Smart Card Utility Mobile Reader Quick Start Guide

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Reader Setup

In order to get up and running to authenticate to a website, there is some setup that needs to be done.

Verify iOS Version

Verify that the Smart Card Utility version is supported on your device and check the version requirements.

Installing Root and/or Intermediate Certificates

Many Department of Defense websites require specific Root and Intermediate certificates to be installed for US Government and Military Personnel use. We have created a profile to make this easy to install. To install the certificates, download DoD Certificate Profile using the link below.

Download DoD Certificate Profile

Once you’ve downloaded the Profile, install the Profile on your device:

Open your Settings App and Tap “Profile Downloaded” or Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management:

Follow the instructions to install the profile and certificates.

Download Smart Card Utility

Though you have the necessary hardware, it’s important to download Smart Card Utility on your iOS or iPadOS device. To download Smart Card Utility, search for “smart card utility” in the App Store.

Tap “Search” in the bottom-right corner, then use the search bar at the top to search for Smart Card Utility:

Tap “Get” to download.

Once the app completes downloading, open it to continue your setup:

Complete Initial Setup

Before jumping in to using Smart Card Utility, you must first complete Initial Setup of the app. We’ll take you step-by-step so you don’t miss a thing.

Opening Prompts

When opening Smart Card Utility, you’ll see these prompts. Swipe through the first two prompts and Tap “Let’s Go!” in the last one to enter the app.

Enable Notifications

Next, you’ll see a prompt for Notifications. Make sure to tap “Allow” to enable Status Updates. Local push notifications are sent when you are using your smart card to give you informative and error messages.

If you tap “Don’t Allow”, see the Notifications section of our User Guide for instructions on how to allow them in your Settings.

Inserting Certificates

To use the Mobile reader from Twocanoes, the user only scans the certificates required for authentication.

Full instructions on Scanning are available in the Scan section of the User Guide, but this Quick Setup guide will provide instructions for scanning so you can start using Smart Card Utility right away:

1. Insert Reader & Card

Make sure that Bluetooth in iOS is turned on, but don’t set up Bluetooth in Apple Settings. Stay in the Smart Card Utility app—no configuration in Apple Settings is needed.

Additionally, check that your smart card is fully inserted into your reader.

2. Connect the Mobile Reader

Select Add Bluetooth or Other Reader… at the top of the screen to begin. Then select your reader from the list. Your reader will appear as TCSR_Serial Number. The serial number can be found on the back of the reader.

3. PIN Pairing and Read Certificates

You must go through the PIN Paring process the first time you connect the Mobile reader with a device. After pairing the first time, you won’t need to do it again.

A prompt to enter the Mobile reader’s PIN will display. On the back of the Mobile Reader, find the Bluetooth Pairing PIN. Enter the PIN into the prompt and select Pair. If you need to pair another device please see the Pairing with Additional Devices section in this guide.

After pairing, the app will read and display all certificates on your card.  

4. Insert Certificate

We recommend that you only insert the 9A: Certificate for PIV Authentication as it is the one used for accessing websites and other portals. The 9C: Digital Signature Certificate is used for document signing.

Tap Insert next to the 9A:PIV Authentication certificate and then tap Back in the top left corner.

Select OK to allow Token Access Request if prompted.

The inserted certificate(s) will display under Certificates Available to IOS.

Now that the certificates have been imported, open Safari and navigate to a website that requires your smart card to authenticate.

NOTE: The Wireless Mobile Reader will automatically connect to Bluetooth when trying to authenticate to a website or app. Do not connect the reader to Bluetooth in Apple Settings or Bluetooth Devices.

Testing

Use the Test button in the center of the bottom bar of Smart Card Utility, to take you to the”Smart Card Utility Test Links” page.

A list of test links will be shown. Select the first link named Twocanoes Test Site and verify that you can authenticate with that website.

Pairing with additional devices when using the Smart Card Utility Mobile Reader

For security, pairing additional devices requires the Mobile Reader to be put into pairing mode before the Mobile reader will allow a new device to pair with it. Follow the steps below to pair additional devices.

  1. Insert your CAC into the reader.
  2. Make sure the reader is off. If it is on, hold the power button down for 3 seconds, and the reader should turn off.
  3. Once the reader is off, Press and Hold the Power Button for about 5 seconds. Release the Power Button once the Blue LED starts to double flash. The double flashing indicates the Mobile reader is now in Pairing Mode.
  4. Open Smart Card Utility and Tap Add Bluetooth or other Reader… A menu should pop up.
  5. Select the Mobile reader from the menu.
  6. A Pairing Request will appear, asking for the reader’s PIN. Enter the PIN from the back of the reader.
  7. After pairing is complete, Smart Card Utility will read in the certificates.
  8. If the device does not pair, remove any paired Mobile Readers in Settings->Bluetooth on iOS.

Need to Reset the Reader?

Are you having issues with the Smart Card Utility app or Reader? Try resetting and repairing the reader.

Rest App Settings

  1. Remove any inserted certificates in the app
  2. Tap on Settings(gear in the lower right corner) and select Reset All Settings

Reset the Wireless Mobile Reader

  1. Turn the reader off.
  2. Then press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
  3. The device has been reset once you see all the LEDs turn on.

Delete Bluetooth Pairing

  1. Open Apple Settings for your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Select Bluetooth in your settings menu.
  3. Locate your Wireless Mobile Reader among My Devices.
  1. Select the Bluetooth ID that matches the number on the back of your reader.
  2. Then select Forget This Device

Now, you can use the reader and app from their default settings and Add a Bluetooth or Other Reader in the Smart Card Utility app.

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