Connecting Tableau Mobile to Tableau Server using a trusted SSL Certificate

Published: 24 Jan 2017
Last Modified Date: 09 Dec 2022

Question

How to use a trusted certificate to connect from the Tableau Mobile app to a Tableau Server configured for SSL.

Environment

Tableau Mobile App
iOS
Android
Tableau Server

Answer

Option 1: Configure Tableau Server to use an SSL certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority

Obtain an SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA) trusted by iOS and Android. Requirements and instructions for installing the certificate on Tableau Server can be found here: Configure SSL for External HTTP Traffic to and from Tableau Server.
Verify that the root certificate for the commercial Certificate Authority (Root CA) is installed on the device. For a list of root certificates trusted by iOS and instructions on how to find them on your device, see this page on the Apple Support site. For Android, see Official List of Trusted Root Certificates on Android at DigiCert.

Note: Most commercial root certificates come pre-loaded on both iOS and Android operation systems.

Option 2: Configure Tableau Server to use an SSL certificate issued by an internal Certificate Authority

Obtain an SSL certificate issued by your organization’s internal CA. Requirements and instructions for installing the certificate on Tableau Server can be found here: Configure SSL for External HTTP Traffic to and from Tableau Server.
Add a certificate chain file to Tableau Server (only necessary in some cases). See "SSL certificate chain file" here: Configure SSL for External HTTP Traffic.
Configure your mobile devices to trust the internal Certificate Authority by adding its root certificate (Root CA) to each device. This step usually isn't necessary if your IT department manages your mobile devices.
Verify that the root certificate (Root CA) for the internal Certificate Authority is installed on the device.

For more details about establishing trust, see Certificate Trust in the iOS Deployment Reference or this third-party information about Android certificates.

For Both Options:

If the certification path to Tableau Server is not trusted by either the iOS or Android operating system installed on the mobile device, the Tableau Mobile app will report that the device either lacks the proper security certificate, or the certificate is configured incorrectly. To provide a trusted path, a certificate chain file will need to be installed on Tableau Server.

For information on certificate chain files, see Configure SSL for External HTTP Traffic to and from Tableau Server in Tableau Server on Windows Help and Configure SSL for External HTTP Traffic to and from Tableau Server in Tableau Server on Linux Help.

Please note that requirements for certificates used on iOS 13 devices have changed. Apple outlines the new requirements here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210176

Additional Information

In the world of computer security and SSL encryption, certificates are used to verify the identity of a server, to guarantee that the server is what it reports to be. That certificate’s trustworthiness is established by a certification path, which is comprised of the Certificate Authority’s root certificate (Root CA), any intermediate certificate(s) and the server certificate.

SSL certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority, or CA. The CA can be a commercial enterprise, such as GoDaddy or Symantec, or an internal CA.

Discuss this article... Feedback Forum