Using Macbook Air M2 Touch ID as MFA security key

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Level 1

8 points

Using Macbook Air M2 Touch ID as MFA security key

Does anyone know how I can register Touch ID on my Macbook Air as a MFA hardware security key (eg. MFA for mail.google.com) so that I don't need to insert a separate Yubikey-style dongle and waste a USB-C port on my MBA to achieve the same thing?

When I attempt to go to https://security.google.com > Security Keys > Add security key - attempting to register Touch ID by touching it does nothing. (I can just touch a regular Yubikey to register it at this point).

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I believe Touch ID is FIDO2/Webauthn compatible right?

MacBook Air (M2, 2023)

Posted on Jun 28, 2023 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

kefa Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 28, 2023 8:32 AM in response to Rob_3837

Hey Rob, yes possibly. I'm probably being a numpty but I've browsed around in Settings and can't find anything that seems relevant. If I search Passkeys it just seems to give me the option to manage passwords for individual websites which isn't what I'm looking for. Any pointers?

Thanks in advance!

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Answer 2

kefa Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 28, 2023 8:43 AM in response to Rob_3837

Ah I see. Yes I already have several (yubikey-style) security keys registered, and wanted to use Touch ID for 2-step verification only, but you are correct, it seems Touch ID can only be used for Passkeys, not instead of 2-step verification only security keys.

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Answer 3

Rob_3837

Level 2

226 points

Jun 28, 2023 8:35 AM in response to kefa

Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left. In the How you sign into Google section, click Passkeys

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Answer 4

Rob_3837

Level 2

226 points

Jun 28, 2023 8:21 AM in response to kefa

I think where you want to be is Passkeys, not Security Keys. You can add a passkey that will let you use your fingerprint sensor there.

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Answer 5

kefa Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 28, 2023 8:55 AM in response to kefa

Actually it works as you described (prompts for password first) if the Workspace administrator hasn't enabled Passkeys, but Touch ID still has to be created under passkeys.

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Using Macbook Air M2 Touch ID as MFA security key

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