When you have two different hardware FIDO security keys inserted into your Mac at the same time (for example, a YubiKey and a Swissbit iShield), Chrome on macOS may display the error message “Try a different security key.” Despite this error, clicking the Try Again button allows the last inserted security key to work as intended.
Cause
Having multiple Security Keys plugged into your Mac simultaneously can sometimes cause Chrome to get confused about which key to use for authentication.
Solution
Keep only one FIDO security key plugged in at a time. Remove any additional security keys from your computer before attempting to authenticate. This ensures that the only available security key will always be used without causing conflicts.
Additional Notes
Tests on different keys (e.g., Feitian MultiPass, Authenton) on a local Windows 11 environment showed no issue when multiple keys were inserted. Either key could be used for authentication without problems.
In an RDP environment, Windows might automatically pick one of the inserted keys (for example, the one protected by a PIN), making it impossible to use a different inserted key unless you remove the pinned key first.
The important takeaway is to always have only one FIDO security key plugged in at a time to avoid potential issues.
Helpful Links
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article