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APPLE MAC CAC ENABLER (aka MIDDLEWARE) PAGE

 

CAC Enabling Programs

 

NOTES:

Between mid October 2019 and mid February 2020 everyone in the Army was migrated to use their PIV Authentication certificate for Email access.  You no longer use the Email certificate for Enterprise Email.

 

Mac users who choose to upgrade (or already have upgraded) to Mac OS Catalina (10.15.x) or Big Sur (11.x.x) will need to uninstall all 3rd Party CAC enablers per https://militarycac.com/macuninstall.htm  AND reenable the built in smart card ability (very bottom of macuninstall link above)

 

If you purchased your Mac with Mac OS Ventura (13.x.x), Mac OS Monterey (12.x.x), Mac OS Big Sur (11.x.x), or Mac OS Catalina (10.15.x) already installed, you can skip the uninstall part above and follow the instructions below.

 

Signing of PDFs should work in Mac OS Ventura (13.x.x), Mac OS Monterey (12.x.x), Mac OS Big Sur (11.x.x), or Mac OS Catalina (10.15.x) by adjusting these settings.

 

Mac users with Mac OS Mojave (10.14.x) and newer (with 64 bit-processor) can verify if their CAC is blocked by using the Smart Card Utility app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smart-card-utility/id1444710309?mt=12  

 

 

Follow Tables 1 through 4 below:

 

PLEASE READ the preliminary Information before you start:

 

Preliminary Information 1: Restart your computer after installing the CAC enabler before trying to access the CAC enabled site

 

Preliminary Information 2:  Installing multiple enabling programs will cause your system to NOT work.  Here's how to uninstall CAC enablers.

 

Preliminary Information 3:  The CACkey CAC enabler will ask for a "keychain password" (like the image below). You need to enter your CAC PIN.  Make sure if it asks for your Keychain password after you select your CAC certificate, that you use your CAC [6-8 digit / all number] PIN.

Keychain password box

 

If you block your CAC, you'll have to visit an ID card office to get it unblocked.  PKard has the capability to show you when your CAC is blocked.  Mac OS 10.15.x and 10.14.x can download this app to verify if their card is blocked: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smart-card-utility/id1444710309?mt=12

 

Table 1:  See which CAC enabling program will work with your version of Mac OS

 

 Once you've decided, go to Table 2

Compatible with: Mac OS Ventura Built In Mac
OS
Monterey
Built In
Mac OS
Big Sur
Built In
Mac OS Catalina
Built In
Mac
OS Mojave
Built In
Mac OS High Sierra
Built
In
Mac OS Sierra
Built
In
CAC
Key
PKard Open
SC
Smart Card Service Activ
Client for Mac
Ventura (13.x.x) Green checkmark N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Red X Red X Red X Question mark Question mark
Monterey (12.x.x) N/A Green checkmark N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Red X Red X Red X Question mark Question mark
Big Sur (11) (M1 chip) N/A N/A Green checkmark N/A N/A N/A N/A Red X Red X Red X Red X Red X
Big Sur (11) (Intel chip) N/A N/A Green checkmark
Note6
N/A N/A N/A N/A Red X Red X Red X Red X Question mark
Catalina
(10.15.x)
N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark
Note6
N/A N/A N/A Red X Red X Red X
Red X Green checkmark
Note7
Mojave (10.14.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark
Note3
N/A N/A Green checkmark
Note3
Green checkmark
Note3
Question mark Red X Green checkmark
High Sierra (10.13.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Green checkmark
Note3
N/A Green checkmark
Note3
Note5
Green checkmark
Note3
Note5
Green checkmark
Note4
Red X Green checkmark
Sierra (10.12.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark
Note3
Green checkmark
Note3
Note5
Green checkmark
Note2
Note5
Question mark Green checkmark Green checkmark
El Capitan (10.11.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Green checkmark
Yosemite (10.10.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Green checkmark
Mavericks (10.9.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Green checkmark
Mountain Lion (10.8.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Green checkmark
Lion (10.7.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Red X
Snow Leopard (10.6.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark Red X
Leopard (10.5.x) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Red X Red X
Note1: Computer must have an Intel processor, will not work with a PPC processor

