Obtaining Your iPhone Development Certificate

Xcode uses your development certificate to code-sign your application before it uploads it to your device for testing.

Start by generating a certificate signing request (CSR) on your computer:

1. Launch Keychain Access, located in /Applications/Utilities.

2. Choose Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority.

3. In the Certificate Information window:

         In the User Email Address field, enter your email address.

         In the Common Name field, enter your name.

         In the “Request is” group, select the “Saved to disk” option.

         Select “Let me specify key pair information.”

         Click Continue.

         Choose your desktop as the location for the CSR file.

         In the Key Pair Information pane, choose 2048 as the key size and RSA as the algorithm.

The Certificate Assistant saves a CSR file to your desktop.

This process creates a public/private key pair. The public key is stored in your development certificate. Your private key is stored in your keychain. You must ensure that you don’t lose your private key and that only you have access to it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to backup your private key. Backing up your private key may also help if you need to use more than one computer to develop iPhone applications. You should also save your CSR.

4. Submit the CSR to the Program Portal.

After the CSR is approved by your team admin, you can download your development certificate from the Program Portal. As with your private key, you should backup your development certificate in case you need to develop iPhone applications on another computer.