How to install a digital certificate on Android

Many of the procedures that can be carried out with the different government agencies require a digital certificate. That, however, does not mean that you need a computer: you can install a digital certificate using your Android mobile.

At the time, we already explained how to install a digital certificate on your mobile or computer. In this case, we focus on the case of Android to explain how you can perform this process on your Android smartphone or tablet, whatever brand it is, and regardless of its version of the operating system.

Obtain your digital certificate from your mobile

The first step before installing the digital certificate is to generate the said certificate from the mobile. Logically, if you already have a certificate and all you want to do is use it, you can skip this process.

This process will be carried out following the steps indicated on the official website of the National Mint and Stamp Factory, the body in charge of issuing this type of certificate. The process is summarized in these steps:

1. Download and install the “Obtaining FNMT certificate” application for Android.
2. Open the application you just installed and tap on “Request”.
3. Enter the indicated data: DNI or NIE, first surname, and email.
4. Click on the “Submit Request” button. You will get a request code that you will need to save for later use.

Those are the four steps to follow to request the certificate from your Android mobile. The application is compatible with any version starting from Android 4.4. Since most mobiles already have Android 9, Android 10, or Android 11, most people should have no problem performing the above process.

Now comes the most tedious process of all, since it will be necessary to visit one of the Registry Offices. You can check the one closest to your location on the FNMT Registry Office map. Remember that you must request an appointment.

There, you must present the application code that you have obtained in the fourth step of the previous process, in addition to proving your identity.

Finally, it only remains to download the certificate. To do this, you will only have to open the FNMT Certificate app on your Android device and tap on the “Applications” section. There, you can download your digital certificate.

Install a digital certificate on Android

It does not matter if you use a Xiaomi mobile phone, a Samsung Galaxy, or a Huawei smartphone: it is possible to install digital certificates on any Android device, regardless of the version of the system they use.

To do this, all you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Download and install the root certificate

First, you have to make sure you have the root certificate issued by the official entity. In Spain, it is the National Mint and Stamp Factory, and therefore it is necessary to access the root certificates page of the Royal Mint and download the root certificate.

A file with a .pfx, .p12, .cer, or .crt extension will have been downloaded to your Android smartphone or tablet, which you will have to install. To do this, open the notification that will have appeared on the panel or use a file explorer to go to the downloads folder.

Open the certificate file, and you will see a certificate installation window appear. If you want, you can include a name and description for the certificate – for example, “Root Certificate” -.

When you are done, you will see a notice at the bottom of the screen indicating that the root certificate has been installed successfully. You can still ensure it’s installed by going to Settings> Security> Other Security Settings> User Certificates.

You have already installed the root certificate of the FNMT, but that is not enough to identify you and carry out procedures through the public administration. Now you need to install the certificate that you had previously generated.

To install the certificate on your Android smartphone, you just have to follow the same steps as the previous process: find the downloaded file with a browser, and open it to run the certificate installer.

If you already had an electronic certificate that you had generated through your computer or any other method, to transfer it to your mobile, you just have to save it in its memory and then run it using a file explorer.

When you have finished, your digital certificate will have been correctly installed on the smartphone. You can use it whenever you want to identify yourself in public entities and bodies before carrying out any type of management.

How to use digital certificates on Android

Installing the digital certificate on your Android mobile is just the initial process. Then, it is time to use it to identify yourself in the administrations.

To do this, the next time you have to request a public body, simply choose the option “Identify yourself with Digital Certificate” -or similar-, and you will automatically see a pop-up window appear that allows you to choose one of the installed certificates -in if there are several -.

You only have to select your own certificate, touch on “Accept”, and you will automatically be identified and ready to carry out procedures such as, for example, submitting the Income Statement from your mobile.