Note2: Need version 1.7 (or above)

Note3: Apple computers with Mac OS Big Sur (Intel), Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra have a "built in Smart Card ability," meaning 3rd party CAC enablers are no longer needed.  Please uninstall all CAC enablers you have installed

Note4: One person has informed me this works for him, but NOT when using Safari.  Only using Chrome.

Note5: With Mac OS Sierra and High Sierra, you must use Google Chrome.  Safari is not "CAC compatible."  You may also update your computer to Mojave (or newer), then use Safari again.

Note6: Mac OS Catalina will not work with 3rd party CAC enablers installed.  Please uninstall all CAC enablers you have installed.  INFORMATION: There was an issue with 10.15.4.  If this is the version you have, please update to 10.15.5 or above

Note7: I have a few reports that this enabler works with Mac OS Catalina

  

 

Table 2:  Verify the CAC enabling program you selected above will work with your specific CAC.

Click here if you are unsure which CAC you have

 

Once you've decided, go to Table 3

Compatible with: Mac OS Ventura Built In Mac
OS
Monterey
Built In
Mac OS
Big Sur
Built In
Mac OS Catalina Built In Mac OS Mojave Built In Mac OS High Sierra Built In Mac OS Sierra Built In CAC
Key
PKard Open
SC
Smart Card Services Activ
Client for Mac
G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2 Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark
G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Red X Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark
GEMALTO TOP DL GX 4 144 Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark
GEMALTO DL GX4-A 144 Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark
Note2
 Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark
Green checkmark
GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
IDEMIA COSMO V8 Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Red X Red X Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark
Green checkmark
Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5a D Question mark
Note1
Question mark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark
Note1
Red X Green checkmark

Note1: I haven't heard of anyone with this CAC and specific enabler.  If you have one and have successfully used your CAC with the question marked enabler above, please contact me

Note2: Will not work with Mac OS 10.15.7, works with previous versions

 

 

Table 3:  Verify the CAC enabling program you selected in tables 1 & 2 is:

a. Compatible with Firefox (if you plan to use this web browser),

b. Will read your PIV Authentication certificate,

c. Will allow you to digitally sign PDFs,

d. Can show you when your CAC is blocked,

e. You want support from the vendor, or

f. You want it for free, or pay for it

  

Once you've decided, go to Table 4

and click the link to the CAC enabler you decided to use.

Compatible with: Mac OS Ventura Built In Mac
OS
Monterey
Built In
Mac OS
Big Sur
Built In
Mac OS Catalina Built In Mac OS Mojave Built In Mac OS High Sierra Built In  Mac OS Sierra Built In CACKey PKard Open
SC
Smart Card Services Activ
Client for Mac
Firefox web browser Red X Red X Red X Red X  Red X Red X Red X Green checkmark Red X Green checkmark Red X Green checkmark
Reads PIV Authentication
certificate
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark
Note1
Green checkmark
Note1
Green checkmark
Note1
Green checkmark Green checkmark Question mark Green checkmark
Note1
Will allow you to digitally sign PDFs Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark
Note2
Green checkmark Green checkmark Green checkmark Red X Red X
Can show when CAC is blocked Red X
Note3
Red X
Note3
Red X
Note3
Red X
Note3
Red X
Note3
Red X Red X Red X Green checkmark Red X Red X Red X
Vendor provides support Red X Red X Red X Red X Red X Red X Red X Red X Green checkmark
help
Red X Red X Green checkmark
help
Costs Money Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign dollar sign image Crossed Out $ sign Crossed Out $ sign dollar sign image

Note1:  PIV cert has to already be exposed

Note2:  Signing of PDFs on Mac OS Monterey (12.x.x), Big Sur (11.x.x), Catalina (10.15.x), Mojave (10.14.x), High Sierra (10.13.x), & Sierra (10.12.x) can be corrected by following these settings.  Some others have installed OpenSC and claim it works.

