Time is money, so anything we can do to make our tasks easier is always welcome. And in order to simplify our lives with official procedures, the Spanish State makes the Digital Certificate available to us, a tool that can be installed on both iPhone and iPad.
If you are still using slightly less sophisticated alternative methods, such as Cl @ ve PIN and you feel that they do not cover all your needs, or you are simply interested in learning more about the digital certificate, we invite you to continue with us learning what exactly the Digital Certificate is and why it can be a great advantage to have it on your iPad.
What is this Digital Certificate?
Imagine having a virtual passport that guarantees your identity in the vast digital world and that in order to carry out certain procedures it is like showing your ID to the official on duty.
That is precisely what the Digital Certificate offers: an electronic tool that check who you are online, allowing you to make secure transactions, sign documents digitally and protect the confidentiality of your data.
Uses of the Digital Certificate
In Spain, there are several practical uses that make it desirable to have the Digital Certificate on the iPad:
- Identity verification: It allows you to prove who you are online, ensuring that the information you share during an electronic transaction really comes from you.
- Electronic signature: It facilitates the signing of digital documents in a legally valid manner, which is especially useful for administrative procedures and electronic contracts.
- Data Protection: Provides a secure method to encrypt information transmitted between parties, ensuring that only authorized recipients can access it.
How can you obtain your own digital certificate?
You can get your digital certificate at the FNMT
First of all, it is essential to understand that There is no single Digital Certificate, but several, each issued by different authorized Certification Authorities.
These entities, such as the National Currency and Stamp Factory (FNMT), the Electronic Certification and Technology Agency (ACCV) and the Autonomous Governments, issue certificates with similar uses and validity, but may have certain differences depending on the issuing entity. Once you have decided with which entity to obtain your digital certificate, keep the following in mind:
Find out beforehand what you need to take it out and have it on hand
You have your identification document at hand (DNI, NIE, passport), and it is possible that you need to provide other documents depending on the issuing entity. In some cases, written forms will be required to be completed to verify your identity and the reasons for your request.
Request the digital certificate and when you have it, prepare to install it.
You can do it both online and in person, according to the options offered by the issuing entity. For example, for the FNMT, you can apply on its official website or at some registration offices. If you opt for online identity verification, you may have to pay a fee for this service.
Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to download and install your digital certificate on your iPad, iPhone or computer, you can have it on all your computers at the same time, since it is not "consume" when installing it on different devices.
How to install the Digital Certificate on my iPad?
If you don't know how to install it, don't worry, since doing so is quite simple and in a few minutes you will have it configured and ready to use:
Download the certificate verifying its format
First, make sure you have the digital certificate in a format compatible with the iPad, such as .p12, .pfx or .cer, which are the usual ones to install it. Many times when they give us a digital certificate it is usually compressed in ZIP format, so you must unzip it first to be able to install it.
Transfer the certificate to the iPad
You can transfer the certificate to your iPad in several ways, such as sending it by email, through iCloud Drive, using cloud storage applications like Dropbox, or through Finder if you are using a Mac, we leave it up to you to choose the one you like best.
In case you have any questions or do not have a preferred method to transfer files to your iPad, we advise you to take a look at this article from how to transfer music to an iPhone that will give you the necessary tools to move files or documents between your computer and tablet quickly
Install your digital certificate
Once the certificate is on the iPad, Open it by clicking on the corresponding file. If it's a .p12 or .pfx file, you'll likely be prompted to enter a password (usually provided by the registry office). If it is a .cer file, the iPad will automatically recognize the certificate.
Once opened, the iPad will ask you if you want to install it. Confirm the installation and follow any additional processes that the installer requests.
And with this you will already have your certificate installed, so you can now use it in applications that require a digital certificate, such as in government portals or, for example, as authentication for upcoming 2023 Income campaign, which is still similar to that of other years.
Is it worth getting the Digital Certificate?
Installing a Digital Certificate on your iPad is certainly a worthwhile step, as it will give you access to a variety of secure apps and services that require digital authentication. without having to depend on the mobile phone, receive pins or use the DNI to authenticate you.
Since I got it several years ago at the FNMT, the digital certificate has saved me a lot of time and headaches with the Public Administration, to the point that I have urged my relatives to get it to process things in the form fastest possible, so I strongly advise you to take it off. as soon as possible.
We hope that with the information we have provided you in this post, you are prepared to take full advantage of the secure functions offered by this vital resource on your Apple device and that, without a doubt, it will mark a before and after in the way you will relate to others. public entities.