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Managing your Apple ID and certificates

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Important

Visual Studio App Center is scheduled for retirement on March 31, 2025. While you can continue to use Visual Studio App Center until it is fully retired, there are several recommended alternatives that you may consider migrating to.

Learn more about support timelines and alternatives.

How does Secret storage work

Your Apple ID and certificate are stored securely in an encrypted vault designed so that only App Center internal services are allowed to read the values. As with any other credentials, it isn't possible to download them from the Secret storage. However, the Apple ID owner can assign it to services in App Center.

How do I add Apple ID and certificate to storage?

You can add your Apple ID and signing certificate in two ways:

  1. While going through the Distribute upload wizard
  2. Navigating to Account settings -> Developer accounts and click the blue + button.

Secrets are stored in a secure vault, to protect the confidentiality of your credentials.

App Center uses your Apple ID to manage your provisioning profile and your signing certificate to re-sign a release.

How can app members use my Apple ID?

When you add an Apple ID to an App Center service, like App Store connect or automatically manage devices. The Apple ID is made available to app members, and they'll use it for tasks in App Store Connect and automatic device management. Because the Apple ID is a personal login, it's only possible to add it to an app and not an organization.

Two factor authentication

App Center supports Apple IDs with two-factor authentication protection enabled. App Center only supports six-digit codes generated from a trusted device.

Any of your trusted Apple devices can generate a six-digit code by clicking "Allow." Once you have a code, fill out the dialogue and App Center uses the same session next time it's needed. A six-digit code must be renewed every 30 days. You can renew a code with a click on Reconnect account from the UI. The UI will be prompted for a new six-digit code.

App Store Connect requires both the six-digit code and an app-specific password to log in with two-factor authentication. You can read how to add a app-specific password at the App Store docs page.