Smart card readers

Page updated: 2025-12-15

The table below does not aim for complete coverage of every existing reader (and a bit old right now)
We update with new readers and driver versions when they happen to show up on our radar
If you want a huge list then go to this place: https://ccid.apdu.fr/ccid/section.html

Sometimes we get the question:
- Is there a list of smart card readers supported by Net iD?
The answer is:
- Net iD support the PC/SC-standard. If a reader in PC/SC-compatible you can use it, but if it works well depends on the hardware and the driver.

Our advice after more than 25 years with smart card readers =>

§1 - Windows: If the reader have a driver then use it!
Don't use the generic CCID driver from Microsoft
However, Yubikeys works well with the generic CCID driver from Microsoft

§2 - macOS: Drivers are built-in for most readers, only install drivers if the reader is missing in macOS

§3 - Linux: Drivers are built-in for most readers, only install drivers if the reader is missing in Linux
Make sure you keep pcsc-lite and ccid up to date

§4 - Always turn off power saving, in the driver or in BIOS
The reason for this is that some applications (not Net iD) can't handle "disapearing readers"
Decent readers handle power saving in the driver, nasty readers require that you uncheck a box in BIOS

§5 - Some readers need firmware update

§6 - Some SIM-card slots in laptops are also PC/SC-readers, make sure that your model is excluded in the Net iD configuration
(Net iD should not try to read SIM-cards)

§7 - Regarding drivers...
¤ Start by checking the vendor support website!
¤ Sometimes you can find the latest driver here: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/
(just paste the VID/PID-string taken from Device Manager, like the values in the table below)

§8 - Some readers, like HID 5422 and maybe Broadcom, includes the possibility to read RFID.
In some cases we see disturbances when using a card with both chip and RFID (Mifare).
Even if inserting the card instead of just placing it for reading RFID it seems to detect RFID.
This can call for actions in Device Manager => Disable the one with "CL"