Passwords have been the standard way to sign in to websites and apps for decades, but they're not perfect. They're often difficult to remember, and they can be easily compromised if they're not strong enough.
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| Image: Google Developers |
Passkeys are a new type of authentication credential that is designed to replace passwords. They are stored on the user's device and are used to sign in to websites and apps without the need to enter a username or password. Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they are not stored on the server, and they are more convenient because they can be used across different devices and browsers.
To get started with passkeys, you will need to:
- Make sure that your browser and operating system support passkeys.
- Visit a website or app that supports passkeys.
- When you are prompted to sign in, select the option to use a passkey.
- Your device will scan for passkeys that are associated with the website or app.
- Select the passkey that you want to use.
Once you have signed in with a passkey, you will not need to enter a username or password again. The passkey will be stored on your device and will be used automatically when you visit the website or app in the future.
Here are some of the benefits of using passkeys:
- They are more secure than passwords.
- They are more convenient than passwords.
- They are cross-platform.
- They are supported by major browsers and operating systems.
Google is already rolling out passkeys for Google Accounts. You can try them out at g.co/passkeys.
To get started, you'll need to enable passkeys in your Google Account settings. Once you've done that, you can start using passkeys to sign in to websites and apps that support them.
Here's how to get started:
- Go to https://g.co/passkeys.
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Click "Enable passkeys."
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Check what you need to create a passkey:
You can create passkeys on these devices:
- A laptop or desktop that runs at least Windows 10, macOS Ventura, or ChromeOS 109
- A mobile device that runs at least iOS 16 or Android 9
- A hardware security key that supports the FIDO2 protocol
Your computer or mobile device will also need a supported browser like:
- Chrome 109 or up
- Safari 16 or up
- Edge 109 or up
To create and use a passkey, your device must have the following enabled:
- Screen lock
- Bluetooth
- If you want to use a passkey on a phone to sign in to another computer
If you are looking for a more secure and convenient way to authenticate to websites and apps, then you should consider using passkeys.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
I hope this blog post has helped you to understand what passkeys are and how to get started with them. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.