Electronic certificates on Android mobiles

Android. How to import a digital certificate

To import an electronic certificate to the mobile device, it is necessary to have a valid copy of it. The icon for a valid copy is an open envelope with a green certificate sticking out and a key, with the file extension .pfx or .p12.

A copy of the same certificate can be imported multiple times. If the same name is specified, it will be overwritten. Otherwise, it will appear repeated in the certificate selection window when signing, with each name that has been established.

There are several options for importing a copy of the certificate depending on the file location:

Import a copy from e-mail

You need to access the certificate, sent as an attachment to the email. It is recommended to access email through the browser, from the web version, and not through the email app usually installed on mobile devices. 

When downloading the file the set up wizard starts up. Enter the backup password for the copy and once entered, click "OK". If you do not have a lock pattern or PIN set (depending on the Android version, one or the other may be required), the system does not allow the installation of the certificate.

Next, if you prefer, you can change the "Certificate Name" (a code of letters and numbers may appear).

Finally, enter the PIN or unlock pattern to finish the installation (if there is none, it will force you to set it). If it is the first certificate to be installed, it will also ask for the device PIN.

Import a copy for any location in the device

The certificate can be imported from any location on the device, not just from the SD memory. If it is from a SD memory, access the "Settings" icon, "Security", "Install certificates from SD. .

The available certificate copies are shown by default. Once a backup has been imported, it disappears from the SD card. and therefore from the list. If you have the copy outside the device, you can import it again.

Install certificates from the certificate selection window

Certificates can also be installed from the certificate selection window, which is enabled when accessing a procedure that requires identification with an electronic certificate, using the "Install" button: