Yubico Officially Releases Lightning-Ready iOS Security Key

Yubico has formally launched the YubiKey 5Ci, a new security key with a Lightning connector for iOS and MacOS devices. The YubiKey 5Ci has a USB-C connector in addition to the Lightning connector, so it is also compatible with Android and Windows devices and can provide secure authentication regardless of the hardware being used. 

“The YubiKey 5Ci fills a critical gap in the mobile authentication ecosystem,” said Yubico Chief Solutions Officer Jerrod Chong. “In a mobile-first world where users are not tied to one machine, the YubiKey 5Ci serves as a portable root of trust, proving that users are who they say they are, no matter what device they are on.”

The YubiKey 5Ci provides password-free authentication that is compliant with the latest FIDO2/WebAuthn and FIDO U2F standards. At the moment, the list of applications offering support for the YubiKey 5Ci includes 1Password, Bitwarden, Adaptive, LastPass, and Okta, as well as the Brave iOS web browser. Several more are working to add 5Ci support through the Yubico Developer Program, including Dropbox, SecMaker, and Keeper Security.

The launch represents the culmination of a process that started a year ago, when Yubico first announced it was working on an iOS security key. The company drummed up interest with a Partner Preview Program back in January, and then expanded the program in June after observing its initial success. Yubico also showcased the iOS key at the recent Black Hat security conference.

The YubiKey 5Ci is now available for a price of $70.