Written by
Connie Yang
Disks called "Creedence11M6270.SECUREPKITRUSTSTOREASSETS_SECUREPKITRUSTSTORE_Cryptex" appear on the desktop after upgrading to macOS Sequoia. All of them have the same files and are formatted with APFS. It is so wired.
While some users find the Creedence disk image showing in Disk Utility after a fresh install of macOS 15.1. What are the "Creedence Cryptex" drives?
In our post, we'll explain what the "Creedence Cryptex" disks are on your Mac, whether you can delete them, and how to stop them from reappearing on your desktop after rebooting.
What are the 'Creedence Cryptex' disks on your Mac desktop?
"Creedence11M6270.SECUREPKITRUSTSTOREASSETS_SECUREPKITRUSTSTORE_Cryptex" disks on your Mac's desktop are disk images that may be related to encrypted data and key storage for authentication purposes or to ensure the security of sensitive data, such as passwords, encryption keys, or certificates.
Creedence11M6270 may refer to your Mac machine's or startup disk's identifier.
SECUREPKITRUSTSTOREASSETS indicates that this disk image is related to SecureKeyTrustStore, which stores certificates, keys, or other security-related assets. It may be part of Apple's security mechanisms, like Keychain or Secure Enclave, which can handle sensitive data.
SECUREPKITRUSTSTORE stands by the Secure PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) Trust Store. It is a storage container that includes assets like security certificates or trust stores used by macOS to manage trusted certificates and secure connections.
Cryptex refers to Apple's Cryptex storage system (an encrypted container) that securely stores sensitive system data that are only accessible when needed.
Please explain to others who are also puzzled about what the Creedence Cryptex disks are.
Why do multiple 'Creedence Cryptex' disks appear on your Mac desktop?
Many users said that after a fresh install of macOS Sequoia, multiple "Creedence Cryptex" disks show up on the desktop or in Disk Utility. This issue may be caused by the bugs related to macOS Sequoia's security systems, specifically to secure storage and encrypted volumes. Interference or errors from third-party applications may also be the cause.
How to prevent 'Creedence Cryptex' disks from appearing on your Mac desktop?
Usually, the "Creedence Cryptex" disk images are hidden on your Mac. It may only be visible under specific circumstances in Disk Utility or developer or troubleshooting environments.
When you see them on your desktop, you can right-click on them and choose Eject to manually unmount them.
If you see the disks called "Creedence Cryptex" appear on your desktop every time you boot up your Mac, further checks and troubleshooting are required to prevent them from showing up.
Turn off login items
Some third-party applications are automatically launched from the startup of your Mac, causing the "Creedence Cryptex" disks to appear on the desktop.
To get rid of that, go to disable your login items and then reboot your Mac.
- Click the Apple icon > System Settings.
- Select General > Login Items.
- Select the items in the Open at Login section and click the remove button (-) to delete them from the list.
- Disable the unknown items in the Allow in the Background section.
- Restart your Mac and check if the "Creedence Cryptex" disks show up on the desktop on macOS Sequoia or not.
Check and reset settings related to security on your Mac
The "Creedence Cryptex" disk images are related to the security mechanisms and assets. So, go to the Keychain Access and Security & Privacy settings and check if any items trigger the disk images to be automatically mounted.
- Open Keychain Access from Launchpad > Other.
- Click Certificates.
- Delete the items that cannot be trusted. Be careful before you delete any items because it may affect authentication or security features.
- Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Click Extensions > Added extensions.
- Uncheck any suspicious and unfamiliar third-party extensions.
Boot into Safe Mode
It is recommended to boot your Mac into Safe Mode. This special mode only uses the core programs to start up your Mac while isolating all third-party apps.
If "Creedence Cryptex" disks do not appear on the desktop after a safe boot, uninstall your recently installed apps one by one until find the culprit of this problem.
Update your Mac
The final bullet is to update your Mac if the above ways change nothing. The macOS Sequoia bugs can be the troublemaker of the "Creedence Cryptex" disks on your desktop. When a minor update of macOS Sequoia is available, updating your Mac will block the "Creedence Cryptex" disks from appearing on the desktop or in Disk Utility.
Share our solutions if they work to block the disks called "Creedence Cryptex" from showing up on the desktop.
