Xcode – Missing iOS Distribution signing identity

I had the same problem: I first downloaded my certificates to my small MacBook while on the run. When trying to install the certificates on my iMac... then I ran into the problems described on this page.

After spending hours pulling my hair out like many of you, I performed the following steps to fix it:

1. Close all your stuff except your webpage that should be logged into App Dev center.

2. Open Xcode. Click WINDOW > ORGANIZER. Then click the Devices tab and select "Provisioning Profiles" on the left. That should bring up your provisioning profiles. Highlight one by one (if more than 1), right click and delete profile. Yes, just do it! Delete them all! (I kept making a new one after a new one trying to make the thing work.)

3. From the first page you see after logging into the App Dev Center on the right side click "iOS PROVISIONING PORTAL" > (do not "launch assistant"). Instead click on the left side. Select CERTIFICATES. You will probably have just one line listed with your name/company - from there click on the right side REVOKE. Click OK to verify that's what you want to do.

4. On the same page click DEVICES. Click the box next to your device you are trying to provision and click REMOVE SELECTED. Again click OK to verify.

5. Wait about 2 minutes to let Apple do their thing.

6. Now click on "HOME" that is on the left side navigation.

7. Click "Launch Assistant"

8. create a new app ID - call it whatever you want. Just make sure it's unique enough to know that's the one you just created because the others you've been messing with all day will not be deleted from Apples Dev Center.

9. You should be able to follow the rest of the Assistant without troubles -- the main thing is you just had to delete your old provision profiles and start over.

Good Luck!

With Xcode 4.2 and later versions, including Xcode 4.6, there is a better way to migrate your entire developer profile to a new machine. On your existing machine, launch Xcode and do this:

1. Open the Organizer (Shift-Command-2).
2. Select the Devices tab.
3. Choose Developer Profile in the upper-left corner under LIBRARY, which may be under the heading library or under a heading called TEAMS.
4. Choose Export near the bottom left side of the window. Xcode asks you to choose a file name and password.

Edit for Xcode 4.4:

With Xcode 4.4, at step 3 choose Provisioning Profiles under LIBRARY. Then select your provisioning profiles either with the mouse or Command-A.

Also, Apple is making improvements in the way they manage this aspect of Xcode, and some users have reported that the Refresh button in the lower-right corner does the trick. So try clicking Refresh first, and if that doesn't help, do the export/import sequence.

Picture for Xcode 4.6 added by WP

Edit for Xcode 5.0 or newer:

1. Open Xcode -> Preferences ('Command' + ',')
2. Select the Apple ID from the list.
3. Click on the SETTING icon near the bottom-left corner of window, and choose EXPORT ACCOUNTS... Xcode asks you to choose a file name and password.

On your new machine, launch Xcode and import the profile you exported above. Works like a charm.

Picture for Xcode 5.0 added by Ankur