Smart Card Utility for Apple Vision Pro

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byTimothy Perfitt
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Overview

To set up smart card authentication in visionOS with the Smart Card Utility Wireless Mobile Reader, the firmware on the mobile reader needs to be updated, and the latest version of Smart Card Utility for iOS must be installed on the iOS device and Apple Vision Pro. PIN pairing is not currently supported on visionOS 1 and visionOS 2. The latest version of Smart Card Utility for iOS and the updated firmware for the Wireless Mobile Reader allow Bluetooth pairing without a PIN.

Requirements

  1. Twocanoes Wireless Mobile Reader.
  2. Apple Vision Pro
  3. Smart Card Utility (version 4.8 build 6448 or later) is available on the Apple App Store.
  4. iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later
  5. Firmware available in the Smart Card Utility app

Install Apple Vision Firmware on Wireless Mobile Reader

The Wireless Mobile Reader’s firmware currently requires a Bluetooth pairing PIN to be entered when pairing with Bluetooth. PIN pairing is not currently supported by visionOS, and we have updated firmware that supports switching between requiring a PIN with the power button. The Smart Card Utility app allows the updated firmware to be installed on the reader. Once the firmware is updated, the reader will continue to support other Apple devices and add support for the Apple Vision Pro.

Install the Firmware

  1. Install Smart Card Utility for iOS (version 4.8 build 6448 or later) from the Apple App Store on the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Open the Smart Card Utility app on the iPhone or iPad and select the Settings icon (Gear) in the lower right corner.
  3. Press and HOLD the Update Firmware button until a sheet appears to select the Apple Vision Firmware. Select the Apple Vision Pro option.
  1. A sheet will appear to select the reader. Make sure the reader is turned on and select it from the list. The firmware will then begin updating.
  1. The reader will turn off. Then when the firmware is updated the reader will turn back on.

Put the reader in the mode to no longer require PIN pairing and reset the reader.

  1. Turn the reader off by pressing and holding the power button until the lights turn off.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds until you see all 4 lights start flashing.
    • Note that after 10 seconds, all four lights turn on. This means the device has been reset but will still use a PIN. Keep holding the power button until you see all 4 lights flashing.
  3. Once you release the power button, the reader is reset and will no longer require a PIN. It is now ready to pair with your Vision Pro.

Using Smart Card Utility on the Apple Vision Pro

  1. Install Smart Card Utility (4.8 build 64448 or later) from the Apple App Store.
  2. Once the app has been installed, open Smart Card Utility and select Add Bluetooth or Other Reader. Make sure the reader is on, and a card is inserted.
  1. Select the reader from the list in Smart Card Utility and you will be prompted to pair. Select Pair to pair the reader with the Apple Vision Pro.
  1. The certificates should now be read in. Select Insert next to the certificate to use for authentication (most likely the PIV authentication certificate).
  1. Then select the back arrow in the upper left to go back to the main screen and tap Test in the bottom middle of the main screen.
  1. Safari will open. Tap the “Twocanoes Test Site” and you should be prompted for your card PIN.

Connect Reader to iPhone or iPad

After updating the firmware, to repair to your iPhone or iPad you will need to delete the Bluetooth pairing and put the reader into pairing mode. 

Go to Apple Settings > Bluetooth, select your Bluetooth device, and then select Forget this Device. Turn the reader off and then press and hold the power button for 5 seconds until the blue LED begins to double flash. Once the reader is in pairing mode, it is ready to be added back to the Smart Card Utility app.

Troubleshooting

Most issues can be resolved by deleting the Bluetooth pairing on all devices and restarting them. For iPhone and iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth and remove the pairing for the reader. For the Wireless Mobile Reader, reset the pairing on the reader by turning it off, and then holding the power button for 10 seconds until all 4 LEDs light up to reset with PIN pairing, or hold for 20 seconds until all 4 LEDs start flashing for PIN-less pairing.

If you have any issues please email support@twocanoes.com or submit a support ticket.

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