Clarification Needed on Apple Push Notification Service Server Certificate Update Requirements for Token-Based vs. Certificate-Based Authentication

Hello Apple Developer Team,

Based on the mandate to update the APNs certificate by February 24, 2025 for certificate-based authentication, a question from the team has been brought up that maybe Apple or the community can help answer. Since our implementation uses token-based authentication, I’m seeking clarification on a couple of points:

1. Does the certificate update affect token-based connections at all?

2. What is the rationale behind updating certificates for certificate-based authentication, and are there any implications or benefits for developers using token-based authentication?

Understanding these details will help us ensure our system remains compliant and optimally configured. Any guidance or further clarification you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

The mentioned certificate is not related to the APNs authentication method you are using, whether a push certificate or token based.

It has nothing to do with your app or your APNs keys or certificates you may be using to authenticate your push requests.

This is a TLS certificate that needs to be installed on the server in order for it to create a https connection to APNs. You need to do this if an only if you are maintaining your own push servers which connect directly to APNs.

Thank you for your prompt response and clarification.

Is it possible to know what time this change will happen? Our testing teams would like to be prepared for the change and test to see if everything is working afterwards.

Thanks again!

Clarification Needed on Apple Push Notification Service Server Certificate Update Requirements for Token-Based vs. Certificate-Based Authentication
 
 
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