Backup certificates and keys for Xcode

In the machine of Apple Platform developers, the certificates and keys that are generated by the Apple Developer Program are saved. They are needed for development. I back up them and restore them when I initialize my machines.

This article explains that how to backup and restore them.

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How to export to the developer profile file

Export the needed informations from the Xcode. Do as follows.

STEP
Select the “Preferences…” item from the “Xcode” menu.
STEP
Open the “Accounts” tab.
STEP
Click the three point leader button (Its icon is “…”) which located at left bottom of the accounts list, and select the “Export Apple ID and Code Signing Assets…” item.
Export Apple ID and Code Signing Assets
Export Apple ID and Code Signing Assets
STEP
The exporting dialog is displayed, enter the file name and the password.

Make the name extension of the new file name to be developerprofile as displayed initially. Enter the password into the Password field and the Verify field.

Exporting Dialog
Exporting Dialog
STEP
Copy the exported file to any storage you like.

The exported developer profile file is encrypted.

STEP
Close the Preferences window.

How to restore from the developer profile file

You can use Xcode when you would like to restore from the developer file file too. Do as follows.

STEP
Select the “Preferences…” from the “Xcode” menu.
STEP
Open the “Accounts” tab.
STEP
Click the three point leader button (Its icon is “…”) which located at left bottom of the accounts list, and select the “Import Apple ID and Code Signi” item.
Import Apple ID and Code Signing Assets.
Import Apple ID and Code Signing Assets
STEP
Select the developer profile file and click “Open” button.
Open the developer profile file
Open the developer profile file
STEP
Enter the password.

The password dialog is displayed, enter the password that was used when exporting it, and click “OK” button.

Enter the password
Enter the password
STEP
Number of imported accounts and certificates are displayed, click “OK” button.
Accounts and ceritificates are imported
Accounts and ceritificates are imported
STEP
Open the “General” tab and back to the “Accounts” tab again.Click “Sign In Again …” button.

The imported Apple ID is signed out.

Sign in again
Sign in again
STEP
Enter the your Apple ID’s password and click the “Next” button.
Enter the password
Enter the password
STEP
If the multi factor authentication dialog was displayed, follow the instruction.
STEP
If you sign in successfully, then your joined team will be displayed.
STEP
Close the Preferences window.
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Author of this article

Akira Hayashiのアバター Akira Hayashi Representative, Software Engineer

I am an application developer loves programming. This blog is a tech blog, its articles are learning notes. In my work, I mainly focus on desktop and mobile application development, but I also write technical books and teach seminars. The websites of my work and books are here -> RK Kaihatsu.

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