Customer Ratings & Reviews

I obsess about digital security - having been frequently targeted by bad actors to take over my accounts. I have owned a YubiKey for years, an older YubiKey 4 with USB A. I gradually stopped using it though as the advent of mobile phones and the need for USB OTG adapters made it cumbersome and falling back to authenticator apps for 2FA/MFA. Fast forward to now and I was excited to test this USB C YubiKey 5 and reconfigure my various accounts with physical key security. In the pack you get the YubiKey. Instructions for use can be found on the YubiCo (<- important it's YubiCo) website. There's also a free app on iOS for key and passcode management. It's a personal thing, but I tend to prefer setting up YubiKey's and physical logins on my laptop vs phone. I do this because, it's easier to review settings on a larger screen, etc. Most major services that have a lot of your personal information can support physical key security - Google, Facebook, Microsoft. Setup is straight forward - the instructions can typically found in either Passkey or Security Key settings of your account. The pro tip (on Google and most services) is if prompted for a Bluetooth device, select Use Other Device and select Physical Key (see screenshots), plugin the YubiKey and you're done! You can now use your physical key to authenticate your account. But what makes me LOVE the YubiKey 5 is the NFC feature - for example, set up Physical Key security on Facebook, you can then re-login to Facebook on your mobile device simply tapping the key to your phone. Brilliant! This means I will use the YubiKey 5 NFC religiously because no more need for less-secure alternatives on mobile apps. The only other thing I can add is based on my several year experience using YubiKey 4, these keys are hard wearing. I kept my YubiKey 4 on my keyring for years and it never broke, wore down, or stopped working. Since there are no moving parts and USB C offers better protection than USB A, I'm confident that the YubiKey 5 will give me many years of flawless use. If you're serious about security, protecting your data, and more you should buy the YubiKey. It's a small price to pay for genuine next level security on all your accounts. It means even if there's a data breach and your passwords or phone number SIM swapped - you have a secure, personal, permanent line of defense. In short. Buy it!

I have five different physical security keys. One that recharges and has a Bluetooth interface + MicroUSB, one that's USB-A & three that are USB-C so I can say I've used them and they're great for securing access to my personal info - given it's supported. I attached a pic of what one of my Google accounts looks like with my 2FA keys. TL;DR for those that need the quick & dirty - but details follow it. Good: Small keychain form factor USB-C interface Passkey support Bad: Exposed USB-C connector Meh: Didn't include a USB-C to A adapter 2FA is a great way to secure your accounts from unauthorized access. Also remember, if you aren't around and your family needs access to those accounts that were secured with this physical device only, it may make things a bit difficult for them if you don't have more than one. Let me help with why these devices are great - and needed in today's digital life. In the beginning ..... security devices like Google Titan and Yubikeys would in essence save both pieces of a cypher puzzle, but only give half of that puzzle piece to every website that supported it, which allowed you to prove who you said you are. Now with passkeys, there's a unique puzzle piece for every website and the Yubikey saves all of them per account on this security key. Passkeys aren't new - but they're being adopted by companies like Google - where your "passkey" can be saved on your device (chrome, password manager, etc) for password-less login next time. My password managers (through a browser plugin) can store passkeys for all of the sites that are offering them today; those passkeys are shared across all my devices where my password manager is installed; only locked password managers (which are annoying as heck) keep that passkey safe and stop outside parties from gaining access to my accounts (Google, Proton, etc). Today, this physical USB-C interfaced Yubikey isn't shared and lives on my keychain and is exposed to anything that's in my pocket. Another one lives on my multi-tool, another vendor's version lives in my work backpack - and so on. Knowing the PIN to each key (if one is supported) isolates how quickly someone could gain access with your device. I do wish a USB-A to C adapter was included, however. With Google, the tech of passkeys have replaced the nomenclature for 2FA security keys. The Yubico documentation is a bit dated as of July 2024 & doesn't necessarily reflect the 'adding a key' process today; I did check because the paperwork I got, didn't necessarily flow like it was explained to. Once I got by my password manager wanting to save my passkey, I saw where the hardware option & was able to set a PIN for my Yubikey and add it to my account. I then proceeded to do this for a handful of other accounts so that my keys were all complete in what was available to unlock them. Using a seemingly unknown Yubico Authenticator App, you can use your PIN again and see what passkeys are stored on the device - that's pretty slick and helps you see where you may be missing they key from, so you can add it to that account. Enter your PIN, press the center & light it up - and your saved cypher key is validated and lets you into the site. As a matter of fact, to get a few screenshots on the process I had to use my new Yubikey to be able to see my saved passkeys. While some accounts do have fallback 2FactorAuthentication methods, there are some that only use the Yubikey. Recommended!