Note3:  You can see if your CAC is blocked by downloading this app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smart-card-utility/id1444710309?mt=12) Mac OS native does not have this capability built in.  Please know, it ONLY works for Mac OS 10.14.x and 10.15.x Macs running a 64-bit Intel processor. It did NOT work on my Intel or M1 Mac OS 11.xx.xIF it shows your card reader name as (LOCKED), you will have to visit an ID card office to get your card unblocked.  https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl  will help you find the nearest one to your location.

 

 

 

Table 4:  Click link below for the CAC enabler you decided to use based on the criteria in tables 1-3 above

 

 

DO NOT INSTALL a CAC Enabler in Monterey (12.x.x), Big Sur (11.x.x), Catalina (10.15.x), Mojave (10.14.x), High Sierra (10.13.x), or Sierra (10.12.x) as they all have a built in Smart Card ability.

 

CAC Enabler
CACKey
PKard from Thursby
OpenSC You must remove all 3rd party enablers prior to installing
Keychain-PKCS11
Smart Card Services
ActivClient for Mac sold only by: SCB Solutions
Trusted End Node Security (TENS) formerly LPS

 

Navy users:

If you still have problems, here is a helpful Navy specific page

 

Specifics for the following versions of Mac OS can be found at these links:

 

Monterey (12.x.x)
Big Sur (M1)
(11.x.x)
Big Sur (Intel) (11.x.x)
Catalina Mac OS Catalina -Tiny  (10.15.x)
Mojave Mac OS Mojave tiny image  (10.14.x)
High Sierra High Sierra (10.13.x)
Sierra Mac OS Sierra (10.12.x)
El Capitan el Capitan (10.11.x)
Yosemite Yosemite image (10.10.x)
Mavericks Mavericks logo (10.9.x)
Mountain Lion Apple Mountain Lion logo (10.8.x)
Lion Apple Lion logo (10.7.x)
Snow Leopard Apple Snow Leopard logo (10.6.x)
Leopard Apple Leopard logo (10.5.x)

 

 

The current CAC Types are...

Look at the back of your ID card (above the black strip) for one of the examples below.  If you have any other version, you need to visit an ID card office and have it replaced.  All CACs other than these shown below were to be replaced prior to 1 October 2012.

 

A guide to help figure out which CAC you have

 

Gemalto 144 CAC image GemaltoDLGX4-A 144 image
Oberthur 5.5 CAC image
Oberthur 5.5a CAC G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2
Stop Gap CAC image  

     

 

Find out how to flip card over video

 

 

PKard for Mac

Information / download links

 

Supports Mac OS High Sierra (10.13.x) and Mojave (10.14.x)  NOT Catalina (10.15.x) or any newer versions of Mac OS

 

Purchase PKard from Thursby Software

 

PKard demo (click Videos tab)

 

Thursby offers US phone, email, and forums support for the software they've been developing for over 10 years and is 100% made in the USA

 

 

 

If you have Centrify Express installed, you can see / verify if your CAC is blocked.

 

Select Go > Utilities > Centrify

Double click:  Smart Card Assistant

Look under status for:  Card is locked

NOTE: If Card status is blank, the card is not blocked

 

CAC Blocked message with Centrify

 

 

If you are still having problems, contact us.

If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact Michael J. Danberry

Disclaimer

 

ACRONYM Reference Page

 

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Last Update or Review:  Wednesday, 27 December 2023 10:49

 

The following domain names all resolve to the same website:  ChiefsCACSite.com, CommonAccessCard.us, CommonAccessCard.info, & ChiefGeek.us