Generating a PFX File for Windows Mobile App Build

The following article outlines one way to generate and implement the .pfx file that is required for building a Windows mobile app in VertiGIS Studio Mobile. It is important to note that other methods for generating this file exist, and that this method is only suitable if a self-signed certificate is acceptable. This article does not cover how to build a Windows app for the Microsoft Store, so its primary use is for people who would like to share their VertiGIS Studio Mobile app(s) internally. Android and iOS require a different process.

Requirements

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 (the free Community edition will suffice)
• VertiGIS Studio Mobile app that has been deployed to Production
• Device running Windows 10 or later

Steps

1. Open a new project in Visual Studio 2022 using the "Blank App (Universal Windows)" template. This template is only available if you've installed the "Universal Windows Platform development" workload. NOTE: The "Universal Windows Platform development" workload and the "Blank App (Universal Windows)" template are no longer available in newer versions of Visual Studio 2022. Use the "Blank App, Packaged (WinUI 3 in Desktop)" template from the "WinUI application development" workload instead.
2. Double click the Package.appxmanifest file in the Solution Explorer pane.
3. Under the Packaging tab, click the "Choose Certificate..." button.
4. In the certificate wizard that opens, click the "Create..." button.
5. Set the Publisher Common Name to "Unknown", choose a password, and click OK.
6. Click OK again.
7. Right click on the [project name]_TemporaryKey.pfx file in the Solution Explorer pane and select Copy Full Path.
8. Open your app in VertiGIS Studio Mobile Designer.
9. In the Deploy panel, click the Build App button.
10. Select the Windows platform and fill out the App Name, ID, and Version info.
11. Under PFX File, use the Select File button to load the .pfx file you created in Visual Studio by pasting the path you copied earlier.
12. Once the app is built and downloaded, copy the ZIP file to the device where you would like to install the app (or use the link provided to download it directly to the device).
13. Extract the ZIP file.
14. Double-click the included .cer file.
15. Click the "Install Certificate..." button.
16. Set the Store Location to Local Machine and click Next. NOTE: Current User will not work.
17. Select "Place all certificates in the following store" and choose "Trusted Root Certification Authorities".
18. Finish the Certificate Import Wizard and install the app using the .msixbundle file.
19. Repeat steps 12-18 for each device where you would like to install your app.