# Generate an iOS certificate

> Learn how to create an iOS certificate to deploy applications and send notifications to iOS devices. This guide includes essential steps with EasyCertif for PandaSuite users, simplifying the process of generating a certificate without requiring a Mac or command-line tools.

https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/generate-an-ios-certificate/

**To deploy your application or send notifications to iOS devices, you need an iOS certificate. This P12 certificate identifies your team or organization.**

This process usually requires owning a Mac or using command-line tools on Windows to generate a certificate signing request (CSR). To simplify these steps, the PandaSuite team has created the tool [EasyCertif](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/easy-certif-ios) that allows you to generate an iOS certificate with just a few clicks online. This tool is only available to PandaSuite users.

Here is the link to the tool: [EasyCertif](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/easy-certif-ios)

[Image: PandaSuite's EasyCertif tool: first steps to prepare the certificate in Apple Developer and choice of certificate type]

Follow the procedure below to fill it out.

> **Info**
>
> Here is Apple's official documentation on creating a certificate: [Create certificate](https://developer.apple.com/help/account/create-certificates/certificates-overview)

> **Tip**
>
> If Apple warns that your current distribution certificate is expiring, or if
> it is already expired, follow [Replace an expiring or expired iOS
> certificate](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/renew-an-expiring-ios-distribution-certificate/)
> for the full replacement workflow and the impact on App Store, ad hoc, and
> in-house distribution.

- Go to the [Account](https://developer.apple.com/account) section of your Apple Developer account.
- In the **Certificates, IDs & Profiles** section, click on **Certificates**.

[Image: Apple Developer Account page with the Certificates link outlined in red in the Certificates, IDs & Profiles section]

- Click the **+** button next to the **Certificates** title to add a new certificate.

[Image: Certificates list in Apple Developer, with a red arrow pointing to the + button next to the Certificates heading]

- Choose [the type of certificate](https://developer.apple.com/help/account/reference/certificate-types). For distributing an app on the App Store or Ad Hoc, choose **iOS Distribution (App Store and Ad Hoc)**. For sending push notifications, choose **Apple Push Notification service SSL (Sandbox & Production).**

[Image: Create a New Certificate page in Apple Developer listing certificate types, including iOS Distribution (App Store and Ad Hoc)]

- You will be asked to import a certificate signing request (CSR). This is where the PandaSuite magic happens 💫. No need for a Mac or command-line tools, go back to the [EasyCertif tool](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/easy-certif-ios).

[Image: Apple Developer step asking to upload a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), with an empty Choose File field]

- In the [EasyCertif tool,](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/easy-certif-ios) choose the certificate type and fill in the requested information: Email, Name, Code.

[Image: EasyCertif form to generate the certificate signing request (CSR): Email, Name and Country Code fields, and a Send button]

- Your CSR signing request has been successfully created! Download the *CertificateSigningRequest.certSigningRequest* file to your computer.

[Image: EasyCertif confirms the CSR was created and offers the CertificateSigningRequest.certSigningRequest file to download]

- Import this file into your Apple Developer interface. Download the .cer file that was just created to your computer.

[Image: Download Your Certificate page in Apple Developer, with the Download button to get the .cer file]

- Back in EasyCertif, import this .cer file and choose a password.

[Image: EasyCertif section to get the .p12 file: import the .cer certificate, set a password and click Send]

- Your p12 file has been successfully created!