How to Troubleshoot SSL Certificate Errors on Mobile Devices (Android + iOS)

If you’ve ever encountered an SSL connection error on your Android phone or other mobile device when trying to access a website, you know how frustrating it can be. SSL errors can prevent you from accessing important sites and leave your data vulnerable.

In this guide, we’ll explain what causes SSL certificate errors on mobile and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix these issues.

What is an SSL Certificate?

Before diving into troubleshooting, let’s review what an SSL certificate is. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection. When you visit a site with a valid SSL certificate, your browser establishes a secure connection with the web server, protecting any sensitive data transmitted such as passwords or credit card numbers.

Websites use SSL certificates to prove their identity to browsers and establish trust with visitors. SSL also improves a site’s SEO ranking, as Google prefers sites with valid SSL certificates.

Common SSL Certificate Errors on Android and iOS

Despite having a valid SSL certificate, users may still encounter errors when accessing a website on their mobile device. Some of the most common SSL errors include:

• “Your connection is not private”
• “The site’s security certificate is not trusted”
• NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
• Error 107 (net::ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR)

These errors usually indicate a problem with the SSL certificate, the device’s configuration, or the network connection. The error messages provide clues about the potential cause.

Troubleshooting SSL Errors on Android Phones

If you’re facing SSL connection errors while browsing on your Android phone, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the Date and Time Settings

One of the most common reasons for SSL errors on Android is incorrect date and time settings on your device. SSL certificates are only valid for a specific time period. If your device’s date and time don’t match the actual time, it may fail to validate the certificate, leading to errors.

To fix this, go to your Android device’s Settings > General Management > Date and Time. Make sure the “Automatic date and time” option is enabled. This syncs your device with the network-provided time. If it’s already on, try toggling it off and on again.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Data

Browsers cache data to improve performance, but sometimes this cached data can become corrupted and cause SSL errors. Clearing your browser’s cache and data can often resolve the issue.

Here’s how to clear cache and data in Chrome on Android:

1. Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu icon.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.
3. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and site data”.
4. Tap “Clear data”.

Repeat this process in any other browsers you use on your Android device.

3. Try Incognito/Private Mode

If clearing the cache doesn’t work, try opening the website in your browser’s private or incognito mode. This mode disables browser extensions and doesn’t save any browsing data, which can help rule out issues caused by extensions or cached data.

In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu and select “New Incognito tab”. In Firefox, tap the menu and choose “New Private tab”.

4. Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Antivirus and security apps can sometimes interfere with SSL connections by intercepting network traffic. If you have an antivirus app installed, try temporarily disabling it:

1. Go to your Android device’s Settings > Apps.
2. Find your antivirus app and tap it.
3. Tap “Disable” to turn it off temporarily.

After disabling the antivirus, retry accessing the website. Remember to re-enable the antivirus after testing.

5. Switch Networks

SSL errors can also be caused by issues with your Wi-Fi or mobile data network. To rule this out:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi and enable mobile data, then retry the connection.
2. If on mobile data already, connect to a different Wi-Fi network.
3. You can also try resetting your device’s network settings via Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

Switching to a different network can help determine if the error is caused by a network issue.

6. Update Android System WebView

On Android devices, the System WebView component powers web content in apps. An outdated WebView can lead to errors. To update it:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Search for “Android System WebView”.
3. Tap “Update” if an update is available.

Restart your device after updating to apply the changes.

7. Reset Your Device

If none of the above steps fix the SSL error on your Android phone, you may need to reset your device to its factory settings as a last resort. This will erase all data on your device, so be sure to back up important files first.

To reset your Android device:

1. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
2. Tap “Erase all data (factory reset)”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reset process to complete.

After resetting, retry accessing the website before restoring your backed up data.

Fixing SSL Errors on iOS Devices

SSL errors can also occur on iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. Many of the troubleshooting steps are similar to Android:

1. Check date and time settings: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and enable “Set Automatically”.
2. Clear browser cache and data: In Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.
3. Disable Wi-Fi and use mobile data: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle it off. Retry the connection using mobile data.
4. Update iOS: Install any available iOS updates via Settings > General > Software Update.
5. Reset network settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.

What to Do If You’re the Website Owner

If you’re the owner of a website that’s producing SSL errors for users, there are a few things you can check:

1. Ensure SSL certificate is properly installed: Check that your SSL certificate is correctly installed on your web server. Look for chain issues or mismatches between the certificate and the site’s domain name.
2. Update to the latest SSL certificate version: Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date version of your SSL certificate. Older versions may be untrusted by some browsers.
3. Check for mixed content: Look for any non-secure (HTTP) resources being loaded on your pages. Upgrade them to HTTPS to avoid mixed content errors.
4. Verify certificate validity period: SSL certificates have expiration dates. Make sure yours is still valid and renew it before it expires to prevent errors.

By properly configuring your SSL certificate and keeping it up to date, you can minimize the risk of users encountering errors when visiting your site.

Conclusion

SSL connection errors on Android devices and other mobile platforms can be caused by a variety of factors, from incorrect date and time settings to issues with the SSL certificate itself. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve most common SSL errors and restore secure access to websites.

If you’re a website owner, maintaining a valid and properly configured SSL certificate is crucial for providing a secure and error-free experience for your visitors. Regularly monitoring your certificate’s status and keeping it updated can help prevent SSL errors from occurring.

Hopefully this guide has provided the information you need to troubleshoot SSL certificate errors on your mobile device.

If you have any other questions or tips to share, let us know in the comments below!

Read also:

• Troubleshooting SSL Certificate Errors in Firefox: A Step-by-step Guide for Mozilla Users
• Fix SSL Connection Errors on Google Chrome: How to Resolve SSL Error in Browser
• Avoid These Common Mistakes When Issuing and Installing SSL Certificates