Overview and Classification of Apple Certificates

Many developers who are new to iOS certificates may not fully understand the types, functions, and concepts of iOS certificates. Below is a detailed introduction to different aspects of Apple certificates.

File Obfuscation Interface

Apple Developer Account Types

Account Type Cost Features & Limitations
Free Account Free Supports up to 3 test devices, cannot publish, no TestFlight, Push, Payment, or Apple Sign-In functionality
Individual Account 688 CNY/year Supports 100 iPhones + 100 iPads, can publish, supports Push, Payment, etc.
Company Account 688 CNY/year Similar to Individual, can add team members, App Store shows company info
Enterprise Account 199 USD/year Largely discontinued; no App Store submission needed, unlimited installations; mainly for internal enterprise app distribution

Types and Functions of iOS Certificates

Certificate Type Main Function
iOS Development Certificate Used during development and testing to install the app on real devices for debugging
iOS Distribution Certificate Used for app release; the IPA must be signed with this certificate to upload to the App Store
iOS Push Certificate Deployed on servers to communicate with Apple for push notifications (not used for packaging)
iOS Enterprise Certificate Used for internal enterprise apps; not submitted to App Store; installed via Safari or other methods; commonly used for OA systems or internal tools

Composition and Validity of iOS Certificates

  1. An iOS certificate consists of a .p12 file and a .mobileprovision file

    • .p12 file: analogous to a public key
    • .mobileprovision file: analogous to a private key

  2. Quantity limits:

    • Development p12: maximum 2
    • Distribution p12: maximum 3
    • .mobileprovision files: unlimited, can be generated for multiple apps with a single p12

  3. Validity:

    • Each certificate is valid for 1 year
    • Expiration dates can be checked in Xcode or the Apple Developer Console

Can iOS Certificates Be Deleted? What to Do When They Expire?

  • iOS certificates can be deleted freely without affecting already published apps.
    • Deleting a development certificate will cause test apps to stop working; reissuance and re-signing are required.
  • When a certificate expires:
    • If you need to update a published app: renew the certificate and re-sign the IPA.
    • If no updates are needed: the published app is unaffected.