The untrusted cert title error is a common issue encountered by Mac users, particularly during the process of reinstalling macOS. Imagine you’re in the midst of reinstalling macOS, a necessary step to keep your system up-to-date and secure. You’ve carefully followed the instructions, downloaded the installer, and initiated the process. The installation progress bar ticks along smoothly, and you’re almost there.
Suddenly, a pop-up window appears, interrupting your workflow. It displays this weird message you’ve never seen before. While it may seem alarming, understanding its causes and how to resolve it can help you to regain control and have the best Mac operation.
Why am I Getting an “Untrusted_Cert_Title” Error
There are several reasons why the untrusted cert title error may occur on your Mac:
1. Inaccurate System Date and Time Settings: The most common cause of this error is an incorrect system date and time. When the system’s current time is not synchronized with a reliable and correct time server, it can lead to discrepancies in certificate validation, resulting in this error message.
2. Outdated MacBook Battery: A worn-out or malfunctioning MacBook battery can cause time inconsistencies, leading to inaccurate system time and triggering the untrusted cert title error.
3. Compromised Security Certificate: An error may arise due to a compromised certificate. This means that the certificate authority has been tampered with or issued by an untrusted authority.
How to fix the “Untrusted_Cert_Title” Error on Mac
Fortunately, resolving the untrusted cert title error is relatively straightforward. These two main methods will fix this issue.
1. Update Date and Time via System Preferences
Time needed: 4 minutes
Updating these settings through System Preferences is a straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
- Choose “Date & Time” from the System Preferences window.
- Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner to unlock settting and enter your administrative credentials.
- Uncheck the “Set time automatically” option.
- Manually adjust the date and time to the correct values.
- Recheck the “Set time automatically” option to enable automatic time updates in the future.
Excellent! You’ve successfully adjusted the date and time on your Mac to the current settings. Now quickly, let’s explore the process of updating it using the terminal.
2. Update Date and Time via Terminal
If you are comfortable using the Terminal application on your Mac, you can update the system date and time directly from the command line. To proceed, open the Terminal application, which can be found in the Utilities folder within the Applications directory and execute the following command:
ntpdate -u time.apple.com
Press Enter to execute the command. This will synchronize the system time with Apple’s time server, ensuring accuracy. If these methods do not resolve the issue, please contact Apple Support for assistance.
Also, to learn more on how to use Terminal on your Mac, please read our comprehensive guide on how to get to and use terminal on your mac.
Preventive Measures to Avoid the Error
Maintaining up to date system date and time, replacing a bad MacBook battery, and ensuring continuous internet connection for automatic time updates are crucial measures to prevent the untrusted cert title error. These steps will fix this error on your Mac.
Conclusion
Updating the system time using either System Preferences or Terminal are some effective solutions to resolve the untrusted cert title error. By carefully following the step-by-step methods in this guide, you can successfully address the issue and maintain secure connections while using your Mac.
If you have experienced the untrusted cert title error, share your experience in the comments section below. Let us know what worked for you and what tips you might have for other users in this online community.