Passkeys: The Future of Secure and Easy Logins

Passkeys are set to revolutionize how we secure our online accounts, with passwords gradually becoming obsolete. Google has pioneered this transition, prompting other tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Sony PlayStation to adopt or announce plans to support this innovative login method. Although the rollout has been gradual, the advancements over the past year have been promising and significant.

Passkeys offer a more secure and user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords. They eliminate the need to remember complex strings of characters, reducing the risk of weak passwords and phishing attacks. Instead, passkeys leverage biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, or device-based security measures, providing a seamless and robust security experience.

This shift towards passkeys is part of a broader trend in the tech industry to enhance digital security and user convenience. As more companies integrate passkeys into their systems, users can expect a safer and more streamlined login process, paving the way for a future where password-related security breaches are a thing of the past.

Google’s Chrome browser includes a built-in password manager, but you might hesitate to entrust all your passwords to Google. You might already use a different password manager that suits your needs. While these tools are useful, managing passwords can still be a hassle. This is where passkeys come in, offering a simpler and more secure way to log in using biometrics.

As Google leads the charge in this new security frontier, setting up passkeys is designed to be user-friendly. Below, I’ll guide you through the process of setting up a passkey for your Google account.

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Requirements to Use Passkeys

To use Google passkeys, you’ll need to ensure your device meets certain requirements. These vary based on the type of device you’re using.

For mobile devices, your operating system must be at least iOS 16 or Android 9. On computers, you’ll need to be running MacOS Ventura or Windows 10. Additionally, your web browser must be updated to at least Google Chrome 109, Apple Safari 16, or Microsoft Edge 109.

Meeting these prerequisites will ensure a smooth setup process for your Google passkeys, enhancing your online security effortlessly.

How to set up passkeys with Google?

Setting up passkeys with Google is straightforward and enhances your account security. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open any web browser on your device—whether it’s your phone, tablet, or computer—and go to g.co/passkeys.
2. If you’re already logged into your Google account, you’ll need to verify your identity by entering your regular password. If you need to switch accounts, simply tap on the current email and choose from your other Google accounts.
3. Once you’ve entered your password and clicked Next, you’ll be prompted to create your passkey. Follow the on-screen instructions and click Continue when prompted. The passkey will be securely stored on your device, such as in iCloud Keychain on iOS or equivalent on other platforms.
4. Follow any additional prompts on your device to use your biometric (like fingerprint or facial recognition) to confirm your identity. Once confirmed, your passkey will be set up for that device.

Note: While there’s an option to create a passkey using another device or an external security key, the easiest method is to create it directly on the device you’re currently using.

Now, you can use your passkey to log in to your Google account. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, using a passkey bypasses the need for a second factor because it confirms your physical possession of the device, which is the essence of 2FA. If you ever decide not to use your passkey, you can always revert to using your password for logging in.

This method simplifies the login process while bolstering the security of your Google account.

Lost Your Device with a Passkey? Google’s Got You

If your device is lost or stolen, you can still access your Google account by following these steps:

1. Using another device that can access your Google account, navigate to g.co/passkeys.
2. Sign in to your account using your regular password.
3. Locate the passkey associated with your lost or stolen device. You can identify it by the device name or description.
4. Next to the passkey, click on the ‘X‘ icon, then confirm by clicking Remove to delete it. This action will revert you to using your password for logging in.

By removing the passkey from your account, you ensure that only authorized devices can access your Google account going forward.

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