mobile version

Importing a pfx file into Apple Mail

1. Import the pfx into your Keychain

Double-click the pfx file. This will open the Keychain Access application which will be used to import the certificate and private key. If the Keychain Access application is not opened, drag the pfx file onto the Keychain Access application icon (/Applications/Utilities).

2. Enter the pfx password

You are now asked for the password of the password protected PFX file. This is the password that was given to you via SMS Text message or in some other way.

3. Trust the certificate by clicking "Always trust"

The pfx file not only contains the end-user certificate and private key but also the root and intermediate certificate. The Keychain Access will also try to import the root and intermediate certificate and will ask whether you trust the root certificate. You should select "Always trust"1. Apple Mail trust root

4. Restart Apple Mail

After importing the certificate, you should restart Apple Mail.

5. Finished.

Your system is now ready to send and receive encrypted email.

[The following steps are optional]

We will explain how to receive and send encrypted email.

Receiving signed and encrypted email

A signed and encrypted message looks as follows:

Apple Mail signed and encrypted

Padlock shows that the message was encrypted and Ribbon shows that the message was signed.

Sending signed and encrypted email

You can sign and encrypt a message in the compose window by selecting the sign and encrypt options.

Encrypt: Apple Mail encrypt Sign: Apple Mail sign

  1. The sample screenshot is in Dutch but should look similar in any other language.