Last year, Microsoft, Google and Apple announced plans to expand support for a common passwordless sign-in standard. This standard was created by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web consortium. With support from Microsoft, Google and Apple, websites and apps can offer easy passwordless sign-ins to consumers across devices and platforms.
Ahead of World Password Day, Google today announced that is rolling out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms. Passkeys will become an additional feature along with passwords, 2-Step Verification, etc.
Passkeys are a new way to sign into apps and websites, and they are more secure than passwords. Passkeys allow you to sign in using with a fingerprint, a face scan or a screen lock PIN.
Unlike passwords, passkeys can only exist on your devices. They cannot be written down or accidentally given to a bad actor.
Here are some key facts about passkeys you need to know:
- If you use multiple devices, you can create a passkey for each one.
- Securely back your passkeys up and sync them to other devices you own to avoid being locked out of your account in case you lose your devices.
- If you want to sign in on a new device for the first time, or temporarily use someone else’s device, you can use a passkey stored on your phone by using “use a passkey from another device” feature.
- If you lose a device with a passkey for your Google Account and believe someone else can unlock it, you can immediately revoke the passkey in your account settings.
You can setup passkeys for your personal Google Account here. For Google Workspace accounts, administrators will soon have the option to enable passkeys for their end-users during sign-in.
