Resolving “The Identity Used to Sign the Executable is No Longer Valid” Error

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

Encountering the error message “The identity used to sign the executable is no longer valid” can be a frustrating experience for developers working with iOS applications. This issue often arises when debugging on an iPad or similar devices. The error typically indicates problems with your signing certificate or provisioning profiles. This guide provides a comprehensive solution to resolve this error efficiently.

Understanding the Error

This error generally occurs when the signing certificate or provisioning profile has expired or is no longer valid. Ensuring that your device’s clock is set correctly and verifying that your signing certificate is up-to-date are crucial first steps in troubleshooting this issue.

Solution Steps

Refreshing Certificates in Xcode

One effective method to resolve this error involves refreshing your development certificates within Xcode. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Xcode and navigate to Preferences > Accounts.
  2. Select your Apple ID and click on View Details.
  3. Press the + symbol to add an iOS Development certificate.
  4. Click the refresh button in the lower-left corner to download all necessary certificates.

Tip: If you encounter invalid provisioning profiles, consider deleting them by right-clicking and selecting “Move to Trash.”

Alternative Approaches

If the above method does not resolve the issue, consider the following steps:

  • Check your Keychain Access for expired certificates and update them if necessary.
  • Log in to the Apple Developer Portal and renew any expired certificates or provisioning profiles.
  • Ensure that your device and Mac have their date and time set to update automatically.

Leveraging Repeato for Test Automation

For developers seeking to enhance their testing process, Repeato provides a robust solution. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool that streamlines the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests for iOS, Android, and web apps. Using computer vision and AI, it simplifies test recording and editing, making it a practical alternative to tools like Katalon.

With Repeato, you can automate complex tasks using command-line scripts or JavaScript code, support data-driven and keyword-driven testing, and easily integrate with version control systems. This tool can help ensure your app remains robust and error-free, even when facing signing certificate challenges.

For more detailed information on configuring test environments and managing certificates, visit our documentation page.

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