Renew Apple Push Notification Certificate

The email address entered in the Add a new Apple Push Notification Certificate section receives a renewal notification before the certificate’s expiration date. However, to ensure continued coverage of the certificate, we recommend you renew the certificate within the 30 days prior to expiration date.

When a Push Notification Certificate expires, Apple requires a new certificate. If you have to add a new certificate rather than renew one, you must re-enroll your device in Device Management for Apple.

The association between existing devices and Device Management for Apple may be broken and the service interrupted if:

  • The certificate expires
  • A different Apple ID is used to renew the certificate
  • An option other than Renew is selected for the certificate in the Apple Push Certificates Portal.

If any of the above three scenarios occur, to maintain service continuity you must upload a new certificate to Device Management for Apple, and all devices enrolled in Device Management for Apple must be un-enrolled at the device and then enrolled again using the new certificate.

To renew an Apple Push Notification Certificate:

Download CSR

  1. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Configuration > Device Management for Apple to view the Dashboard.
  2. Click Push Certificates.
  3. Select the certificate by clicking the check-box next to it.
  4. Select Renew Certificate from the top bar.
    renew certificate
  5. Click Download CSR to store the .csr file locally and click Next.

Renew Certificate

  1. Click the Apple Push Certificates Portal link to renew your certificate.
    1. Sign into the Apple Push Certificates Portal with the same Apple ID used to create the current certificate (if required).
    2. Locate the expiring N-central Device Management for Apple certificate under, Certificates for Third-Party Servers.
    3. Click Renew (do not select Revoke).
    4. Under Renew Push Certificate, click Choose file to navigate to the location of the .csr file and click Open.
    5. Enter any relevant information in the Notes field and click Upload.

      The Confirmation screen provides information on the Service, Vendor, and the certificate's Expiration Date.

    6. Click Download to retrieve a copy of the certificate (.pem file).
  2. Return to the N-central Dashboard and click Next.

Upload Certificate

  1. Drag and drop the Apple Push Notification certificate (.pem) file into the main window or use browse to navigate to the file and select it.
  2. Click Finish.

Confirmation

  1. Review the confirmation message.

    Information about the certificate including its expiration date and number of days to renewal is displayed.

  2. Click the back button (<) to return to the main Dashboard view.