
However, not all apps and sites support FIDO2 iOS and Android standards as the only authentication method at the time this is published. IT pros - or users - will have to set any accounts they wish to use this functionality with to either accept hardware keys as the default secondary authentication through desktops and laptops or as the only authentication method. This can happen either via USB, near-field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth Low Energy. The devices use hardware security keys to authenticate apps and websites. The method to use and deploy the FIDO2 iOS and Android standards generally remains the same compared to the original FIDO standards. have FIDO2 support, with Safari the latest one to get it officially in late 2019. All the major mobile browsers - Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox, etc. Apple, however, took its time and didn't join the FIDO Alliance until February 2020. While FIDO2 iOS and Android support both exist today, Android was first to certify support for FIDO2 in early 2019. Using FIDO2 on iOS and Android mobile devices The private key remains either on the mobile device or hardware key itself. Initially, FIDO provided the ability to employ multi-factor authentication, but with the CTAP2 component of FIDO2, organizations can now offer a passwordless experience to their users and connect with external authenticators and security keys, such as the Yubico YubiKey.įIDO2 allows IT to use public cryptography - both public and private keys - over networks, but only send the public key to the authenticator server.


The WebAuthn API enables browsers and applications to support FIDO, while CTAP allows for universal two-factor devices to interact with the browsers and apps. FIDO2, the latest version, became generally available in 2018.įIDO2 consists of two components: WebAuthn, which is the API, and Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). The FIDO Alliance, an association comprised of vendors such as Nok Nok Labs, Microsoft and many others, developed the FIDO standard in 2014. Instead, these standards allow the use of stronger factors such as biometrics and hardware security keys.

In most cases, users need a password alongside their username for various accounts, but FIDO's standards remove the need to use a password in many day-to-day instances. With more vendors adopting the FIDO2 iOS and Android standards, IT professionals should understand what FIDO is and how its standard works on mobile devices. Organizations that adopt the Fast Identity Online 2 (FIDO2) standard will allow users to rely on passwordless authentication for most day-to-day interactions with accounts or increase the level of security with a second authentication factor.
