# Yubico Authenticator — 2FA with YubiKey

> Hardware-backed two-factor authentication using a physical security key. (iPhone/iPad app by Yubico.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yubico-authenticator/id1476679808 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Yubico](https://appshunter.io/developer/586890748)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 268 App Store ratings · 179 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 4 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Slovak
- Released: 2019-11-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yubico-authenticator/id1476679808/reviews.md

## What is Yubico Authenticator?

Store your unique credentials on a hardware-backed security key and take it wherever you go from mobile to desktop. No more storing sensitive secrets on your mobile phone, leaving your account vulnerable to takeovers. With the Yubico Authenticator you can raise the bar for security.

* The Yubico Authenticator will work with any USB, Lightning, or NFC-enabled YubiKeys.
* As iPads do not have NFC, they will only work through a Lightning or USB connection.

The Yubico Authenticator generates a code used to verify your identity as you are logging into various services. No connectivity needed!

Features include:
Touch or NFC Authentication - Touch the YubiKey sensor or simply tap a YubiKey with NFC to a mobile phone that is NFC-enabled to store your credential on the YubiKey
USB-C support - Connect the YubiKey 5Ci or any USB-C type YubiKey. When prompted, depending on the key, touch the contacts on the sides of the key or the golden ring on the top
Biometric support - Experience greater convenience by unlocking your YubiKey with FaceID or TouchID
Easy Setup - QR codes available from the services you wish to protect with strong authentication
User Presence - New codes generated with just a touch or NFC tap of the YubiKey
Compatible - Secure all the services currently compatible with other Authenticator apps
Secure - Hardware-backed strong two-factor authentication with secret stored on the YubiKey, not on the mobile device
Versatile - Support for multiple work and personal accounts
Portable - Get the same set of codes across our other Yubico Authenticator apps for desktops as well as for all leading mobile platforms
Flexible - Support for time-based and counter-based code generation
Smart Card - Support for Apple's CryptoTokenKit Extension making it possible to use certificates stored on your YubiKey to authenticate with other apps and sites

Experience security the modern way with the Yubico Authenticator. Visit yubico.com to learn more.

## Key features

- Hardware-backed security key storage
- Touch or NFC authentication
- USB-C support
- Biometric unlock (FaceID/TouchID)
- QR code setup
- User presence verification
- Smart Card support

## What do users think of Yubico Authenticator?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Works well with Yubikey
- 🔒 Secure storage of OATH secrets
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 NFC support added

**Cons**

- 🐛 NFC not working on some devices
- 🐛 Clunky UI for password-protected keys
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes reported
- 🐛 Incompatible with some devices (iPad, older iPhones)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- NFC not working reliably
- Accounts disappearing after updates
- Calculation of codes not working
- Keyboard issues when using keys

**Most requested features**

- Allow editing and rearranging of entries
- Add support for multiple keys per account
- Improve iPad/tablet support
- Add dark mode option
- Improve QR code scanning

## Recent user reviews (10 of 179)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yubico-authenticator/id1476679808/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Works fine, could use polish

*2026-05-16, version 1.13.0*

Please update this app to reflect automatic dark icons in iOS 26. As it stands, this app sticks out like a sore thumb for its insistence on an inflexible branded app icon.

### 3/5 — useless on iPad 10th generation

*2026-05-01, version 1.13.0*

I plug in my YubiKey C Bio and it only flashes 3 times then quits. I can’t even access the configuration of the key. Y is this? My iPad is now my only device

### 2/5 — yubico auth is not recognizing my ipad

*2026-04-29, version 1.13.0*

plugged in my yubi key to the ipad port and saw that yubico auth still shows “Insert your YubiKey”however it does work on my pc

### 1/5 — NFC not working

*2026-03-21, version 1.13.0*

I’m not able to detect key and setup in my iphone. Earlier I ordered 5C version it wasn’t detected then ordered NFC one and wasted my time and efforts. Fix the app instead of wasting money on website UI design.

