How do I renew my APNS certificate within Certero for Mobile?

Having an active Apple Push Notification Services (APNS) certificate is an integral part of managing iOS devices using Certero. This certificate will allow Certero to communicate with these devices.

Renewing this certificate is a simple task and can be achieved through the following process:

Create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

• Login into the Windows Server where your Certero Application Server component resides

• Open up Internet Information Services (IIS)

• Double click on Server Certificates

• Select Create Certificate Request

• Enter relevant details under Distinguished Name Properties

• Select Next

• Select the Cryptographic service provider

• Select Next

• Select a folder and enter a filename

• Select Finish

• Save the Certificate Signing Request to the server

Submitting the Signing Request

• Navigate to cc.certero.com and sign in

• Upload your CSR into the My Files area

• Click Licensing

• Select your License key

• Scroll down to the license-able option of Mobile Device Management Client Options

• Click on Sign APNS CSR

• Use the dropdown under Select the uploaded CSR File to select your CSR

• Select Submit

• Save the file

Submit the Signing Request to Apple

• Open a new tab in your browser

• Navigate to https://identity.apple.com/pushcert/

• You should see your current APNS certificate in the list

  • You MUST select Renew on that certificate - Do NOT revoke it and create a new certificate.

• Upload the signed CSR file created by the Certero web tool

• Download the .pem file created by the Apple portal

Complete the certificate signing

• Head back to IIS on your Certero Management Platform server

• Double-click into Complete Certificate Request

• Browse to the .pem file created from the Apple portal

• Supply a Name

  • The certificate will now appear in the Server Certificates list

• Select it and click Export

• Select a .pfx filename to export to and choose a password

Apply the Certificate to Certero

• Log into the Certero Management Platform

• Navigate to Global Settings > Mobile Device Management > APNS certificate

• Click the '+' green icon to Upload Private Certificate

• Click Browse and find the .pfx file

• Click Open and input the Password

• Select Ok

Once you have gone through all of these steps, you should have an active APNS certificate imported into Certero, meaning the iOS devices will be able to receive push notifications.