Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Xcode 8 shows error that provisioning profile doesn't include signing certificate

Xcode 8 error: provisioning profile doesn't include signing certificate. Issue resolved with Xcode 7, same profile works.

Quick Answer: Update to Xcode 9 or later, as this issue was resolved in a later version.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 🎯 Final Words

Xcode 8 users are experiencing an error where the provisioning profile does not include a signing certificate. This issue is specific to Xcode 8 and does not affect Xcode 7, even with the same provisioning profile. The absence of a signing certificate can cause problems when trying to build and deploy apps on iOS devices.

This error can be frustrating for developers who rely on Xcode 8 for their projects. However, there is a solution to resolve this issue and get back to building and deploying apps without any complications.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error in Xcode 8 is due to the change in the way Apple handles signing certificates. In Xcode 7, the signing certificate was included in the provisioning profile by default. However, in Xcode 8, this feature has been removed, and developers need to manually add the signing certificate to their provisioning profile.
  • Another possible reason for this error is that the developer may have forgotten to include the signing certificate in their provisioning profile or may have accidentally deleted it.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Manually Add Signing Certificate

  1. Step 1: Open Xcode 8 and go to Window > Organizer > Devices. Select the device you want to add the signing certificate to.
  2. Step 2: Click on the 'Info' tab and then click on the '+' icon next to 'Signing Certificates'. Select 'Add' and choose the signing certificate you want to add from your computer.
  3. Step 3: Once you've added the signing certificate, go back to the 'General' tab and make sure that the 'Entitlements' section is selected. Then, click on the '+' icon next to 'App Code Signing Certificates' and select the signing certificate you just added.
  4. Step 4: Save the changes and close Xcode 8. You should now be able to build and deploy your app without any issues related to the provisioning profile.

Use a Third-Party Tool

  1. Step 1: Download and install a third-party tool such as 'Provisioning Profile Editor' or 'Xcode Pro' which can help you create and manage your provisioning profiles.
  2. Step 2: Open the third-party tool and import your existing provisioning profile. The tool should automatically detect the signing certificate and add it to the profile.
  3. Step 3: Once the signing certificate is added, save the changes and export a new provisioning profile. Import this new profile into Xcode 8 and try building and deploying your app again.

🎯 Final Words

In conclusion, the error 'provisioning profile doesn't include signing certificate' in Xcode 8 can be resolved by manually adding the signing certificate to the provisioning profile or using a third-party tool. By following these steps, developers should be able to build and deploy their apps without any complications.

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