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2026-02-20, version 1.12.3*

Easy to use with my yubikey 5ci

### 1/5 — Accessibility

*2026-02-15, version 1.12.3*

It’s a shame that companies like you do not think about putting in Accessibility for those who are blind or visually impaired such as my cell. I would like to secure my accounts as well! But because the lack of Accessibility that’s impossible.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work on iPhone either

*2026-02-05, version 1.12.3*

Wow. Just wow. I couldn’t get this to work on my android. So I bought an iPhone 17 (for this among other reasons). And it won’t work on IOS either! “The requested functionality is missing or disabled on this yubikey”. What the hell, man! Really?!

### 1/5 — IOS Incompatibility for USB-C Bio

*2026-02-04, version 1.12.3*

I’ve never been able to get my BIO key to be read by this app on my iPad Pro or my iPhone 16 Pro Max.  My key itself does work when I attempt to use it on both devices, I just can’t manage it on them.

### 3/5 — Great idea, one big oversight

*2026-01-19, version 1.12.3*

Not being able to set multiple yubikeys to the same account just seems bizarre, considering having a backup key is almost essential for a good cyber security setup. Creating 2 versions of each account is a clunky workaround and could cause issues if you don’t know which version to use when requested.

### 4/5 — Best authenticator app, not quite perfect.

*2026-01-09, version 1.12.3*

I just got into two keys and i love the ingenuity employed with this.
I would like to see more management capability with OTP slots and the like similar to the desktop players, as well as being able to view TOTP secrets for backup.

## Frequently asked questions about Yubico Authenticator

### What does the Yubico Authenticator app do?

The Yubico Authenticator app allows you to store your unique credentials on a hardware security key, such as a YubiKey. It then generates verification codes used to log into various online services, providing a secure two-factor authentication method without storing sensitive information on your mobile device.

### What are the key features of the Yubico Authenticator?

Key features include storing credentials on a hardware security key, touch or NFC authentication, USB-C support, biometric unlock using FaceID or TouchID, easy setup via QR codes, user presence verification, and support for both time-based and counter-based code generation. It also offers Smart Card support for certificate-based authentication.

### How much does the Yubico Authenticator app cost?

The Yubico Authenticator app is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements associated with the application itself. The primary cost is the purchase of a compatible YubiKey hardware security key.

### What devices is the Yubico Authenticator compatible with?

The app is compatible with mobile phones and tablets that support USB, Lightning, or NFC connections, depending on the YubiKey model used. iPads without NFC will require a Lightning or USB connection. It generates codes that are compatible with services that support other authenticator apps.

### How does this app improve security compared to other authenticator apps?

This app enhances security by storing your sensitive secrets on a hardware-backed YubiKey, rather than on your mobile device's internal storage. This significantly reduces the risk of account takeovers if your phone is compromised. Codes are generated only when the YubiKey is physically present and authenticated.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.13.0 — 2026-03-11

This version adds support for retired PIV slots and PIV decryption in the Smart card extension, enabling mail clients to decrypt encrypted emails using private keys stored on YubiKey. We've also added SCP11 support for PIV sessions over NFC on FIPS keys and improved PIV certificate display names. Additionally, we've improved how the app handles YubiKeys with the OATH application disabled and improved the reliability of the Yubico OTP disable feature.

### 1.12.3 — 2025-08-11

Fixes issue with multiple Face ID scans

### 1.12.2 — 2025-07-07

- Fixes issues around codes disappearing after a NFC scan.
- Fix an issue with the re-calculation of HOTP codes.

### 1.12.1 — 2025-07-01

Fixes an issue with codes not refreshing after changing views.
Fixes problems around holding on to the YubiKey connection for too long after becoming inactive or in background.

### 1.12.0 — 2025-05-30

* Fixes an issue with TOTP codes not updating after scrolling them out of the screen.
* Improves the naming around FIPS keys.

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## Related topics

[yubico authenticator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/yubico-authenticator) · [yubikey](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/yubikey) · [yubico](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/yubico) · [yubikey manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/yubikey-manager) · [lpl authenticator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lpl-authenticator) · [calibre biometrics](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/calibre-biometrics)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*