How To Renew an APNs Certificate: A 3-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• Renewing your APNs certificate annually is essential to keep push notifications working on iOS and macOS devices, preventing disruptions in user engagement.
• The renewal process is simple and involves three key steps: checking your certificate’s expiration date, renewing it through the Apple Push Certificates Portal, and downloading and installing the new certificate.

Push notifications are a smart way to bring Apple users back to your iOS app. Whether you want to alert users about your latest sale or breaking news, the right app notifications make all the difference. However, Apple has strict requirements for push notification development. Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) is a must-have tool that keeps you connected with iOS and macOS users. 

You can’t use APNs without an APNs certificate. You only need to renew a certificate once annually, but forgetting to renew could come with disastrous consequences, like not being able to send notifications. In this guide, we’ll explain why you need an APNs certificate and three simple steps for renewing it.

In this guide:

• What Is an APNs Certificate, and Why Do I Need One?
• The 3 Steps for Renewing an APNs Certificate
• Renewal Done Right: What’s Next?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an APNs Certificate, and Why Do I Need One?

Apple issues APNs certificates to approved app developers. Think of it as a seal of approval that Apple finds your app secure and trustworthy. An APNs certificate is a secure channel that authenticates communications, enabling your server to communicate with Apple’s APNs platform. 

APNs certificates are essential if you want to send push notifications to Apple users, regardless of whether they’re on mobile or desktop. These certificates not only confirm notifications are coming from an approved app, but they also secure data transmitted via push notifications. They confirm only registered devices receive push notifications, ensuring you don’t accidentally message the wrong users. 

You need APNs certificates for several reasons, including:

• Enabling push notifications: APNs certificates are mandatory. Without them, you can’t use Apple’s push notification system. 
• Securing communications: An APNs certificate authenticates your app’s server, which tells Apple you’re a trusted source. Apple requires all developers to request an APNs certificate to protect users from unauthorized messages and spam. 
• Being compliant: All iOS and macOS apps must have an APNs certificate to message Apple users. Failing to get a certificate will result in falling out of compliance with Apple, which is a big deal. 

The 3 Steps for Renewing an APNs Certificate

Requesting an APNs certificate is easy enough. However, you must remember to renew your certificate yearly or risk losing your notification privileges. Follow these easy steps to renew your APNs certificate. 

1. Check Your Certificate’s Date and Back It Up

Log into your Apple Developer account to check the expiration date of your current APNs. You can view this by going to the Certificates section. If you don’t already have one, be sure to download a copy of your current certificate just in case you need to revert changes. 

Keep in mind that you’ll need to log into the developer account associated with the APNs. Double-check which credentials you're using if you don’t see the APNs certificate in your account. 

2. Go to the Apple Push Certificates Portal

First, identify your Apple ID and bundle ID for the app associated with the certificate. Then, go to the Apple Push Certificates Portal in your Apple Developer account. Find the expiring certificate and make sure it matches your app’s settings. 

Click “Renew” next to the expiring certificate. Apple may ask you to upload a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). You can get this from your server, mobile device management (MDM) solution, or Keychain Access in macOS. 

3. Download and Install the Certificate

Download the new APNs certificate and save it in a secure location. Next, you need to access your server’s certificate management tool, where you will import the renewed APNs certificate. 

Finally, send a test notification to confirm the new certificate works properly. If you’re setting up web push notifications, use a free tool like webpushtest.com for a demo of standards-based web push notifications across all platforms, even iOS.  

Renewal Done Right: What’s Next?

APNs certificates are a non-negotiable part of sending push notifications to Apple users. Whether you have a mobile app or a web-based application, an up-to-date APNs certificate is a must. Follow the simple directions in this guide to keep your APNs certificate up-to-date and avoid disruptions in service. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my APNs certificate expires before I renew it?

Apple will suspend your ability to send push notifications if your APNs certificate expires. Users can’t receive notifications until you renew the certificate and integrate it with your server. It’s best to renew long before the certificate expires to avoid disruptions.

Do I need a separate APNs certificate for development and production?

Yes. Apple requires separate APNs certificates for development and production environments. Development certificates are used during app testing, while production certificates are for the live app. 

Can I renew an APNs certificate using a different Apple ID?

No. You must use the same Apple ID that created the original certificate. Using a different Apple ID will create a new certificate that isn’t compatible with your existing app setup, which could disrupt notifications.