The first line of defense for malicious actors to gain control of your account is you. Unfortunately, even with Cybersecurity training, many people fall victim to phishing messages that can easily compromise a personal account such as a Gmail or work account. *TLDR in last paragraph This YubiKey is a security tool that protects your accounts from being compromised. Think of this key as a key to your house. You are the only one that has that key, so you and only you can go inside your home. Similarly, this YubiKey is a key to your online accounts such as Gmail, Microsoft, or Bitwarden. With a YubiKey in your possession, only you can access your online accounts. Setup is easy for a tech-savvy person, but I can see someone who is not tech-literate have some trouble setting this key up. I would certainly recommend everyone (even the tech-savvy folks) to read the Get Started guide on yubico’s website. There is plenty of useful information that anyone should be able to benefit from. One of the first accounts I set up with YubiKey was my Gmail account. Setup does vary by service provider. Google does make this process easy by adding the security key option within the Security menu in Google Account Manager settings. The setup took less than 5 minutes. Once I had set up the YubiKey, I tested the key out on a different device to make sure everything was working correctly. Yubico recommends having a spare security key in case you lose or damage your current one. If you do not have another one, you can also set up an alternate method of 2FA which some service providers allow. For example, Google allows the use of a Google prompt or the Authenticator app to authenticate into your accounts along with the security key. One of my biggest gripe with this security key is the price. These are more on the pricier end, and I do think these should have been sold for 2 per pack at this price range. Also, I did find that the YubiKey is significantly easier to use on a computer compared to a phone. (I used this with a Windows PC and an Android phone) In one situation, when attempting to log into my Google account on my phone, I could not get the security key option to work at all on my Android phone. Overall, this is a good security device for your online accounts. Setup time can vary depending on how tech-literate you are but luckily yubico’s Get Started guide is an excellent resource to fully understand your YubiKey. Yubico even offers a demo site to test out your security key fully from security key setup to MFA options like Yubico’s OTP. You will need to register for an account but on the bright side, these accounts are temporary as they get deleted after 24 hours. My two biggest gripes are the price and the lack of Android functionality. But when you do get one in your possession, you will feel significantly safer out in the digital world.

Right from the start, I'm not new to these two-factor authentication hardware devices (2FA). I invested in a different brand back in 2018, and I continue to use it to this day. However, Yubico is well-known for its high-end flagship security keys. The YubiKey 5 NFC is compact and well-built. Its key-shaped design makes it convenient to carry on a keychain or in a pocket, ensuring it’s always accessible. I purchased a case from Amazon for added convenience since it's made and built to last. It is durable and built with glass-fiber reinforced plastic with an IP68 rating (water and dust resistance), and crush resistance, what sets it apart from my longtime device is its lack of batteries. It operates without needing charging—just plug and play and touch button. Using this 2FA security solution allows me to have seamless online logins across multiple accounts without needing to remember passwords, rely on text messages (OTP), or wait for approval from other devices—providing peace of mind! Connectivity options are flexible: in addition to USB, the YubiKey 5 NFC incorporates Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This feature enables authentication with NFC-enabled devices like smartphones and tablets by simply tapping the YubiKey against them, very convenient. This YubiKey 5 NFC security key is compatible with a wide range of platforms and services across desktop and mobile devices, supporting major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux, as well as popular services like Facebook and others. Its reliability and seamless integration are greatly appreciated. Upon unpacking and taking it out of the box, I immediately connected to my computer and updated my security settings on all my Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo, AOL, and Discord accounts with two-factor authentication. The process was straightforward. For my Apple account, setting up two-factor authentication required two authentication keys. So, I used my YubiKey 5 NFC and my old key. It comes with companion software and an app on Windows, Mac, IOS, and Android to manage the key. While this key is my preferred method for logging into online accounts, I printed and saved recovery codes as a backup in case I lost the key. I feel much more secure logging into any device other than my one, as I no longer need to enter my credentials. I highly recommend it for those seeking a reliable and versatile security key to enhance their online security and embrace passwordless authentication.

