How to use Security Keys to protect your Apple ID on your iPhone

January 25, 2023

`How to use Security Keys to protect your Apple ID on your iPhone`

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Home Innovation Security

How to use Security Keys to protect your Apple ID on your iPhone

Security Keys can help to create an extra line of defense for your Apple ID to keep hackers away.

Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer on

Reviewed by Min Shin

Hand holding iPhone 14 Pro Max — Image: Zhang Peng/Getty Images

Apple has added a new feature to iPhones running iOS 16 called Security Keys for Apple ID.

More how-tos

This feature allows you to use hardware security keys to add an additional layer of protection to your Apple ID. This way, even if your password were to fall into the wrong hands, it would be useless without access to the right security keys.

Also: The best security keys

I’m going to tell you how this is a game-changer and the best way to protect your Apple ID from hackers.

How to use Security Keys to protect your Apple ID on your iPhone

1. Gather your security keys

You’ll need a minimum of two security keys (up to a maximum of six). You need to have two in case you lose or misplace one.

The security keys need to be Fido certified keys. I recommend you take a look at:

2. Go to your Settings

Start by tapping on Settings and then your name and photo at the top. Next, tap on Password & Security.

Settings on iPhone — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

3. Add Security Keys

Scroll down to Add Security Keys.

Password and Security section of iPhone settings — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

4. Use the following images to enroll the first Security Key

Remember that before you start, you need a minimum of two security keys.

Also: This is the ultimate security key. Here’s why you need one

My first security key is a YubiKey 5 NFC, so I tap this one to enroll.

Enter iPhone passcode page on iPhone — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

iPhone with cursor hovering over Add Security Keys — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

iPhone page with You Need Two Security Keys notification on it — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Add Security Keys page on iPhone — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Naming first security key on iPhone — You can give your security key a memorable name.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

5. Enroll your other security keys

My second security key is the YubiKey 5Ci, which has a Lightning connector on one end I can plug into the iPhone, and a USB-C connector on the other for other devices such as Macs, MacBooks, Windows PCs, iPads, and Android devices.

Naming second security key on iPhone — Again, you can give your security key a memorable name.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

6. Check that there are no rogue devices logged in with your Apple ID

Next, you’re presented with a list of devices currently signed in with that Apple ID.

Also: Did an SOS satellite icon just appear on your iPhone? Here’s why

All devices should be ones you recognize. If not, remove that device from the listing.

Review Your Active Devices page on iPhone — Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

7. You’re done

The process shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.

Now that you’re done, make sure to store your keys in separate places (I have one in use and another as backup, but you might want one for home and another for the office, or whatever works for you).

Don’t put both in the same place — such as on the same keyring. That way if you lose one, you’ll lose both.