Short answer: A Windows computer without a built-in reader needs an external one to sign in with the IDEX card – NFC for the contactless card, a contact smartcard reader for the contact card. Any reader that includes the standard Windows CCID driver is a candidate. The readers below have been verified by IDEX on Windows, and other readers may work equally well.
Readers verified by IDEX
- HID OMNIKEY 5x2x – these include dual-interface desktop readers for contact and contactless cards. Uses the CCID driver built into Windows, so no additional software is normally required.
- HID OMNIKEY Plug / SE Plug – compact USB-C reader. The standard Plug supports MIFARE, DESFire and FIDO2; the SE Plug additionally supports HID credential technologies including Seos. If your organisation does not use HID credentials, the standard Plug should be considered.
- ACS ACR1555U – portable reader with USB and Bluetooth. Over USB it works with the standard Windows CCID driver; over Bluetooth it requires the ACS BLE PC/SC driver, available from the ACS website. As a battery-powered mobile reader, it suits demonstrations and travel better than a permanent desk setup.
If your reader is not listed
This list is not exhaustive. A reader that is not listed may well be compatible, and its absence does not mean it is unsupported.
Checking that the card and reader work
If the card is not recognised, first confirm that the card and reader work together independently of your organisation's systems: open a public WebAuthn test site, place the card on the reader and follow the registration prompt. See: Test your card's FIDO2 function.
- Recognised on the test site, but not at your workplace sign-in – the card and reader are working. The cause is most likely in your organisation's identity or sign-in configuration. Contact your IT department.
- Not recognised on the test site either – try one of the readers listed above. This establishes whether the problem is specific to your reader.
Third-party hardware
IDEX does not provide technical support for third-party reader hardware. The readers listed here are reference examples. For support with a reader itself, contact the reader manufacturer.
If the problem persists
Contact support and include the reader make and model, the Windows version, the browser and version, whether the card was recognised on a public test site, and the exact error message or a screenshot of the sign-in prompt. See: Contact support: what to include.