This security key is great! It does what it says it does and is an additional 2FA layer to keep your accounts secure. Pros: -Easy to use -Fast access -Small -NFC Cons: -Still lots of websites that don’t support -Not many sites support NFC -Each site needs setup Setup: I was surprised how simple the packaging is. There is no guide, just the key inside. To learn how to set up the device, you will have to visit their website. I recommend you download the Yubikey manager so you can set up a PIN for FIDO2 sites. You can also use that software to set up OTP and PIV if needed as well as control interfaces if you want to disable certain types of authentication. The Yubikey site has a list of websites which support the device. Each website you might intend to use this with has a different setup method usually in the security portion of their site. If you have password software that supports passkeys such as 1Password, it might be a little confusing since it will usually try to use a passkey before allowing you to select the security key. I suggest you cancel and select “another method” in most cases to select the security key. Once you register the security key, it works great! Use: I was very impressed with how quick it works. Once inserted in your device, any site calling upon the key will ask you to tap the device and enter a PIN (if set up). The response feels instant. What I found very cool is the NFC feature. Setting this up is also dependent on various sites but a good example is the ID.me site. With this site, you will download the ID.me authenticator app to your phone, it will prompt you to tap your Yubikey, which does not need to be inserted to USB, with your phone's NFC. This will give you access to the site. I did not find many sites that support this feature but it is nice to have.

I started carrying this Yubikey 5C NFC as my go to two factor key connecting it via USB C on my phone or laptop and tapping for NFC on Android devices and it has made logging into email banking and work apps feel way more secure without the annoyance of SMS codes that can get intercepted. The tiny metal build feels tough enough for daily pocket carry no plastic that snaps or batteries to worry about and it works across all my gear from MacBook to iPhone with a quick plug or tap that registers instantly every time. Setup took minutes through the Yubi app to register with services like Google Microsoft and password managers and now I barely think about it just pop it in or tap and Im authenticated which beats typing codes or approving push notifications any day. Its versatile for both desktop and mobile life supports FIDO standards so its future proof and for the peace of mind it gives me knowing my important stuff is actually protected from phishing or account takeovers it delivers huge value in such a small reliable package.

Yubikeys allow the best security available for authentication in 2025. Once set up, they're easy to use, durable, and do the job well. I personally keep my primary Yubikey with my main keychain, and my backup lives with my work token in my backpack. This way they're always available. They say you should keep the backup somewhere safe, but if you're like me, you'll probably lose it in that "safe" place. I need to be able to use it on a daily basis to know where it is. These new firmware 5.7 keys also allow up to 100 passkeys to be stored in each Yubikey, so that's a lot better than the previous version where there was a limit of only 25. Until passkeys themselves see greater adoption, I think 100 is good enough for your most used accounts that support either passkey authentication, or 2FA using Yubico's Authenticator app. I'm giving it 3 stars for ease of use because security keys like these have fragmented adoption, and many companies vary in their implementation. Sometimes, even different web browsers will offer a different experience with using these keys. Lastly, the whole concept of passkeys (a digital key pair between server and client) and security keys (hardware keys like the Yubikey) is somewhat convoluted, and unless you're willing to learn how they work and how they fit into your life, it can be a hassle. But once you take some time to read articles on Yubico's website, watch a few videos on the matter, and get into the routine of using these keys, the inconvenience is pretty minimal for a major security improvement. Tip 1: "passkeys" are issued by the service you're authenticating with (Google, Amazon, Bitwarden, etc) and they can be stored either digitally using password managers (wallets) or physically using "security keys" like Yubikeys. Tip 2: the Yubikey 5 NFC (and the 5C) both are able to connect either by USB or NFC to your computer/phone. If you're deciding between going with the normal A connector vs the C, go with the one that uses the port you use the least. That way, the key won't occupy a port that you're often using to either charge your laptop, or have other devices connected to them. Phones don't have USB-A connectors, but they do have NFC so that shouldn't be a factor if you're looking to get the Yubikey 5 NFC. Otherwise, get the 5C version.

