How to install a digital certificate on Android

smartphone screen

If you usually carry out procedures of the Treasury or any other body government using your Android phone, you may need to install a digital certificate. These certificates have become an essential tool to access certain services. But do you know how to install a digital certificate on Android?

There are more and more public and private organizations that require to identify themselves on their platforms. Luckily, installing a digital certificate on an Android device is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.

In this article, we want to explain step by step how to install it on an Android cell phone. Also, we will tell you what this electronic tool is about and what it is for. Continue reading and learn more about this topic.

Client certificate and root certificate

It is important know and differentiate the types of certificates that we can currently have on our mobiles. In this way, we will be able to know what each one is used for. In addition, it is necessary to take them into account before starting the installation of a digital certificate on Android.

client certificates

They identify us on websites and offer a higher level of security. In general, they are used in places where access must be very secure, such as in the procedures we carry out with the public administration. With these certificates we can fully ensure that we are the ones who are accessing and carrying out the operation.

root certificates

root certificates

are certified associated with who issued them and may have other certificates associated to be able to function. We may install them in web browsers so that when we enter certain sites that may request them, just to make sure we can enter. Once inside, they may ask us for a client certificate to identify us.

What is a digital certificate and how does it work?

It's a electronic file used to securely identify individuals, entities or devices on computer networks. To do this, it acts as a "digital identity", ensuring that the information transmitted over the Internet is truthful and also guarantees your privacy.

person sitting at computer

To obtain a digital certificate for Android, You must request it from a certification authority. This is a trusted entity that is responsible for verifying your identity as the holder of the certificate. To carry out this action, the entity analyzes the evidence and official documents that you must present.

Subsequently, you will grant a public key that will be included in the digital certificate, and a key that you will keep secret. When a person or entity wants to send you secure information, you can encrypt it with the recipient's public key, ensuring that only the recipient can decrypt it with their private key.

Obtain your digital certificate for Android

Before, digital certificates could only be used on desktop or laptop computers. However, in recent years, they can also be installed on mobile devices with other operating systems, such as Android.

In this case, in which we will teach you how to install the digital certificate on Android, we will use as example the installation of the certificate of the National Factory of Currency and Stamp (FNMT). Follow the step by step that we show you below.

Download the root certificate

To perform any action that requires a digital certificate, it is necessary pre-install the root certificate of the corresponding authority. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Access the section "Settings” of the Android device.
  2. Choose "Security".
  3. Go into "Encryption and credentials".
  4. Choose the option "trusted credentials” to display all the certificates installed on the device.
  5. If there is no search engine, scroll down to find the FNMT certificate.
  6. Access the web of the FNMT root certificate.
  7. If an error message appears, choose to click on “Advanced” and continue to the web.
  8. Download the FNMT Root AC clicking on Download FNMT-RCM Root CA certificate.
  9. The Android device should automatically open with the certificate installer. If that is not the case, find the downloaded file in the downloads folder and select it.
  10. Finally, press "Accept” to complete the certificate installation.

Get the digital certificate on Android

The type of certification may vary depending on the organization with which you are going to interact. However, in many cases the certificate issued by the FNMT is sufficient. Also, no matter the certifying authority, the steps will always be similar.

Currently, there are three options to obtain the certificate digital of the FNMT:

  • Through its web page.
  • Through the DNIe in the same web page.
  • With the Android app of “Obtaining FNMT certificate".

If you dare to use the "Obtain FNMT certificate" application, you will only see two buttons on its interface: Request and Pending applications. You must press "Request” and you will find a form that asks for your personal information and email address.

Once you complete the necessary requirements, you need to go to the authorized registry office to certify your identity. You will then be able to download the personal certificate and password.

Transfer the certificate to your Android mobile

Now, touch pass the certificate from the computer (if you downloaded it to your PC) to your Android mobile. There are several ways to do it:

  • By USB: Connect the mobile to the computer using the USB cable and directly transfer the file. Then unplug the cable.
  • By Bluetooth: Send the file via Bluetooth from your computer to your mobile. Accept the transfer on the Android device.
  • For cloud storage: Upload the certificate to a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox and download it later on your mobile.
  • By email: Attach the certificate to an email and open it later in Gmail or the email account you have on your mobile to download it.

Install the certificate on Android

How to install a digital certificate on Android

Once you have the certificate on your Android device, continue with the instructions below to end this procedure:

  1. Go to "Settings” from your phone.
  2. Select the option “Security"
  3. Press "Install from storage” or “Install CA certificate”.
  4. Find the file .pfx or .p12 file you transferred earlier and select it.
  5. Enter the password you set when applying for the certificate.
  6. Press “Install” or “Accept”. The certificate will be installed on your mobile.

Check that the certificate is installed

install a digital certificate on android

Finally, you can verify that the certificate was installed correctly as follows:

  1. Accede to "Settings” on your Android mobile.
  2. Then go to “Security".
  3. Enter the option "Trusted certificates”. In the personal certificates tab you will find the newly installed certificate.

By clicking on the name of the certificate you can see its details, such as the issuer, serial number, validity date and fingerprint. With this you will confirm that you can now use the digital certificate on your Android device to carry out electronic procedures and access services that require it as a means of identification.


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