This guide is no longer valid, a new guide is available here:
How to: Symbian Sign Applications using Open Signed (without a Publisher ID)
In this guide I’ll explain everything you’ll need to know to sign and install unsigned software such as Samir’s RotateMe application in a few minutes, but first some information.
Symbian signed applications are great, they allow users to feel secure about the applications they use and protect them from virus infections and other malicious software. We all hope the guys at Symbian knew what they were doing when they decided to implement the Symbian Signed system and some hope this decision was not entirely based on ‘making-money-from-the-developers’ issues. As new open operating systems are emerging, Symbian might reevaluate the Symbian Signed procedure, however at the moment Symbian’s main strategy is to make the signing process easier. I’m all for everything that becomes easier and can only establish that it still needs some work.
The problems really start when users start using freeware applications that are not signed or are still waiting to be signed. It’s also a problem for small time developers and freelancers with small or no budgets. These type of developers usually make their freeware as a way to learn coding for the platform. Learning as we all know means making errors and thus, these developers want and need to constantly update their software and let the community try them for feedback. With the current Symbian Signed procedures this can be a time and money consuming (not to mention very confusing for most!) effort which causes them to not bother. This results a real Kafka-like situation where great applications are available for free, but as the developer lacks the funds or the time to get it signed, most users are not able to use it. A classic example of this is the RotateMe application which most of you have heard about but were able to install.
I’ve read hundreds of posts on various forums where people post their IMEI-codes and beg others to get a certain application signed. DON’T DO THAT! It’s a foolish thing to do, much like posting your home address on the Internet for everyone to see. Remember the IMEI-code is your phones serial number and is used to track and identify it.
So I thought why not give you guys a guide on how to Symbian Sign your applications yourselves once and for all? Wouldn’t you love to run the RotateMe, the NokMote or any of the other freeware applications out there that require you to first get them Symbian Signed? Continue to read my guide then!
Alright, enough of the blabbering, let’s get our hands dirty!
This is what you need
- A computer with internet connection
- About 20 minutes of time
As usual SimplySymbian.com cannot be held responsible if you during the following procedure manage to destroy your phone, blow up your computer or in any other way destroy your equipment
Register a Symbian Signed account
- Go to https://www.symbiansigned.com and register a new account.
Click the ‘Register now!’ link which can be found in the green login form. They’ll send you a verification email which you’ll have to confirm.
Note: Symbian Signed does not accept web based emails such as hotmail or gmail, you’ll need a pop3 email.
Download necessary tools and create a Developer Certificate
-
-
Run the DevCertRequestControl application from your Windows Start menu (it should be in the SignSIS-GUI application folder if you installed it right).
the DevCertRequestControl application
-
Click the DevCertRequest button to create a Developer Certificate. A new window will open and you’ll be required to enter your IMEI-code. The IMEI code consists of 15 digits and can be found by typing *#06# in your phones idle screen or by checking at the sticker under your battery.
Make sure you don’t touch anything after you’ve clicked OK, as your computer will become alive and several dialogs will flash on your screen.
-
When you see the ‘Finished’ dialog, your Developer Certificate file is ready and placed in your ‘My documents’ directory.
-
Go back to the Symbian Signed website, log in if you haven’t done so already.
Click on ‘My Symbian Signed’ - ‘Open Signed’ - ‘Request’.
-
Enter the security code shown in the image and attach your Developer Certificate file found in your ‘My documents’ directory. It should be called something like SignSIS_35xxxxxxxxxxxxx.csr.
-
Click the ‘Send’ button, if you’ve entered everything right, you’ll come to a Request DevCert where you’ll see your certificate and how long it’ll be valid. If not you probably misspelled the security code, try again until you succeed.
Download your certificate and sign your application
-
On the Symbian Signed website, click on ‘My Symbian Signed’ - ‘Open Signed’ - ‘My DevCerts’. You’ll find a list of your certificates (you’ll probably only have one).
-
Download the certificate by clicking the ‘Download’ button. You’ll be asked to save a file named something like SignSIS_35xxxxxxxxxxxxx.cer. Save it to your ‘My Documents’ folder.
-
Run the SignSIS-GUI application from your Windows Start menu or by clicking on the SignSIS button in the DevCertRequestControl application shown in the above image.
the SignSIS GUI application
-
Add your .cer file found in your ‘My documents’ folder in the DevCert input box.
-
You don’t need to add anything in the KeyFile input box as it should contain the standard SignSIS.key file. If it doesn’t you’ll find this file where you installed the SignSIS GUI application, normally in the C:\Program\SignSIS-GUI folder.
-
Key should be 0123456 if you’re going with the standard SignSIS.key file.
-
And now, finally, add your unsigned freeware file in the Input.sis(x) box and click the ‘SignSIS!’ button.
If all went well, you’ll be prompted with a new dialog stating you succeeded. A new file will be created in the same folder as your old ‘unsigned’ file. Transfer the new ’signed’ file to your phone and enjoy!
Send me your questions and feedback using this link.
[Source: Gosymbian]
Share This
