Where certificates live and why you might need to remove one
A certificate is a digital file that your device or browser stores to verify identity or encrypt connections. Certificates accumulate over time — some expire, some are no longer needed, and some cause connection problems. Removing one is straightforward once you know where to look, and the steps differ depending on whether the certificate is stored on your computer, in your browser, or on a mobile device.
The most common reason to remove a certificate is that it has expired and is causing security warnings, or you no longer trust the organization that issued it. Removing an old or unwanted certificate does not affect your ability to visit websites or use services — your device will straightforward stop using that particular certificate for verification.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores certificates in the Certificate Manager, which you access through the Run dialog by typing certmgr.msc.
- macOS stores certificates in the Keychain app, where you can search by name and delete them directly.
- Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each have their own certificate storage in Settings, usually under Privacy or Security.
- Mobile devices (iPhone and Android) require you to go through Settings to remove certificates, and some may require device administrator access to delete.
- Removing a certificate does not delete it from the issuing organization — it only removes it from your device.
Removing certificates on Windows
On Windows, certificates are managed through the Certificate Manager. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type certmgr.msc, and press Enter. The Certificate Manager window will open and show folders for different certificate types.
Look in the folder labeled Trusted Root Certification Authorities if you are removing a root certificate, or Intermediate Certification Authorities for intermediate certificates. Find the certificate you want to remove by looking at the Issued To or Issued By column. Right-click the certificate and select Delete. A confirmation dialog will appear — click Yes to confirm the removal.
If you do not see the certificate you are looking for, it may be stored in a different folder. Check Personal for certificates issued to you, or Other People for certificates from other sources. Some certificates require administrator access to delete — if you see a permission error, run Certificate Manager as administrator by right-clicking the Run dialog result and selecting Run as administrator.
Removing certificates on macOS
On macOS, certificates are stored in the Keychain app. Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing Keychain Access, and pressing Enter. The Keychain window will show all stored items, including certificates.
Use the search box in the top right to find the certificate by name. When you locate it, click once to select it, then press Delete or right-click and select Delete. Keychain will ask you to confirm — click Delete again. If the certificate is locked or protected, you may be asked to enter your Mac password before deletion is allowed.
If you want to see only certificates and not other items like passwords, click the Certificates category in the left sidebar before searching. This makes it easier to find what you are looking for in a long list.
Removing certificates from Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Chrome and Edge store certificates in the same location because Edge uses Chromium technology. Open Chrome or Edge, click the menu button (three dots in the top right), and go to Settings. Click Privacy and security in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Manage certificates. A window will open showing your stored certificates.
Find the certificate you want to remove in the list, click it once to select it, and click the Delete button. Confirm the deletion when prompted. Some certificates may be grayed out or locked — these are system certificates that your browser needs and cannot be removed.
Firefox stores certificates separately. Open Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines in the top right), and go to Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar, scroll down to the Certificates section, and click View Certificates. The Certificate Manager will open. Click the Authorities tab to see root certificates, or the Your Certificates tab for personal certificates. Select the certificate and click Delete.
Removing certificates from iPhone
On iPhone, go to Settings and scroll down to find General. Tap General, then scroll down and tap VPN & Device Management (or Profiles on older iOS versions). You will see a list of installed profiles and certificates. Tap the certificate or profile you want to remove, then tap Delete Profile or Remove. Enter your passcode if prompted.
Some certificates on iPhone are tied to VPN or email profiles. If you remove the profile, the certificate is removed with it. If a certificate is part of your device management (often used by employers or schools), you may need to contact the organization that installed it to remove it, as some are protected by device administrator settings.
Removing certificates from Android
On Android, go to Settings and look for Security or Security and Privacy (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap Encryption and credentials or Install from storage, then look for Trusted credentials or User certificates. Tap the certificate you want to remove, and you should see a Delete or Uninstall button. Tap it and confirm.
If you cannot find the certificate in Trusted credentials, check User certificates instead — this is where manually installed certificates usually appear. Some Android devices require you to go through Apps in Settings, find the app that uses the certificate, and clear its data or uninstall it to remove the certificate. If a certificate is part of your work profile or managed by your organization, you may need administrator permission to delete it.
What happens after you remove a certificate
Once a certificate is removed from your device, your browser or process will no longer use it to verify connections or identities. If a website or service requires that specific certificate, you may see a security warning the next time you try to access it. In most cases, your device will straightforward use a different certificate or ask the website to provide a new one.
Removing a certificate does not affect other devices — if you remove a certificate from your phone, it remains on your computer unless you remove it there too. Removing a certificate also does not notify the organization that issued it. The certificate still exists in their records; you have only deleted your local copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a certificate break my internet connection?
No. Removing a certificate only affects that specific certificate. Your device will use other certificates to verify connections, and most websites use certificates that are automatically trusted. You might see a warning for a specific service if it relied on the certificate you removed, but your general internet access will not be affected.
Can I restore a certificate after I delete it?
If the certificate was issued by an organization (like your employer or school), you can ask them to send you a new copy or reinstall it. If it was a root certificate from a major certificate authority, your operating system can restore it by resetting your certificate store or reinstalling the relevant software. Personal certificates you created yourself can only be restored if you have a backup copy.
Why do I see a certificate warning after removing one?
A warning usually means a website or service is trying to use the certificate you just deleted. This is normal and expected. The service will either use a different certificate or ask you to install a new one. If the warning persists and you trust the service, you may need to reinstall the certificate or contact the organization for a replacement.
Do I need to restart my device after removing a certificate?
Most of the time, no. Browsers and applications recognize certificate changes when ready. However, if you removed a system-level certificate on Windows or macOS, restarting may help may support all applications recognize the change. Mobile devices rarely require a restart after certificate removal.
What is the difference between removing and disabling a certificate?
Removing deletes the certificate from your device entirely. Disabling (when the option exists) keeps the certificate stored but tells your device not to use it. Disabling is useful if you think you might need the certificate again later. Most consumer devices only offer the delete option, not disable.