Passwords have been the standard way to protect online accounts for decades, but they come with risks. Cybercriminals can steal them through phishing attacks, data breaches, or brute-force guessing. Plus, remembering complex passwords for multiple accounts is a hassle. Passkeys offer a modern solution by eliminating traditional passwords entirely, providing a more secure and seamless login experience.
What are passkeys?
Passkeys are a modern way to sign in to accounts without needing a password. Instead of typing in a long string of characters, users can log in with a fingerprint, face scan, or a device PIN. Passkeys use advanced security technology to protect accounts from hackers while making logins faster and easier.
Passkey vs. a password: what’s the difference?
Unlike passwords, passkeys use public-private key encryption, which makes them much harder to steal. Traditional passwords rely on users creating and remembering complex combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. However, even strong passwords can be stolen, guessed, or leaked in data breaches. Passkeys eliminate these risks by using a different approach to authentication.
Here’s how passkeys differ from passwords:
- No shared secrets: A password is something you share with a website, which makes it vulnerable. A passkey keeps the secret part on your device and never shares it. Even if a website is hacked, there’s no stored password for criminals to steal.
- Phishing protection: A hacker can trick you into entering your password on a fake website, but passkeys only work on the real website they were created for. This means phishing attacks that rely on stealing login credentials become ineffective.
- No more password resets: Forgetting passwords and resetting them is frustrating. With passkeys, you don’t have to worry about remembering anything—just use your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN to authenticate securely. This eliminates the hassle of resetting credentials when locked out of an account.
Passkeys are designed to be more secure while simplifying the login process. As a result, they remove the biggest weaknesses of traditional passwords: human error and credential theft. This innovation makes online authentication safer and more user-friendly.
How do passkeys work?
Passkeys make online logins safer by using a secure digital key stored on your device, like a smartphone or computer. Instead of typing a password, your device automatically verifies who you are. This means hackers can’t steal or guess your password, because there isn’t one—your passkey stays safely on your device and works only for you. Here’s the simple process:
Creation: When you log in to a service, your device creates a passkey. This involves generating a pair of cryptographic keys – a public key that is shared with the online service and a private key that remains securely on your device.
Authentication: To sign in, the service sends a challenge to your device. Your device signs this challenge with the private key, which can only be unlocked with a factor like a fingerprint, face scan, or a PIN.
Verification: The online service verifies the signed challenge using the public key, confirming your identity without ever seeing or storing your private key.
This method means that even if a service is compromised, your online security remains secure with the passkey because there’s no actual password or private key stored on the server. It’s a revolutionary step forward in eliminating traditional password vulnerabilities and making sign-ins more seamless and secure.
How to set up passkeys
Setting up passkeys is simple and varies by platform.
How to use passkeys with Google
- Go to Google Account settings.
- Navigate to Security > Passkeys.
- Follow the on-screen steps to create a passkey.
- Enable sync for use on multiple devices.
How to set up passkeys on Apple devices
- Open Settings and go to Passwords.
- Enable iCloud Keychain.
- Create a passkey when prompted by supported websites.
- Use Touch ID or Face ID for easy authentication.
Major tech companies supporting passkeys
As passkeys gain traction, major tech companies and organizations are driving adoption by integrating this passwordless authentication method into their ecosystems. This push is making it easier for users worldwide to transition away from traditional passwords.
The following industry leaders are at the forefront of passkey adoption:
FIDO Alliance: This group plays a crucial role in developing and standardizing passwordless authentication methods. By collaborating with major tech companies, the FIDO Alliance ensures cross-platform compatibility and widespread adoption of passkeys.
Google: Passkeys are integrated into Google’s services and its Password Manager, allowing users to create and sync passkeys across their devices. Recently, Google expanded passkey support to iPhones and iPads, enabling full synchronization through Chrome and Google Password Manager.
Apple: Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, support passkeys through iCloud Keychain, ensuring seamless cross-device authentication within the Apple ecosystem. Apple continues to promote passkeys as part of its broader security and privacy initiatives.
Microsoft: Windows users can sign in with passkeys, and Microsoft is actively expanding support across its services. The company aims to reduce reliance on passwords and mitigate credential theft risks.
Amazon, PayPal, and LinkedIn: These platforms have introduced passkey authentication to provide users with a more secure and convenient way to log in. Amazon, in particular, supports passkeys for secure transactions across multiple devices.
Advantages of passkeys
Passkeys offer a significant improvement over traditional passwords by making online authentication both more secure and easier to use. Unlike passwords, which can be stolen, guessed, or leaked, passkeys provide a phishing-resistant, encrypted method of signing into accounts without the hassle of memorization.
Security benefits
Passkey authentication enhances security by using encryption and device-bound credentials instead of passwords. Private keys remain on the user’s device and are never shared with applications. This eliminates risks like password reuse and phishing, providing a seamless, secure login experience without the need to remember or manage traditional passwords.
Security is one of the biggest advantages of passkeys. Since they are not stored in a central database, they cannot be stolen in a data breach like passwords. Instead, passkeys use a secure encryption method to ensure that only the rightful owner can access an account.
Here’s why they are safer:
Phishing resistance: Even if a hacker creates a fake website, your passkey won’t work there, keeping your accounts safe.How do I set up a passkey?
No password leaks: Since passwords aren’t stored, hackers can’t steal them in a data breach.
Strong encryption: Passkeys rely on advanced cryptographic techniques, making them nearly impossible to crack.
To set up and use passkeys on a mobile device, you must be running at least Android 9 or iOS 16. On desktops, Windows 10 or macOS 13 Ventura or higher must be installed. You must also be using a supported browser (Safari 16, Google Chrome 109 and Microsoft Edge 109) or newer. In addition, any FIDO-certified security key can be used, including NFC and USB-based physical keys.
