Overwriting (reprogramming) an existing YubiKey (2024)

There are several situations where the existing settings of a YubiKey are no longer useful, and you want to reprogram it:

  • The key was purchased from Yubico and is set up to use their online service, but you want to use it for AuthLite instead

  • The key's former user is gone, or has changed their own account back to use a password-only logon

You can overwrite an already-programmed YubiKey in any of the normal AuthLite programming interfaces. You will see an additional dialog warning you that the old information on the key will be destroyed (Except in the bulk Key Programmer, which overwrites key data without warning).

Overwriting (reprogramming) an existing YubiKey (2024)

FAQs

Overwriting (reprogramming) an existing YubiKey? ›

You can overwrite an already-programmed YubiKey in any of the normal AuthLite programming interfaces. You will see an additional dialog warning you that the old information on the key will be destroyed (Except in the bulk Key Programmer, which overwrites key data without warning).

Can you overwrite a YubiKey? ›

To create or overwrite a YubiKey slot's configuration: Start the YubiKey Personalization Tool. Insert the YubiKey into a USB port. Wait for the Personalization Tool to recognize the YubiKey.

How do I delete YubiKey configuration? ›

Delete YubiKey
  1. Access YubiKey management. Click “YubiKey management” in the menu on the left side of the screen.
  2. Delete YubiKey. Click the “Delete” button on the right side of the YubiKey in the YubiKey list. Click “o*k” on the confirmation message. ・Removing the YubiKey will also unassign members and PCs.

Can a YubiKey be reprogrammed? ›

You can overwrite an already-programmed YubiKey in any of the normal AuthLite programming interfaces. You will see an additional dialog warning you that the old information on the key will be destroyed (Except in the bulk Key Programmer, which overwrites key data without warning).

Can you reformat a YubiKey? ›

Unplug the YubiKey once and then plug it back in via the USB port. Touch the YubiKey on the sensor (golden area) twice within 10 seconds to confirm the reset. The YubiKey has been successfully reset. Afterwards, if necessary, you can set a new PIN again using the Security Key PIN function.

How do I reconfigure my YubiKey? ›

Nonetheless, if you decide to reset, here's what needs to be done:
  1. "Reboot" the YubiKey by removing and re-inserting. Obtain a connection to the YubiKey once it has been reinserted. ...
  2. Within a time limit from the reboot (about 5 seconds), complete the reset command: Send the ResetCommand.

Can you remove a YubiKey? ›

How can I safely remove my YubiKey? The YubiKey identifies as a USB keyboard to your PC, and does not need to be ejected when removed – you can just pull it out!

How do I delete a credential from a YubiKey? ›

Type ykman.exe fido credentials list and press Enter and your PIN to get a list of the credentials that are stored at your YubiKey. If you know the credential ID, that you want to delete, type ykman.exe fido credentials delete [credential id] and press Enter, followed by the PIN.

Can I reuse an old YubiKey? ›

If a user finds a lost YubiKey, don't reuse it. Discard it and configure a new YubiKey for the user. For auditing purposes, you can't delete a YubiKey once assigned to a user. Even if you revoke or reassign it, it still appears in the YubiKey Report.

How many times can a YubiKey be used? ›

OATH-TOTP - the YubiKey 5's OATH application can hold up to 32 OATH-TOTP credentials (AKA authenticator codes). OTP - this application can hold two credentials, can be registered with an unlimited number of services.

What is the lifespan of a YubiKey? ›

A Yubikey will essentially last forever, and if you stay clear of the insanity that is Passkeys its Webauthn element can support an infinite number of websites. Portability: I have a smartphone, a work laptop, a home laptop, and a home desktop. My Yubikey has USB and NFC, so it can trivially be used with all of them.

Can you spoof a YubiKey? ›

If the counters are less than the previously used values the OTP is rejected. Copying an OTP will not allow another user to spoof a YubiKey — the counter value will allow the validation server to know which OTPs have already been used. The YubiKey OTP output is provided in the Modhex character set.

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