Every day I get a new notice that some system containing my personal information has been hacked. Always looking for new ways to secure my online accounts, I came across the YubiKey 5C NFC from Yubico. The 5C NFC is a USB-C security key with an NFC chip inside for wireless communication with your mobile device. The hardware and security protocols onboard are impressive. As a USB-C security key in Windows, the 5C NFC worked very well and was extremely simple to operate. On the iPhones I evaluated with the 5C NFC, everything went well. But I had compatibility problems getting the key to work over NFC on my Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 6 phones. I obviously cannot say if my problems would be a problem for every Android user, but I never could get the NFC features to work properly on my Android devices. SETUP: Inside the package you get the small key itself and on the back of the package you see instructions to go to yubico.com/start for assistance with setting the key up with various accounts such as Microsoft and Google. Many apps will require a PIN. On PC, it is a good idea to download the YubiKey Manager Windows application from Yubico’s website and the Yubico Authenticator via the Microsoft Store. EXPERIENCE: Setting keys up via PC was easy and straightforward. The trick is finding the settings for each account where you can activate an external security key to protect the account. Usually, that setting was listed under security or related to 2FA. Many accounts require a preset PIN in my experience. The application will usually tell you when you need to press the button on the key and the key lights up. The key is small. It is about as thin as a USB-C slot. It fits easily in my pocket on a keychain. After registering the key on PC, I was able to use the key over NFC on iPhones. But I could not get it to work over NFC on Android. Occasionally, some accounts would work over USB-C on Android, but that was spotty. Microsoft on Android would work over USB-C, but Amazon would not. On the one hand, I cannot fault the device as this is a solid key. I know the NFC chip is communicating with my phones as it initially triggered demo mode and could communicate with the Yubico Authenticator app without difficulty. The key works on iPhones and my Windows 11 based PCs very well. But I primarily use an Android device. If you are only using this from a PC with a USB-C port, the experience is great. My Android based difficulties make this a hard device to rate. I can say it worked on the Apple phones I tested via NFC, and it works well on my Windows 11 PCs. I hope Samsung, Google, and others in the Android space embrace this tech and that solutions roll out in the near future. If you are using PCs and iPhones, this is a 5/5 and easy to recommend. If you are using Windows PCs and Androids, you may be better off with one of Yubico’s USB only solutions. On my Android devices, the experience is frustrating. I love the USB-C options for Windows, but the device was near useless on my Android phones. 3/5

The YubiKey 5C NFC is a tiny device that can up your security game. As more and more services and sites are allowing passkeys, the YubiKey can play a bigger role. Yubico highly recommends having two keys, a primary and a backup, and registering them both with each account. This helps insure you don’t get locked out of your account. I only have one key, though. So, all of my testing was with just one Yubico key. I wasn’t too worried about this since I already had soft passkeys on my more important logins. I used the soft passkeys as my backup during testing. The YubiKey 5C NFC packaging refers you to the Start page on the Yubico website. The start page includes video instructions and links to many compatible sites. The first thing I set up was my Gmail account. I just followed the instructions and it was pretty straight forward. The only issue I ran into was that I couldn’t get it to work with NFC on my Galaxy phone. I honestly think the phone case is the problem. That case impedes wireless charging too…. My Microsoft account was as easy to set up as Google. However, Apple states that you must have at least two keys, since I only have one, I decided not to try it on my iPad just yet. I have to admit that I’m not certain about relying on the Yubico key as a primary passkey. I get that physical possession of the Yubico key likely makes it more secure than the software-based keys. But I tend to be a bit lazy. My password vault also stores soft passkeys. It generates authentication codes, too. This added to the device-based passkeys makes it hard to justify carrying around the Yubico key. Instead, I am going to just make the Yubico key a backup mechanism and go back to using the soft passkeys my primary.

