SSL Pinning: Best Practices and Limitations for Mobile and Web App Security

While SSL pinning is a powerful security technique, it’s not a silver bullet. When applied correctly, it can significantly reduce the risk of man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks in mobile and web applications. However, SSL pinning also introduces operational challenges that development teams must carefully manage.

At Dorutech Software, we help businesses implement SSL pinning with the right balance between security and maintainability. In this post, we’ll explore best practices and common pitfalls to help you maximize its benefits.

✅ Best Practices for Implementing SSL Pinning

1. Use Public Key Pinning Instead of Certificate Pinning

Pinning the public key instead of the entire SSL certificate is more flexible. Certificates can expire or be reissued without changing the key. Public key pinning allows you to maintain secure connections without forcing immediate app updates.

2. Plan for Certificate Rotation

Certificates have expiration dates and sometimes need to be replaced unexpectedly. Dorutech recommends:

• Pinning backup certificates or public keys to enable smooth transitions.

• Implementing grace periods that allow both the old and new certificates to be accepted temporarily.

• Building clear certificate update processes into your app’s lifecycle.

3. Provide Meaningful Error Handling

When SSL pinning fails, users may experience broken connections. Instead of generic errors, show clear messages explaining the issue and advising users to update the app if necessary.

Dorutech integrates user-friendly fallback experiences to prevent frustration and unnecessary support tickets.

4. Regularly Review and Test Security Configurations

SSL pinning must be continuously tested, especially after server migrations, API changes, or certificate updates. Dorutech uses automated testing pipelines to verify pinning configurations during each deployment.

5. Keep Certificate/Key Storage Secure

For mobile apps, store pinned certificates or keys securely within the app bundle or in a trusted key store to prevent tampering.

⚠️ Limitations and Challenges of SSL Pinning

🔹 1. Certificate Renewal Complexity

If a certificate changes and the app is not updated, users may experience total service outages. For businesses without strong DevOps or app update workflows, this risk can outweigh the security benefits.

🔹 2. Risk of Bricking Apps

Hardcoding certificates without fallback options can “brick” an app, meaning users cannot access services until a manual update is pushed to app stores. Dorutech mitigates this by pinning multiple certificates and setting expiration alerts.

🔹 3. Browser Limitations for Web Apps

In web browsers, SSL pinning cannot be fully enforced by the application. Browser-managed SSL, combined with HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) and proper TLS configurations, is the best achievable protection.

🔹 4. Debugging and Maintenance Overhead

Pinning can complicate development and debugging, especially when using testing environments or proxy tools. Dorutech manages this by designing clear development vs. production environments with separate certificates.

✅ Conclusion

SSL pinning is an advanced but delicate security measure. When implemented correctly, it provides strong protection against interception and tampering. However, it demands proactive certificate management and careful planning to avoid breaking the app’s connectivity.

At Dorutech Software, we help clients weigh the security benefits against the operational risks and design SSL pinning strategies that safeguard their applications while maintaining flexibility.

If you’re considering SSL pinning for your mobile or web app, contact us to discuss the best security approach for your project.