# Strong Android Certificates

DevFeed: [Strong Android Certificates](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/strong-android-certificates-19535.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.codenameone.com/blog/strong-android-certificates/>)

Author: Shai Almog

Published: 2017-01-30T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [CodeName One](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/codename-one.md>)

Topics: [Android](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/android.md>), [APK](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/apk.md>), [Security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/security.md>), [Google Play](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/google-play.md>)

Tags: [android](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/android.md>), [apk](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apk.md>), [certificates](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/certificates.md>), [compatibility](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/compatibility.md>), [cryptographic](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cryptographic.md>), [google-play](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/google-play.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [signing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/signing.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains why Android APK signing certificates protect app updates and discusses moving from RSA1024/SHA1 to stronger cryptographic signing. It notes that newer signing options can improve security but may break compatibility with Android versions before 4.3, and that certificates cannot be changed after an app is published.

## Source excerpt

When Android launched RSA1024 with SHA1 was considered strong enough for the foreseeable future, this hasn't changed completely but the recommendation today is to use stronger cyphers for signing & encrypting as those can be compromised. APK's are signed as part of the build process when we upload an app to the Google Play Store. This process seems redundant as we generate the signature/certificate ourselves (unlike Apple which generates it for us). However, this is a crucial step as it allows the device to verify upgrades and make sure a new update is from the same original author!