---
title: Pairing your YubiKey
description: "Register or 'pair' your YubiKey hardware token, so you can use it to authenticate with PingID."
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_setting_up_yubikey
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_setting_up_yubikey.html
revdate: August 3, 2023
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  next-steps: Next steps
---

# Pairing your YubiKey

Register or 'pair' your YubiKey hardware token, so you can use it to authenticate with PingID.

## Before you begin

If you are using a virtual machine (VM) to connect to your accessing device, and you need to pair your YubiKey, configure your VM to recognize a USB device.

## About this task

|   |                                                                                                                                                    |
| - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | After you have paired your device and authenticated successfully, you can also use it to authenticate for Windows login or Mac login, if required. |

## Steps

1. Sign on to your account or app, and when you see the registration window, click **Start**.

   ![A screen capture of the Registration window showing the Start button.](_images/gak1668088907565.png)

   You'll see the **Add a New Device** window, showing the YubiKey icon.

   ![A screen capture of the Add New Device window showing device options available for you to add.](_images/lcz1668089066706.png)

2. In the **Add a New Device** window, click **YubiKey**.

   ### Result:

   You are prompted to authenticate with your YubiKey.

   ![A screen capture of the Yubikey window prompting you to insert your Yubikey to pair it.](_images/egj1634047141255.png)

3. Insert the YubiKey into your computer USB port, make sure the **Alternative Authentication** window is the active window on your machine, and then tap the YubiKey.

### Result:

\`\`

A one-time passcode (OTP) automatically generates and enters into the **YubiKey Setup** window. **Verify** is selected automatically, and a green check mark appears, indicating the pairing request is successful. You are automatically signed on to your account or app.

## Next steps

The next time you sign on to your account or application, you'll be able to use your YubiKey to authenticate. For more information, see [Authenticating with PingID using a YubiKey](pid_ug_auth_using_a_yubikey_intro.html).