Delete a Credential Safely

Delete a Credential Safely

Deleting a credential is permanent — "This action cannot be undone." This guide covers what deletion does, when a gentler action is the better choice, and the other actions in MyWatchtower that take credentials away as a side effect. For the full credential lifecycle, see "Managing Access Credentials".

Consider the alternatives first

• Suspend if the stop may be temporary — the credential stays on file and can be restored; see "Suspend or Unsuspend a Credential".
• Unassign if the physical credential will be reissued to someone else later — it stays on file but stops working while unassigned; see "Assign or Reassign a Credential".
• Delete only when the credential should never work again and you don't need to keep it on file.

Delete a credential

1. Open Access > Credentials and find the credential. 2. Choose Delete from the row's actions. 3. Read the confirmation and confirm.

On the panel side: on HID communities the credential is also queued for removal from the controllers, so it stops being recognized at the doors. Removal is delivered automatically — there is no manual push step — and may take a short while to land.

Credential loss outside the Credentials tab

Credentials are also removed by bigger actions elsewhere in the app, and each shows a warning that names exactly who loses credentials before you confirm:

• Removing a user from a property or community, or deleting a user — the confirmation dialog warns who loses credentials as a result.
• Resetting a property — the reset confirmation likewise warns about the credential loss it will cause.

Review those lists before confirming. If the loss was not intended, reissue credentials afterward with the wizard — see "Create a Credential".

Access is also revoked automatically when an account is deleted, when a person is removed from a property, or when they leave the community — so a departure cleans up the person's provider access without a separate delete on each credential. Still check the Credentials list afterward if you need the records themselves gone.

Need Help?

If Delete is missing for you, your role may not include the needed credentials permission — check with your community Admin, or submit a help desk ticket.