YubiKey: Mac setup instructions for multifactor authentication

Note: A Microsoft passkey is the designated MFA method for faculty, staff, and students. 

The YubiKey security key is an alternative MFA method for those who are unable to use passkey for multifactor authentication, such as those without the required phone OS or Bluetooth. After registration, your YubiKey can be used with multiple devices to log into university services. It is recommended that you purchase a second YubiKey as a backup in case your YubiKey is lost or damaged. 

Note: These instructions are for Mac computers. Instructions for Windows setup, as well as other YubiKey information, can be found in our YubiKey security key for multifactor authentication article. 

Step 1: Request a YubiKey

If you are faculty, staff, or a student worker only, use the YubiKey Request form to request a YubiKey.

Step 2: Register the YubiKey 

Note: If the registration process times out, restart the registration process at “click +Add sign-in method”. Some steps may be skipped if you had already completed them before the time-out.

1. Go to: account.uark.edu
    
2. Under My Account, select Security Info.
   
   
    
3. On the Security Info page, click +Add sign-in method.
   
   
    
4. Add a sign-in method by selecting the Passkey option from the list.
   
   
    
5. Click Next.
   
   
    
6. When prompted to sign in, click Other Options.
   
   
    
7. Click Security Key to choose how you would like to sign in.
   
   
    
8. You will be prompted to touch your security key. Tap the circle on your YubiKey.
   
   
    
9. Create a new PIN; type the PIN in the New PIN field.
   IMPORTANT: Don't share your PIN or choose an easy-to-guess number. Your PIN protects access to your device, passkeys, and other sensitive information, so it should be safeguarded just as carefully as a password.
   
   
10. Confirm your PIN; type your new PIN again in the New PIN field.
    
    
     
11. Touch the YubiKey to finish the setup.

Note: If you have any issues at this step, navigate to the Security Info page and select "Sign out everywhere" at the bottom. Then, continue with the instructions.

Step 3: Confirm the YubiKey

Before enrolling in the required group, you must make sure that the YubiKey was successfully added. This is important to keep you from getting locked out. 

1.  Go to the My Account page and sign in with your new YubiKey. 

2. Under My Account, select the Security Info tab. This will show you a list of the sign-in methods that you have set up. Make sure your YubiKey was added by looking for: "Passkey (Device Bound) with the name you assigned your YubiKey beside it. If you do not see this option, the YubiKey was not added correctly. Return to Step 2 to try adding the YubiKey again.
   
   View the detailed guide below for a step-by-step demonstration on confirming your YubiKey:

Step 4: Enroll in MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator group

After setting up and confirming the YubiKey, you will need to self-enroll in the Required Passkey group. 

ATTENTION: Do not complete this part if you are a student who uses Walton Virtual Labs, or you will be unable to log in. 

1. After confirming that the YubiKey is in your list, select My Access in the left navigation pane.

2. Under My Access in the left navigation, Select Access Packages.
   
   
    
3. Select View All.
   
   
    
4. Choose Request in the "MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" row.
   
   
    
5. Select Continue when the window opens.
   
   
    
6. Before enrolling in this group, answer the questions in the Additional Questions window:
   1. Select Yes or No to answer, "Have you registered a Microsoft passkey in Microsoft Authenticator or registered a YubiKey?"
   2. Select Yes or No to answer, "For Windows users, have you set up Windows Hello for Business?"
   3. You can leave the Business Justification field blank.
   4. Click the Submit Request button. 
      
      

A green message in the upper-left corner confirms your request was submitted. This will not take long to process.

You will receive an email to your UARK email account from Microsoft Security with the subject line, "You now have access to MFA with Passkey in Microsoft Authenticator" to let you know that you have successfully enrolled in the required security group. All steps are complete, and you are ready to use your YubiKey to access university resources. 

Using the YubiKey

Sign-in prompt windows might be different or in a different order than shown here. The prompts that you are given could vary depending on service being logged into. 

When multifactor authentication is required for a login, the YubiKey must be plugged into the computer or other device.

1. Select Sign-in options.
   
   
    
2. Select Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key.
   
   
    
3. You will be prompted to Choose a passkey. Select Security Key.
   
   
    
4. You will be prompted enter your security key PIN. Enter the PIN that you created during YubiKey registration in the Security Key PIN field, and click OK.
   
   
    
5. When prompted to Touch your security key, tap the YubiKey that is plugged into your device.
   
   

After touching the YubiKey, you will be authenticated and logged into the system.

Troubleshooting NFC with YubiKeys and Security Keys