I’m currently planning my first implant and leaning toward the VivoKey Apex Flex (narrow). My main goal is to use it as a secure authentication method, basically a YubiKey style 2FA device that’s also futureproof with applet support.
I’ve seen that the wrist is one of the more common placements for the Flex, but since it’s best suited for low movement areas, I wanted to ask: Are there any other placements you’d recommend for the narrow Flex that balance comfort, safety, and reliable reads?
I am considering the back of my hand but I’m unsure of the practicality of that.
I was originally thinking the webbing between the thumb and index finger, but I’ve read mixed things about movement and longevity there.
Also, does anyone know if Evolution Studio in Tennessee is currently performing Apex Flex installs? I’m in Georgia and trying to find the closest experienced installer or community contact.
Any insight, placement suggestions, or installer updates would be hugely appreciated.
It depends a lot on your hands, the size of them, etc. but forearm is pretty much always a good spot for Apex as it’s rarely used for access control and you really typically only need to worry about placing your phone over it, or putting a reader on it for FIDO and other types of interactions.
They are not. They are limited by local laws to just x-series.
I use my Apex as an implanted Yubikey and have it in the wrist area. Zero regrets about the install location. Mine is Spectrum sized, but even if it were the Narrow I still would have gone with the wrist. Most of the time I’m scanning it with my phone (multiple times per day) since I use it as the 2F for my password manager, and the wrist placement is perfect for that. It is slightly awkward to hit a desktop reader but still easy enough, and putting it elsewhere on the hand won’t really help with that since you still have to turn your hand over.
One thing that can help a lot is getting some repeater sticker or stickers for your phone or other RFID scanners you might use. They make getting reliable reads easier and after a bit of practice it will feel almost like muscle memory to scan.
Grim. It’s nice to meet you I’ve been reading a lot of your posts and even saw your guide on the Yubikey emulation ( which I have to say def got me to research the apex line.) I’m curious do you have it on the underside or upper part of your wrist? The only thing about the wrist for me is if later I decide to to swap the module on it or etc I’d have to use that location repeatedly.
Nice to meet you as well. Glad my guide has helped. I’ll be updating it to version 2 soon (things are even easier now to set up).
I have my Apex on the top, a little towards the outside. I picked the outside location over center so that I could hit desktop readers easier, in theory. In practice it didn’t really make a difference. Desktop readers have never been an issue.
For an Apex Flex Narrow, I think the underside could work, but I think it will be a little less comfortable for phone scans. You’ll need to be careful of tendons too.
I’m not sure I understand. If you need to swap out the module later, then the procedure will basically mimic the install. Generally though removal will require a larger incision than an install would.
The nice thing about the Apex Narrow (vs the Apex Spectrum or Module) is that you have two install options: scalpel or needle. But I think that removal would require a scalpel + incision no matter what.
I don’t plan on removing mine until/unless it physically stops working, and that should be many years away. Even then, I’d likely get a new chip implanted in a different location, remove the old one, let the area heal, then eventually use that spot for a new chip.
Nah I think this may be a misunderstanding on my part. When I saw the Apex I saw that you could load applets to the chip, allowing you to essentially assign it different purposes. I may be misunderstanding that functionality.
You are correct, you can install and remove various applets to the Apex. The Apex doesn’t have enough storage to hold all of the applets, so yes, there may be times when you need to remove one to install another.
But those times are fairly infrequent and I wouldn’t pick an install location just to make the occasional applet install easier. You can install/remove applets with either a phone or the desktop command line utility. Android phones can install all applets. iPhones are more locked down and they can’t install “privileged” applets like FIDO2. Even on Android phones though, applet installation is finicky. You have to have good coupling between the chip and the reader, and maintain that coupling for seconds to tens of seconds. The repeater stickers help, but I still prefer installing applets via a desktop reader. Amal’s earlier suggesting of mounting a reader on the underside of a desk is a great idea. For me, I just prepare the CLI command, keep my hand flat, then put the USB reader on top and press enter. Works first try 90% of the time. Installing an applet requires a lot more bandwidth and data transfer then using an already installed applet for authentication.
I’ve got a flex on the underside of my arm, and its been great for me personally. rotating the arm so your palm is facing you and placing a phone on the “back” of your wrist to read is very natural. That said, I just learned that, that install location is also very “finicky“ lots of veins and tendons and you need to be very careful/ have a very experienced installer if that’s an option you want to go. ultimately after understanding the risks/ and being informed, I chose to place my other apex install on the “top” of my wrist closer to where you’d put a watch, and ultimately I doubt I’ll do another install on the business end of my arms
all said, I love mine and its very useful, but I was also unaware of the dangers when I chose that spot. My personal take is that “access control“ for door readers and such are really nice to have in the back of your hand, but things like the apex “identity management“ work well on the arm.
Welcome to the club and good luck with the install!
Also Grim and @Barediver im curious where did you guys go to get your Apex installed? Now that im sitting here ( wine in hand) I just realized TN is a nogo for me unless I settle for the X - series and Florida might be a no-go too id assume with how stringent the south is on what I can do with my body id assume imma have to find someone UTT or etc.
I used a piercer named Patrick in Colorado, but that might be too far for you. Dangerous Things has a map of installation partners at https://dangerousthings.com/partners/ . It looks like there is a person in Jacksonville Florida that might be able to help, although their business on that page is listed as “Traveling Will Change”.
I’d recommend checking out Pineapple in Dallas, Texas. He is one of the most experienced implant (and other body modification) people in the U.S, and could easily put in an Apex.
Guy named leo in Orlando florida. I think it was called dungeon tattoo
Edit: Additionally, super professional, and did a flawless install in a seemingly sketchy spot quickly and surgically. Great stitch work as well, I can’t even find the install scar. If you’re willing to drive and he’s still in Orlando I’d highly recommend giving them a call.
I had my narrow Apex Flex installed in position 0 on my right hand, though it’s more aligned above the bone that leads to my index finger rather than in the middle of the fleshy part. I’d considered my wrist but my main use for it is as a key to my car and the hand was the easiest location for this.
It was installed in October 2023 and I’ve had no issues with it. I do play sports and for one of them where it could get some contact, I pad it with some gauze underneath an elastic wrist brace.
My secondary use for it is as a digital card for my business (it links to a special page on my website) and scanning it with a phone is a little tricky, but I think that would be the case even if it were in my wrist.
I am careful with leash placement on my hand when I walk the dog, or when carrying a heavy bag that could slip over my hand forcefully. And I decline hand massages for that hand. Those are the only times I really “worry” about it.
