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

Purpose

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.

Apple Development

For iOS, tvOS, or watchOS apps, run the app on devices and use app services during development. For macOS apps, use app services during development and testing.

Note: Available in Xcode 11.0 and later. For earlier Xcode versions, use an iOS Development or Mac Development certificate.

Apple Distribution

For iOS, tvOS, or watchOS apps, run the app on designated devices for testing or submit it to the App Store. For macOS apps, sign an app before distributing it through the Mac App Store.

Note: Available in Xcode 11.0 and later. For earlier Xcode versions, use an iOS Distribution or Mac App Distribution certificate.

Mac Installer Distribution

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

Developer ID Application

Sign a macOS 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.

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.

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