mac and save any open PDF documents before modifying your certificate or digital ID settings.
Verify and Remove Digital ID via Acrobat Preferences
Manage your digital IDs directly through Acrobat's Identities & Trusted Certificates settings to bypass basic interface glitches.
In many cases, Acrobat Reader on macOS struggles to remove a digital ID directly from the signature prompt. You must access the advanced Trusted Certificates menu to properly detach or delete the ID.
Launch Acrobat Reader on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar and select 'Acrobat Reader' > 'Preferences' (or press Cmd + Comma).
In the left-hand category pane, scroll down and click on 'Signatures'.
Under the 'Identities & Trusted Certificates' section, click on the 'More' button.
Select 'Digital IDs' from the list on the left. Highlight the digital ID you wish to remove, then click the 'Remove ID' button at the top of the window.
Update Acrobat and Restart
Outdated versions of Acrobat may contain bugs related to macOS permissions and missing password prompts.
Sign and Secure PDFs Easily with WPS Office
Avoid complex digital ID configurations and persistent macOS keychain issues. WPS Office features a built-in PDF editor that offers a straightforward, bug-free way to add, manage, and secure your digital signatures.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Mac or Windows PC.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Access Signature Tools: Navigate to the 'Protect' or 'Fill & Sign' tab on the top ribbon menu.
- 4. Manage Signatures: Click on 'Sign' to securely create a new signature or easily delete an old one from your local profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Acrobat ask for my password when I sign a PDF on Mac?
This typically occurs if your digital ID is stored in the macOS system keychain, which automatically authenticates using your Mac login credentials, or if the ID was initially configured to not require a password prompt for every use.
Where are digital IDs stored on a Mac?
On a Mac, digital IDs and certificates are typically stored either as a standalone file (such as a .p12 or .pfx file) on your local hard drive or securely managed within the native macOS 'Keychain Access' application.
How do I delete a digital ID from the Mac Keychain?
Open the 'Keychain Access' app from your Mac's Applications > Utilities folder. Use the search bar to find your digital certificate's name, right-click the specific certificate, and select 'Delete'. Ensure you have your Mac administrator password handy.
