Simplifying the Process of Generating Apple Distribution Certificates & Provisioning Profiles

Apple’s app development experience excels in many aspects, but when it comes to application signing and distribution, it can be a perplexing journey for developers. The concepts of code signing certificates and provisioning profiles have bewildered developers for over a decade. In this guide, we’ll demystify the process of generating Apple distribution certificates and provisioning profiles, making it easier for you to navigate the intricacies of app distribution.

Understanding Code Signing Certificates and Provisioning Profiles

Code Signing Certificates

In essence, a code signing certificate serves as a mechanism for developers to prove their authorship of an app. It can be an individual developer certificate or a distribution certificate linked to a specific organization. These certificates “sign” apps before uploading them to Apple’s app store servers, allowing devices to verify the app’s publisher before execution.

Provisioning Profiles

A provisioning profile is bundled with an app and associates the app’s unique identifier (bundle identifier) with the certificate of the individual or organization publishing the app. When an iOS device attempts to run an app downloaded from the app store, it checks the provisioning profile to verify the app’s legitimacy through the included certificate.

Step-by-Step Guide: Generating Apple Distribution Certificates & Provisioning Profiles

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the process, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. An Apple developer account.
2. A Mac computer (This guide focuses on Mac usage).
3. A registered bundle identifier for your app in the Apple Developer portal.
4. XCode IDE installed on your Mac, along with your app’s source code (required for the final step).

Generating an Apple Distribution Certificate

1. Create a Certificate Signing Request on Your Mac

• Launch the “Keychain Access” app on your Mac.
• In the menu bar, navigate to “Certificate Assistant” -> “Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority.”
• The Certificate Assistant wizard will appear. Enter your email address and select the “Saved to Disk” radio button, then click “Continue.”
• Save the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file to your preferred location on your drive.

2. Create and Download the Distribution Certificate from Apple

• Log in to the Apple Developer portal.
• In the left sidebar, click “Certificates, IDs & Profiles,” then select “Certificates” and click the “+” button.
• Choose “Apple Distribution” as the certificate type and click “Continue.”
• Upload the CSR file generated in the previous step and click “Continue.”
• Download the generated certificate file (with a “.cer” extension) and double-click it to install it on your Mac.
• Optionally, export the certificate to a .p12 file for use in external build tools or for sharing with team members.

Creating an App Store Distribution Provisioning Profile

Once you have the distribution certificate, proceed to create an App Store Distribution Provisioning Profile.

• Return to the Apple Developer Portal and navigate to “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles.”
• Click on “Profiles” in the left sidebar and then click the “+” button.
• Choose “App Store” under Distribution.
• Select your app’s bundle identifier from the “App ID” dropdown and click “Continue.”
• Choose the distribution certificate you created earlier and click “Continue.”
• Provide a name for your provisioning profile and click “Generate” to create and download it as a “.mobileprovision” file.

If you are not a developer, share the .p12 and .mobileprovision files with your development team.

Configuring XCode to Use the Certificate and Provisioning Profile

If you are comfortable working with XCode, follow these steps to configure it for use with the distribution certificate and provisioning profile.

• Locate and click on the downloaded “.mobileprovision” file in Finder to silently install it into XCode.
• Open your XCode workspace containing your app’s code.
• In the Project navigator, select your app’s project.
• In the settings content pane, choose your app’s target, then select “Signing & Capabilities” and click on “Release” in the sub-menu.
• In the Signing panel, uncheck “Automatically manage signing.”
• From the Provisioning Profile dropdown, select the provisioning profile you generated earlier.
• Ensure that the “Signing Certificate” box displays the name of the distribution certificate created earlier.

With these settings in place, XCode will use the distribution provisioning profile and certificate for generating Archive builds for submission to App Store Connect.

Conclusion:

Generating Apple distribution certificates and provisioning profiles may have been a confusing endeavor in the past, but with this comprehensive guide, you can navigate the process with ease. By understanding the roles of code signing certificates and provisioning profiles and following the step-by-step instructions, you’ll be well-equipped to distribute your iOS apps efficiently. Embrace the power of Apple’s developer ecosystem while sidestepping the confusion that once surrounded it.