Certificate types

The certificate type helps to identify a certificate in your developer account and Xcode.

Type				Purpose
Apple Development				For use with Xcode 11 and later. Run an iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on devices and use certain app services during development.
Apple Distribution				For use with Xcode 11 and later. Distribute your iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on designated devices for testing or submit it to the App Store.
APNs Auth Key				Generate server-side tokens as an alternative to certificates for your notification requests.
Apple Push Services				Establish connectivity between your notification service and APNs to deliver remote notifications to your app.
iOS Development				Run an iOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on devices and use certain app services during development.
iOS Distribution				Distribute your iOS, tvOS, or watchOS app on designated devices for testing or to submit it to the App Store.
Mac Development				Enable certain app services for a Mac app during development and testing.
Mac App Distribution				Sign a Mac app before submitting it to the Mac App Store.
Mac Installer Distribution				Sign and submit a Mac Installer Package, containing your signed app, to the Mac App Store.
Developer ID Application				Sign a Mac app before distributing it outside the Mac App Store.
Developer ID Installer				Sign and distribute a Mac Installer Package, containing your signed app, outside the Mac App Store.
Apple Pay				Decrypt app transaction data sent by Apple to a merchant/developer.
Merchant Identity				Authenticate you to Apple Pay Servers.
Pass Type ID				Sign and send updates to passes in Wallet.
Swift signing				For use with Swift Package Manager version 5.9 or later. Sign Swift packages and package collections for distribution.
VoIP Services				Establish connectivity between your notification server and APNs to alert background VoIP apps of incoming activity.
WatchKit Services				Establish connectivity between your notification server and APNs to update ClockKit complication data.
Website Push ID				Sign and send updates for Websites.
MDM Vendor CSR signing				Sign MDM Solution customers or your own Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs) to generate an MDM Push Certificate at identity.apple.com. This certificate is available by request, learn more.
App License Delivery encryption and signing				App License Delivery (ALD) signing and encryption certificates enable generating app license requests for eligible apps.

Note: In your keychain, a signing certificate name contains a hint to the type, and includes the team name and Team ID.