Lost $80 on a two-factor authentication key that wasn't compatible with my phone

I bought a popular hardware security key from a big electronics store last month without checking if it worked with my older iPhone SE. It turned out the key needed a USB-C connection and my phone still uses Lightning, so I couldn't even set it up. Has anyone else run into this compatibility issue with hardware keys and had to return one?

3 comments

3 Comments

calebc406d agoTop Commenter

Honestly it sounds like an honest mistake but $80 isn't exactly life changing money. Could've just checked the box before buying or asked someone at the store. These keys come with different connectors all the time, it's not exactly a hidden secret. Just return it and get one that works, no big deal.

jakeb815d ago

Bought a power tool battery once. Same thing. Looked right but the connector was off by a few millimeters. Felt dumb standing in the aisle at Home Depot. But I just walked back in and swapped it out. Took five minutes. Guy at customer service didn't even ask questions. Lesson learned though. Now I always pop the package open and physically check the connector before I buy. Saves me the headache.

emeryj665d ago

Yeah exactly, and @jakeb81 got it right too. Popping the package open to check the connector takes two seconds and saves you a trip back to the store. It's not some big hidden secret, it's just common sense.