Using Hideez Key 4 with macOS and Linux via USB

Hideez Key 4 supports passwordless authentication standards developed by the FIDO Alliance: FIDO U2F and FIDO2. You can connect Hideez Key to any devices that support FIDO security keys, including PCs on MacOS (version macOS 11 Big Sur+), Windows 10/11, as well as mobile devices with Android (version 7.0+) or iOS (version 13.3+).

Services supporting these standards include Google, Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, and others. If you are using macOS or Linux, you can manage Hideez Key using tools integrated into the latest Chromium-based browsers, such as Google Chrome (starting from v80).

Firmware Update for Hideez Key on MacOS and Linux

To update the firmware on your Hideez Key to the latest version, follow these steps:

For macOS:

1. Open the Hideez Firmware Update web service.

2. Connect your Hideez Key to your computer using a USB Type-C port.

3. Select "Update over USB."

For Linux create a file named "/etc/udev/rules.d/10-hideez.rules" and add the following line to the file:

KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1915", MODE="0666"

1. Select your Hideez Key in the window that appears and click "Connect."

1. Choose "Use currently available version for your device: 4.3.XX" and click "Start update."

In some cases, you may need to install a specific firmware version. To do this, select "Load firmware from file." Wait for the firmware installation to complete.

1. Wait for the firmware installation to complete.

After the firmware is installed, you can proceed with the basic settings for the key on MacOS and Linux:

• Key activation

• Setting up a PIN code

• Setting up a fingerprint

• Resetting the Hideez Key

Activation and Management of Hideez Key on MacOS and Linux

Here are the instructions for joining and activating Hideez Key:

1. Install a Chromium-based browser on your macOS or Linux computer, such as Google Chrome (starting from v80).
2. To access the security key management interface, go to "Settings."

1. Click on "Privacy and Security" and select "Security."

1. Click on the option "Manage Security Keys."

1. Connect Hideez Key to your computer via USB and choose the necessary action.

Activate the Key and create a PIN code

To create a PIN code for your Hideez Key, click on "Create a PIN." Follow the on-screen instructions, press the button on the Hideez Key when prompted, and enter and save the PIN code.

After pressing the "Save" button, your Hideez Key will be protected with the PIN code you specified. Please note that this PIN code will be required for all operations described in this article, except for resetting the key. After three incorrect attempts to enter the PIN code, the system will prompt you to disconnect and reconnect the key. If subsequent attempts with the PIN code are also unsuccessful, the key needs to be reset (all keys will be erased) to use it again.

You can also change the PIN code after its initial setup.

Enter the current PIN, and new PIN, and confirm the PIN code. After completing these steps, the PIN code for your Hideez Key will be updated.

Resetting your security key

To reset your security key, you can use this option. For this operation, there is no need to enter the PIN code but be aware that all account data and website associations stored on the device will be erased.