Guard your Apple ID with your life thanks to this handy iPhone feature

Apple has recently added a useful new feature, which protects your Apple ID even better. In iOS 16.3, the tech company has added Advance Data Protection to the iPhone, making it possible to link a physical key to your Apple ID.

Such a physical key is, as it were, an extra layer of security, just like an authentication or SMS code. This two-step verification method takes it a step further, as you need some kind of USB stick to sign in to your Apple ID. So without that you have a problem. Handy to prevent curious snoopers, but you should always have it with you.

Protect Apple ID with physical security key

One of the most famous physical security keys is from Yubico. They offer models with USB-C, Lightning and even with NFC. For example, you can use the YubiKey 5C NFC on your iPhone, but also on your MacBook via USB-C. Your Apple ID and everything around it are therefore in safe hands on both devices.

It’s helpful to know that your iPhone will prompt you for two physical keys, with one serving as a backup. That way you won’t be in trouble immediately if you lose one. However, the costs quickly add up. For one physical security key you will soon lose about fifty euros.

This is how you set it up on the iPhone

With the arrival of iOS 16.3 it is possible to add a physical key to your Apple account for optimal protection of your Apple ID. Open your iPhone’s settings and tap on your avatar. Then tap Password and security. Scroll down and tap Add security keys.

Then follow the steps on the screen. You will then see an overview of devices that are linked to your Apple ID. If necessary, choose to log out of devices that you no longer use. In addition, don’t forget to protect other apps that enable two-step verification with a physical key, such as Twitter, Google, Facebook, and more.