Use NFC and USB security keys natively on iOS devices

What’s changing 

We’re making it easier to use security keys with your Google Account on iOS devices. Specifically, we’re enabling native support for the W3C WebAuthn implementation on Apple devices running iOS 13.3 and above. This means you can use a USB or NFC security key directly on an iOS device, without installing the Google Smart Lock app.

Learn more about how you can use security keys on Apple devices on our Security blog.

Who’s impacted 

End users

Why it’s important 

Security keys provide the strongest form of 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) to help protect your account against phishing, especially when used as part of the Advanced Protection Program for the enterprise. With this launch you can now:

  • Tap a Titan Security Key (all of which have built-in NFC) on the back of your iPhone. 
  • Use any USB security key directly on an iOS device that has a USB port (such as an iPad Pro) or via an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter on any other device. 
  • Use Bluetooth security keys or your phone’s built-in security key on any iOS device via the Google Smart Lock app. 


We hope this launch makes it easier for iOS users to take advantage of the protection security keys offer. See more about why this matters and how to use it on our Security blog.

Using an NFC security key on iPhone 

Getting started 



Rollout pace 



Availability 


  • Available to all G Suite and Cloud Identity customers, as well as users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources