Where to find and delete certificates on your iPhone
To remove a certificate from your iPhone, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management (or Profiles & Device Management on older iOS versions). Tap the certificate or profile you want to remove, then tap Delete or Remove. You may be asked to enter your passcode to confirm.
The exact name of this menu varies by iOS version — on iOS 15 and earlier, it may say Profiles instead of VPN & Device Management. If you cannot find it, search "VPN" in Settings and look for the management section there.
Removing a certificate does not delete your email accounts or other data. It only removes the certificate file itself. If that certificate was used to verify a network or service, you may lose access to that network until you reinstall the certificate.
Key Takeaways
- Certificates appear in Settings under VPN & Device Management or Profiles, depending on your iOS version.
- Deleting a certificate removes only the certificate file, not your email accounts or other stored data.
- If you remove a certificate that your work network or VPN requires, you will lose access to that service until you reinstall it.
- Some certificates are installed by your employer or school and may be reinstalled automatically if your device is still enrolled.
- You do not need a computer or iTunes to remove a certificate — it is done entirely on the iPhone itself.
Why certificates appear on your iPhone
Certificates are installed on your iPhone for several reasons. Your employer or school may install one so your device can connect to their network or email system. A VPN app installs one to find your internet traffic. A website or service you trust may install one to verify its identity when you visit it.
Some certificates are installed when you read a configuration profile — a file that sets up email, VPN, or network settings all at once. Others are added when you install an app that needs to monitor network traffic, like a parental control app or a corporate security tool.
If you do not recognize a certificate on your iPhone, it may have been installed by an app you no longer use, or by a network you no longer connect to. Removing it is safe as long as you are not actively using the service it supports.
Steps to remove a certificate on different iOS versions
On iOS 16 and later: Open Settings, tap General, then VPN & Device Management. Find the certificate or profile in the list, tap it, and tap Delete. Enter your passcode if prompted.
On iOS 15 and earlier: Open Settings, tap General, then Profiles (or Profiles & Device Management). Find the certificate or profile, tap it, and tap Remove. You may see a red minus sign next to the profile — tap that instead if Delete does not appear.
If you cannot find the menu: Open Settings and use the search bar at the top. Type "VPN" or "profile" and tap the result that appears. This works on all recent iOS versions and takes you directly to the management section.
What happens after you remove a certificate
Once you delete a certificate, your iPhone no longer has it. If a service or network required that certificate to work, you will lose access to it. For example, if you remove a work VPN certificate, you will not be able to connect to your company's VPN until you reinstall it.
If the certificate was part of a larger profile — such as an email setup profile — removing the certificate may not remove your email account. The account stays, but any security features that relied on the certificate will stop working. You may see an error when you try to send or receive mail.
Some certificates are managed by your employer or school. If your device is still enrolled in their management system, the certificate may be reinstalled automatically within a few hours or days. If you want to prevent this, you will need to unenroll your device from management, which is a separate process.
When you should not remove a certificate
Do not remove a certificate if you still need the service it supports. If your work requires you to use a VPN, and that VPN certificate is on your iPhone, removing it will cut off your access. Check with your IT department or network administrator before deleting any certificate you are unsure about.
If you are having trouble with a service and think a certificate might be the problem, try removing and reinstalling it rather than deleting it permanently. This often fixes connection issues without losing access long-term.
If a certificate is part of a profile that sets up multiple things — email, VPN, and network settings, for example — removing the profile removes all of them at once. Make sure you understand what the profile does before you delete it.
Reinstalling a certificate after removal
To reinstall a certificate, you usually need the original file or a link to it. If your employer or school provided the certificate, contact them and ask for the installation file or a link to read it again. If it was a VPN certificate, open the VPN app and look for a settings or account menu where you can reinstall it.
Some certificates come from websites. If you visit a website that requires a certificate and you have removed it, the site may prompt you to read and install it again. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall.
If you are not sure where the certificate came from, check your email for any messages from your employer, school, or IT support that included installation instructions. Those instructions usually explain how to get the certificate back if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a certificate delete my email account?
No. Removing a certificate removes only the certificate file. Your email account and messages stay on your iPhone. However, if the certificate was required for your email to work, you may see errors when you try to send or receive mail until you reinstall it.
Can I remove a certificate that my company installed?
Yes, you can remove it from your iPhone. However, if your device is enrolled in your company's management system, the certificate may be reinstalled automatically. To prevent this, you would need to unenroll your device, which you should discuss with your IT department first.
What if I do not recognize a certificate on my iPhone?
It is safe to remove a certificate you do not recognize, as long as you are not actively using the service it supports. If removing it causes a problem — such as losing access to a network or service — you can reinstall it. Check your email or contact your IT support if you need help finding the installation file.
Do I need a computer to remove a certificate from my iPhone?
No. You can remove certificates entirely on your iPhone using the Settings app. You do not need a computer, iTunes, or any other tool.
Why does my certificate keep coming back after I delete it?
If your device is enrolled in a management system — usually through your employer or school — certificates may be reinstalled automatically. Contact your IT department to unenroll your device if you want to stop this from happening.