iOS 16.3 supports protecting your Apple ID with physical security keys

Two-factor Apple ID authentication using security keys

First, Apple announced that starting in 2023, users will be able to use hardware security keys to enhance their Apple ID and iCloud account protection. This means you'll have a physical hardware device that you can set up as a second layer of two-factor authentication for your account.

Apple told 9to5Mac that this security key system is integrated with its device-to-device transfer process. So once you've authenticated your iPhone with your security key, you don't need to authenticate your new iPhone again as long as you use the device-to-device setup transfer process when setting up your new iPhone.

On Wednesday, Apple released the first beta version of iOS 16.3 for developers. While we're still finding out everything new in the update, we can already confirm that iOS 16.3 supports physical security keys for Apple IDs.

It’s worth noting that Apple doesn’t make hardware security keys itself. Instead, it will leverage third-party products. The company is working with the FIDO Alliance to ensure cross-platform compatibility with open standards.

iCloud Advanced Data Protection

Currently, only a few types of data stored in iCloud (such as health data and passwords) are end-to-end encrypted. But with Advanced Data Protection, users can choose to encrypt almost everything stored in iCloud, from photos, notes, and voice memos to entire device backups.

With standard iCloud protection, data is synced with keys, allowing Apple to access that data when users need it. But with Advanced Data Protection, Apple will no longer store this key in iCloud. Instead, it will be stored exclusively on the user's device. If Apple's servers end up being compromised, that means it will be more difficult for third parties to access this data.

This option was rolled out to US users with iOS 16.2 and is now available to the public. Apple says it will expand to more countries in 2023, when security key support for signing in to Apple ID will also be available.

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