Installing, Updating, and Uninstalling HID Crescendo CryptoTokenKit

Installing Crescendo CryptoTokenKit allows you to use HID Crescendo Cards and Keys, including the HID Crescendo 144K FIPS-approved smart card for certificate-based authentication and authorization on your macOS.

Installing Crescendo CryptoTokenKit

To install Crescendo CTK:

  1. Locate and open the Crescendo CryptoTokenKit .pkg installer.

  2. The Crescendo CTK Installer will launch and guide you through the installation process.

  3. Click Install to complete the installation.

  4. If a token was inserted during installation, remove and reinsert it to ensure its contents are reloaded correctly.

Note: After installing Crescendo CryptoTokenKit, consider disabling the built-in Apple PIV card support to prevent conflicts when using Crescendo PIV smart cards.
Important: Disable the built-in Apple PIV card support only if you are using Crescendo Cards and Keys, as doing so will prevent macOS from recognizing other PIV-compatible tokens.

Updating Crescendo CryptoTokenKit

To update Crescendo CTK, simply install the new version:

  1. Locate and open the Crescendo CryptoTokenKit .pkg installer.

  2. The Crescendo CTK Installer will launch and guide you through the update process.

  3. Click Install to complete the update.

  4. If a token was inserted during update, remove and reinsert it to ensure its contents are reloaded correctly.

Uninstalling Crescendo CryptoTokenKit

Prerequisites: Before uninstalling Crescendo CTK, make sure no token is inserted.

Uninstalling Using Launchpad

To uninstall Crescendo CTK using Launchpad:

  1. Click Launchpad in the Dock or open it from your Applications folder.

  2. If you don't see Crescendo CryptoTokenKit in Launchpad, type the name in the search field at the top of Launchpad.

  3. Press and hold the Option key, or click and hold any app until the apps jiggle.

  4. Click the Delete button macOS delete icon next to Crescendo CryptoTokenKit, then click Delete to confirm. The app is deleted immediately.

Uninstalling Using Finder

To uninstall Crescendo CTK using Finder:

  1. Switch to the Finder, such as by clicking your desktop or clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.

  2. Find Crescendo CryptoTokenKit, then click to select it.

  3. Use any of these ways to move the app to the Trash:

    • Drag the app to the Trash.

    • Select the app and choose File > Move to Trash from the menu bar.

    • Select the app and press Command-Delete on your keyboard.

  4. If you're asked for a username and password, enter the name and password of an administrator account on your Mac.

  5. To delete the app after moving it to the Trash, choose Finder > Empty Trash from the menu bar.

Note: For detailed instructions on uninstalling Crescendo CryptoTokenKit, refer to the macOS support page on app uninstallation.
Important: If you uninstall Crescendo CryptoTokenKit and have previously disabled the built-in Apple PIV card support, you should manually re-enable it to allow macOS to recognize PIV-compatible tokens again.