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Distribution certificate missing from this Mac

iOS / Xcode · last reviewed 2026-11-10

The error looks like this

error: No signing certificate "iOS Distribution" found: No "iOS Distribution" signing certificate matching team ID

Why it happens

Running on device uses a Development cert; Archive for the App Store needs a Distribution cert with its private key.

How to fix it

  1. On the Mac that created it: Keychain Access > export the cert + private key as .p12, import it here.
  2. Or Xcode > Settings > Accounts > Manage Certificates > + Apple Distribution (max 3 per team — revoke unused ones).

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