While Yubico's hardware based authentication supported Android devices for a number of years, iPhone support was made possible thanks to iOS 11, which rolled out last year. And depending on your typing speed, YubiKey is up to four times quicker than entering a one-time password (OTP) yourself. It removes the need to toggle between apps and jot down temporary codes, and reduces the potential risks associated with mobile and SMS notifications. YubiKey is a small USB authentication device which acts as a second line of defence. A combination of two-factor authentication and effective password management is usually enough to keep nefarious types away from your accounts, but Yubico has introduced an extra layer of safety for iOS that lets you seamlessly log into apps by hovering a YubiKey behind your phone. Apple says the security key provides “extra protection from targeted attacks, such as phishing or social engineering scams.” While a scam website or app might trick you into revealing a six-digit number, getting you to hand over a physical object is much harder.Digital security has always been paramount, but the advent of tablets and smartphones has allowed us take much more data with us on the go. The thinking is that having something physical that stays with you is more secure than a passcode, which can be guessed, brute-forced, or viewed over your shoulder. The security key replaces that second step, the passcode. If you already have 2FA set up on your account, you’re familiar with logging into a new Apple device using your email address and password and then having a six-digit code sent via SMS or to another device (like an iPhone or a Mac) that you're already logged in on. These keys work in tandem with two-factor authentication (2FA), so you still need your password. It’s a great way to boost your security, and here’s how it works. In other words, a physical device can verify your Apple ID login in place of a passcode. Apple continues to tighten iOS security, and iOS 16.3 (and iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.2) includes support for physical security keys.

Yubikey with iphone