Mail wants to access key"imported private key in your keychain

I am now receiving this message. I have no idea how or why it started. I cannot send email. I have tried all of the remedies suggested but still can't stop it. Help! I am stuck and my laptop is useless. Thank you.

MacBook Air, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 9:44 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 11:01 AM

That message indicates the mail message involved is marked as needing a signature; for digital signing.


If you don’t want to sign the message, click disallow, and remove the message from the outbox folder, if the message is there. Resend it without selecting digital signing.


Sign or encrypt emails in Mail on Mac - Apple Support


7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2025 11:01 AM in response to cindy205

That message indicates the mail message involved is marked as needing a signature; for digital signing.


If you don’t want to sign the message, click disallow, and remove the message from the outbox folder, if the message is there. Resend it without selecting digital signing.


Sign or encrypt emails in Mail on Mac - Apple Support


Jul 31, 2025 9:54 AM in response to cindy205

I’m not sure what sort of error you’re encountering with mail, as there are several different possibilities here.


Please post a screenshot of the message. Usually either Command-Shift-4, or Command-Shift-4-spacebar:

Take a screenshot on Mac - Apple Support


Sending and receiving digitally-signed and encrypted messages can involve keys:


Mail servers can have certificates too, and some mail servers may have problematic certificates.




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Mail wants to access key"imported private key in your keychain

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