Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: Git error - gpg failed to sign data

Git error - gpg failed to sign data. Resolve by installing gpg-agent and setting up GPG keys.

Quick Answer: Install gpg-agent using brew install gpg and set up your GPG key by running git config --global user.signingkey .

The 'Git error - gpg failed to sign data' issue is a common problem encountered by many users, especially those who have installed Git and GPG via Homebrew. This error occurs when Git attempts to sign the commit object with GPG, but fails due to various reasons such as missing or corrupted GPG keys.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • Missing or corrupted GPG keys
  • Outdated GPG software
  • Incorrectly configured GPG settings

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Method 1: Update GPG Software

  1. Step 1: Open a terminal and run the command `brew upgrade gpg` to update the GPG software.

Method 2: Configure GPG Settings

  1. Step 1: Run the command `gpg --import` to import your GPG keys.
  2. Step 2: Set the `GPG_TTY` environment variable to your terminal's TTY device using the command `export GPG_TTY=$(tty -s)`.

🎯 Final Words

By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the 'Git error - gpg failed to sign data' issue and successfully commit your changes.

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