certificate type

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

To sort certificates by type in your developer account, go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles, click All under Certificates, and click the Type column heading.

Type

Description

APNs Auth Key

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

Apple Push Services

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

iOS Development

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

iOS Distribution

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

Mac Development

Used to enable certain app services for a Mac app during development and testing.

Mac App Distribution

Used to sign a Mac app before submitting it to the Mac App Store.

Mac Installer Distribution

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

Developer ID Application

Used to sign a Mac app before distributing it outside the Mac App Store.

Developer ID Installer

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

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