I use authenticator apps and Passkeys wherever I can to secure my online accounts and the YubiKey 5C NFC works great for me. It’s a nice compact little key that easily fits in my pocket and it's easier to use than an Authenticator app or approving via a 2nd device. If you have any especially sensitive online accounts that support security keys this is a great option. The packaging is very simple and includes just the key itself. It’s about the size of a USB flash drive and it’s very slim. It was easy to slip on my keychain, but in general I just kept it in my small jeans pocket. There’s no setup or software for the key itself and how difficult it is to set up depends on the services you’re using, but I had no difficulty with my Microsoft and Google accounts. My Apple account on the other hand required that I register 2 keys, so I will have to go get another one eventually. Yubico recommends having 2 keys so one can be stored safely away in case the other one gets lost - I do wish this came in a 2-pack for that reason. Using the key to login to my MS and Google accounts was super easy and it especially made it a lot more convenient for a new PC I was setting up not having to go to my phone to look up an authenticator code or approve a login. I plan on using it for my work login as well. It can be used via USB or the NFC chip and is unlocked via a pincode you assign. There are lots of methods for 2FA including text messages (not secure!), authenticator apps, and more recently Passkeys. Passkeys function in a similar way to the YubiKey in that your device essentially becomes a key in itself and I think that’s the future a lot of things are moving towards, but there is a nice peace of mind knowing you have a literal key to your most sensitive accounts you can store somewhere that’s not your phone or your PC.

It is small but works great! I gave 5 stars because it does exactly what I wanted - to set up another passkey that I can have as a third option for gaining access to everything! I will tell you that using Windows Home or Pro will NOT allow you to set it up as a device to unlock your device such as a laptop. When setting it up, I thought that if I created the passkey, it would act as a fingerprint reader and allow me to lock the laptop out until the Yubikey was inserted. That is not the case! Do buy (2) at a time and create a backup - which means adding all of your passwords twice! It takes a lot of effort and patience to complete the task, but it works flawlessly once it is done!

It is very good and simple (and not expensive) way to elevate security to my digital assets. I quickly set up it as MFA for my accounts on Google, Microsoft and Proton. It works also with BitWarden and many web services (I set up so far ID.me and Login.gov). Gradually I will add it to my other accounts. Unfortunately most of the banks are not supporting hardware key yet. But it is good to have secured email account - this makes two factor stronger. So far no problems and every day I learn new way to use it - passkeys are great way to replace passwords with Yubikey!

Great little security device! Integrates with pretty much everything! Very helpful that it works with smart phones as well!

This is the best for 2FA, you need 2, one for backup. I have used them since 2018. Now there several different types that make them even more useful.

I liked this product. It's very straight-forward to use and adds an extra layer of security for your online profiles.

The Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC is a versatile security key offering strong two-factor authentication (2FA) with USB-C and NFC support. It's durable, easy to use, and compatible with major platforms like Google, Microsoft, and LastPass. Its robust encryption enhances security, making it ideal for professionals and privacy-conscious users.

Easy to use and recommended by cyber security experts. If an account or website doesn't support security keys (many don't), this model gives you the added option of using it in conjunction with the Yubico authenticator app to receive security codes. This allows you to secure accounts with this security key even if they don't support physical security keys.

The YubiKey 5C NFC is an exceptional security key, offering robust two-factor, multi-factor, and passwordless authentication. Its dual interface—USB-C and NFC—ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. The build quality is stellar, with a durable, water-resistant design that withstands daily wear and tear. Setting it up is straightforward, supported by extensive documentation. It works seamlessly with major platforms like Google, Microsoft, and password managers like 1Password. NFC functionality adds convenience for mobile device use, enhancing flexibility without sacrificing security. While its price may be higher than basic 2FA options, the enhanced security, ease of use, and broad compatibility make it a worthwhile investment for personal and professional use.

I bought this product to make life easier when logging into my accounts with my computer. I am glad I did. I love the extra security. I mostly use it for my outlook account along with banking. I did only buy one and plan on buying a second for a backup in case something happens.

Simple instructions. Took minutes to create several "physical keys.". Great product!