Making logins easier and faster
Beyond security, passkeys also offer a frictionless login experience. With traditional passwords, users often have to reset forgotten credentials, struggle with password managers, or re-enter passwords on multiple devices. Passkeys eliminate these pain points:
- No passwords to remember: No more writing down or resetting forgotten passwords.
- Fast logins: A quick fingerprint scan or face recognition lets you sign in instantly.
- Sync across devices: Passkeys stored in cloud services (Google, Apple) can be used across multiple devices, ensuring seamless access without the need to re-enter login credentials.
Are passkeys mandatory, or can I still use passwords if I want to?
Passkeys are not mandatory; they are an alternative to traditional passwords. Users can choose to continue using passwords if they prefer. For example, Google allows users to opt out of passkeys by turning off the “Skip password when possible” feature in their account settings.
Challenges and limitations of passkeys
Passkeys provide stronger security and ease of use, but they haven’t fully replaced passwords yet. Many websites still require traditional logins, and users may be hesitant to switch due to lack of awareness or concerns about compatibility. Businesses also need time to adopt passkeys and educate users on their benefits.
Why aren’t passkeys everywhere yet?
Despite their advantages, passkeys are not yet universally adopted. Many websites still rely on traditional passwords alongside passkeys, making a complete transition difficult. Users may be hesitant to switch due to a lack of awareness or uncertainty about how passkeys work. Additionally, businesses need time to fully integrate passkey support into their platforms, which requires investment in technology and user education. As awareness grows and more companies implement passkeys, adoption is expected to increase steadily.
Can passkeys work across all devices?
Passkeys work best within individual ecosystems, such as Google’s and Apple’s, ensuring seamless authentication across devices linked to the same account. Google Password Manager syncs passkeys across all signed-in Google devices, while Apple’s iCloud Keychain does the same for Apple devices.
However, cross-platform compatibility remains a challenge, though recent updates have improved interoperability:
- Google now enables full passkey synchronization on iPhones and iPads via Chrome and Google Password Manager. Previously, Google-stored passkeys on iOS could only sync through Apple’s iCloud Keychain, but now passkeys created in Chrome on iOS automatically sync across Google-linked devices, and vice versa.
- Apple’s iCloud Keychain does not yet support syncing passkeys with Android devices.
- Android 14 now allows passkeys to be stored in third-party password managers, increasing flexibility for users switching between ecosystems.
- Microsoft, while supporting passkeys in Windows, has yet to introduce full cross-platform sync.
For users who frequently switch between ecosystems, third-party password managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden provide an alternative way to synchronize passkeys across devices.
Can I use passkeys on public or shared devices?
Using passkeys on public or shared devices is possible but should be approached with caution:
- Temporary Access: Some services allow the use of passkeys via QR codes or similar methods, enabling temporary access without storing your credentials on the public device. For example, when signing into a service on a public computer, you might use your smartphone to scan a QR code, allowing you to authenticate without leaving your passkey on the public machine.
- Security Considerations: It is crucial to ensure that no sensitive information is saved on the public device after your session. Always log out and avoid saving login information when using shared devices.
By understanding these aspects, users can make informed decisions about adopting passkeys and managing their digital security effectively.
How to recover your passkeys if you lose your device
If you lose the device that stores your passkeys, recovery depends on the ecosystem you are using:
- Apple Devices: Passkeys are stored in iCloud Keychain and synchronize across your Apple devices. If all your devices are lost, you can recover your passkeys by signing into your iCloud account on a new device and restoring from iCloud Keychain.
- Google Accounts: Passkeys are stored in your Google Account and synchronized across devices via Google Password Manager. If you lose your device, you can sign into your Google Account on another device and disable the passkey associated with the lost device to maintain security.
It is advisable to set up passkeys on multiple devices to ensure access in case one is lost.
The future of passkeys
Passkeys are set to become the standard for secure authentication, with continuous improvements on the horizon.
What’s next for passkey security?
As technology advances, passkeys are expected to become even more secure and widely adopted. Developers and security experts are working on new enhancements to make passkeys not only safer but also more convenient for users. These improvements aim to strengthen authentication processes, enhance privacy, and increase compatibility across different platforms.
- AI-powered authentication: Future passkeys may integrate artificial intelligence to detect unusual login behavior and flag potential security threats in real time. AI-driven systems could analyze login patterns and prompt additional verification if anything seems suspicious.
- Blockchain integration: Decentralizing passkey storage could provide even greater security by eliminating single points of failure. Using blockchain technology, passkeys could be stored in a distributed manner, making unauthorized access nearly impossible.
- Advanced biometrics: While fingerprint and face recognition are already widely used, new biometric methods, such as voice recognition or behavioral authentication, could further enhance security. These methods analyze unique user traits, making it even harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
With ongoing advancements, passkeys are on track to become the standard for secure online authentication. Companies are investing in AI-driven authentication, blockchain-based security, and advanced biometrics to further enhance their capabilities.
H3: Industry trends and predictions
The FIDO Alliance is actively working to refine and expand the standards for passkey adoption. Their goal is to ensure seamless integration across different platforms, making passwordless authentication more accessible for users worldwide.
At the same time, businesses are recognizing the security and convenience benefits of passkeys and gradually moving towards a passwordless future. Major companies are investing in technology and infrastructure to support this shift, helping users transition away from traditional password-based logins.
As adoption continues to grow, passkeys are on track to become the default login method across major platforms. With support from tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, users can expect a future where secure authentication is effortless and passwords become obsolete.