How to Move a User Certificate to the System Certificate on a Rooted Android Device

Jimale Abdi
3 min readJun 11, 2023

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Photo by Rami Al-zayat on Unsplash

Introduction

If you have a rooted Android device and need to move a user certificate to the system certificate store, it’s important to follow the right steps to ensure a successful transfer. This guide will walk you through the process, but please note that modifying system files on a rooted device carries some risks. Proceed with caution and make sure to back up your data before making any changes.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that your Android device is rooted. Rooting provides you with administrative access to the device, allowing you to modify system files and directories. Additionally, you’ll need a root-enabled file manager app to perform the necessary tasks.

Step 1: Install a Root-Enabled File Manager:

To get started, head to the Google Play Store and install a file manager app that has root access. Some popular options include ES File Explorer, Root Explorer, and Solid Explorer. Once you’ve installed the app, open it on your device.

Step 2: Locate the User Certificate

Using the root-enabled file manager, navigate to the directory where the user certificate is stored. Commonly, user certificates are located in either /data/misc/user/0/cacerts-added or /data/misc/user/0/cacerts. Take your time to find the correct directory.

Step 3: Copy the Certificate

Once you’ve located the user certificate, copy it to a temporary location. Long-press on the certificate file and a menu will appear. From the menu, select the “Copy” or “Move” option. Then, choose a suitable destination folder, such as your device’s internal storage or an SD card.

Step 4: Navigate to the System Certificate Store

Using the root-enabled file manager, navigate to the system certificate store directory. The path to this directory may vary slightly depending on your device, but it is typically found at /system/etc/security/cacerts or /system/etc/security/cacerts-added. Take your time to find the correct directory.

Step 5: Paste the Certificate

Once inside the system certificate store directory, paste the certificate file that you copied in the previous step. Long-press on an empty space in the manual, and a menu will appear. From the menu, select the “Paste” option to transfer the certificate file.

Step 6: Set Proper Permissions

To ensure the certificate functions correctly, you need to set the appropriate permissions. Long-press on the pasted certificate file, and a menu will appear. From the menu, select “Properties” or “Permissions.” Here, you can modify the permissions of the certificate file to match those of other certificates in the directory. Typically, the permissions should be set to rw-r--r-- or 644.

Step 7: Reboot Your Device

With the certificate successfully pasted and permissions set, it’s time to reboot your Android device. Restarting your device will apply the changes and finalize the movement of the user certificate to the system certificate store.

Conclusion

Moving a user certificate to the system certificate store on a rooted Android device allows you to utilize the certificate for system-level operations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely and effectively transfer the certificate, provided that your device is rooted and you exercise caution throughout the process. Remember to create backups of your data before making any modifications, and always proceed with care when working with system files.

Note

The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only. Modifying system files on a rooted device can be risky, and any changes made are at your own risk. Always ensure you have appropriate knowledge and understanding of the process before proceeding.

We hope this guide helps you successfully move a user certificate to the system certificate store on your rooted Android device. If you have any questions or encounter any issues along the way, feel free to seek assistance from the Android rooting community or consult relevant forums for additional guidance.

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Jimale Abdi

Android developer & app security specialist. Sharing insights on Medium. Let's connect, learn, and create together!