/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found

When encountering an issue with /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found, it typically means that the command couldn’t locate any SSH keys to copy. This error commonly arises when attempting to add an SSH key to a target machine. To resolve this, ensure that SSH keys are properly generated and accessible. You may need to create SSH keys using ssh-keygen and ensure they are stored in the default location (~/.ssh/).

/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found

When encountering the error message «/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found,» several potential causes may be at play:

• Incorrect SSH key path: One common reason for this error is specifying an incorrect path to the SSH key, leading the system to not find any identities.
• Missing or inaccessible SSH key file: If the SSH key file is missing or inaccessible due to permission issues, the system won’t be able to locate any identities.
• Empty SSH key file: Another possibility is that the SSH key file is empty or does not contain any valid keys, resulting in the error message.
• Incorrect formatting of the SSH key file: In some cases, errors may occur if the SSH key file is not formatted correctly, leading to the inability to find any identities.

These are some of the potential reasons why you may encounter the «/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found» error message. By addressing the underlying cause, you can resolve the issue and successfully copy your SSH key.

To resolve the «/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found» issue, you need to ensure that you have an SSH key set up and available for copying. Follow these steps to solve the error:

1. Check for Existing SSH Keys: Verify if you already have SSH keys generated on your machine. You can do this by running the command ls -al ~/.ssh in your terminal.
2. Generate a New SSH Key: If no SSH keys are found, generate a new SSH key using the command ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 and follow the instructions.
3. Add SSH Key to Agent: Add the newly generated SSH key to the SSH agent with the command ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa.
4. Copy SSH Key: Finally, attempt to copy the SSH key using ssh-copy-id again, ensuring to specify the correct user and host, such as ssh-copy-id user@host.

/usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: error: no identities found