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Reference

Certificate types

The certificate type helps to identify a certificate in your developer account and Xcode.

Type

Purpose

Apple Development

For use with Xcode 11 and later.

Run an iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on devices and use certain app services during development.

Apple Distribution

For use with Xcode 11 and later.

Distribute your iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on designated devices for testing or submit it to the App Store.

APNs Auth Key

Generate server-side tokens as an alternative to certificates for your notification requests.

Apple Push Services

Establish connectivity between your notification service and APNs to deliver remote notifications to your app.

iOS Development

Run an iOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on devices and use certain app services during development.

iOS Distribution

Distribute your iOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on designated devices for testing or to submit it to the App Store.

Mac Development

Enable certain app services for a Mac app during development and testing.

Mac App Distribution

Sign a Mac app before submitting it to the Mac App Store.

Mac Installer Distribution

Sign and submit a Mac Installer Package, containing your signed app, to the Mac App Store.

Developer ID Application

Sign a Mac app before distributing it outside the Mac App Store.

Developer ID Installer

Sign and distribute a Mac Installer Package, containing your signed app, outside the Mac App Store.

Apple Pay

Decrypt app transaction data sent by Apple to a merchant/developer.

Merchant Identity

Authenticate you to Apple Pay Servers.

Pass Type ID

Sign and send updates to passes in Wallet.

Swift signing

For use with Swift Package Manager version 5.9 or later.

Sign Swift packages and package collections for distribution.

VoIP Services

Establish connectivity between your notification server and APNs to alert background VoIP apps of incoming activity.

WatchKit Services

Establish connectivity between your notification server and APNs to update ClockKit complication data.

Website Push ID

Sign and send updates for Websites.

MDM Vendor CSR signing

Sign MDM Solution customers or your own Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs) to generate an MDM Push Certificate at identity.apple.com. This certificate is available by request, learn more.

App License Delivery encryption and signing

App License Delivery (ALD) signing and encryption certificates enable generating app license requests for eligible apps.

Note: In your keychain, a signing certificate name contains a hint to the type, and includes the team name and Team ID.