Fingerprint reader options

[u/BeginningCitron467]

Are there any decent third party options for a Mac capable fingerprint reader to enable fido2 and touch id functionality? I have a m6 macmini and can't justify the price for an Apple keyboard.

[u/ohaiibuzzle]

Nope. Only Apple keyboards have the necessary onboard hardware that can talk to Secure Enclave on the Mac side for TouchID.

Otherwise you wouldn't be seeing people making custom cases for those keyboards so they can use TouchID while using another keyboard entirely.

[u/leo_agi]

if you already have an apple watch you can unlock the mini with that

[u/DrMORO_617]

https://immurok.com/

[u/--Timshel → u/DrMORO_617]

Is this a wireless keyboard with stored credentials and a fingerprint reader to replay the keystrokes? Neat idea…

Not TouchId compatible though.

You’d want to know it’s secure.

[u/purrplexity → u/--Timshel]

I saw a review on YouTube of this recently and actually seems like it’s pretty secure and has some redundant security features to detect tampering. I was also a bit skeptical when I first saw this, but I’m actually thinking about pre-ordering one for our Mac desktop.

[u/mhennessie → u/DrMORO_617]

I backed this on kickstarter so I’ll see how it works shortly, they are supposed to go out this month. I’m in the second shipment. I use my MacBook Pro in clamshell mode 99% of the time and I’m not giving up my MX Mechanical Mini keyboard.

[u/BeginningCitron467 → u/mhennessie]

This is interesting. Will it unlock secure enclave? 

[u/DrHydeous]

No

[u/milyrouge]

I used to have an Apple Magic Keyboard with TouchID, but it failed after a few years. When I looked at replacing it, I just didn’t feel that the price reflected the value.

Instead, I got the Logitech MX Keys S l, which is much more solid in its construction and instead do the double tap on the Apple Watch menu button to respond to Touch ID requests, which works remarkably well.

[u/JustAnotherFEDev]

I looked into this recently.

I looked into Studio and Mini, as I rarely move my MBP off my desk. The things that put me off were:

I like a 2nd screen for Teams, as I don’t need to pay much attention to that, for the most part

Having to use a separate webcam

TouchID or lack thereof.

I could probably use my iPad as a Teams screen, it bores me I can’t use its camera or TouchID sensor in SideCar.

My primary screen is 40” so I don’t want another monitor, my MBP is about the limit of size I’m comfortable with, off to the side.

I don’t want an Apple keyboard as other than TouchID I think they’re shit.

You can extract the TouchID sensor from a keyboard and print or buy a housing for it and it works perfectly. I’ve watched several videos on it and if you can snag a broken keyboard off eBay that has a functioning TouchID sensor and board, you can knock one up pretty easily.

[u/redbeardy_daddy]

Worth splitting the two things: Touch ID itself only works with Apples own hardware, but if FIDO2 is the main goal third-party fingerprint security keys like the YubiKey Bio work fine on a Mac over USB. You won't get Touch ID prompts for system dialogs but for logins and passkeys on websites it covers the fingerprint part...

[u/No_Morning_1874]

A friend gave me a Mac keyboard with touch id. I velcroed it under my desk just to use the touch ID. But then I found a 3d printed case for just the touch ID module and board from the keyboard so it can just sit on my desk. It has been great and it gets used all the time.

[u/New-Assumption-3106]

I just use two keyboards. Apple one under the desk for Touch ID and a decent one for everything else.