Passkeys - The Future of Passwords
Passkeys are the newest and most secure way to log into websites and apps. They’re easier to use than passwords and impossible to phish.
What Are Passkeys?
Section titled “What Are Passkeys?”Think of passkeys as a digital key that:
- Lives only on your device
- Uses your fingerprint or face to unlock
- Can’t be stolen through phishing
- Replaces both your password AND 2FA code
Password: Something you know (and can forget, reuse, or have stolen)
Passkey: Something you have (your device) + something you are (biometrics)
How Passkeys Work
Section titled “How Passkeys Work”When You Create a Passkey:
Section titled “When You Create a Passkey:”- Website generates a unique key pair
- Your device stores the private key securely
- Website stores only the public key
- No password is ever created or stored
When You Log In:
Section titled “When You Log In:”- Website asks for your identity
- Your device shows “Sign in with Face ID/Fingerprint”
- You authenticate with biometrics
- You’re logged in - no password typed
Benefits Over Passwords
Section titled “Benefits Over Passwords”| Feature | Passwords | Passkeys |
|---|---|---|
| Can be phished | Yes | No |
| Can be reused | Often | Impossible |
| Can be forgotten | Yes | No |
| Requires memorization | Yes | No |
| Vulnerable to data breaches | Yes | No |
| Need 2FA separately | Yes | Built-in |
Where Can You Use Passkeys?
Section titled “Where Can You Use Passkeys?”Websites Supporting Passkeys (India):
Section titled “Websites Supporting Passkeys (India):”- Google (Gmail, YouTube, Google Pay)
- Microsoft (Outlook, LinkedIn)
- PayPal
- Amazon
- Apple (iCloud, App Store)
- GitHub
- Adobe
- Nintendo
- And many more…
Indian Apps Coming Soon:
Section titled “Indian Apps Coming Soon:”Major Indian services are gradually adding passkey support. Check your favorite apps’ security settings.
How to Set Up Passkeys
Section titled “How to Set Up Passkeys”On Google/Gmail:
Section titled “On Google/Gmail:”- Go to myaccount.google.com
- Click Security
- Under “How you sign in to Google”, click Passkeys
- Click Create a passkey
- Follow the prompts to use your fingerprint/face
On Amazon:
Section titled “On Amazon:”- Go to Amazon > Account > Login & Security
- Click Passkey
- Click Set up
- Authenticate with your device
General Steps:
Section titled “General Steps:”- Go to account settings > Security
- Look for “Passkey” or “Passwordless”
- Click “Add Passkey” or “Create Passkey”
- Use your fingerprint or face to confirm
- Done!
Passkey Storage
Section titled “Passkey Storage”Where Passkeys Are Stored:
Section titled “Where Passkeys Are Stored:”iPhone/Mac:
- iCloud Keychain (syncs across Apple devices)
Android:
- Google Password Manager (syncs across Google account)
Windows:
- Windows Hello
Cross-Platform:
- Bitwarden, 1Password, Dashlane support passkey storage
Passkeys stored in iCloud or Google automatically sync across your devices. If you lose your phone, you can still access them from another device signed into the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions”Q: What if I lose my phone? A: Passkeys sync to your cloud account (Google/Apple). Sign in on a new device with your account to get your passkeys back. Most services also allow recovery via email or phone number.
Q: Can I use passkeys on multiple devices? A: Yes! Passkeys sync automatically between devices using the same account (Google or Apple). You can also create passkeys on multiple devices for the same account.
Q: Are passkeys safe from hackers? A: Passkeys cannot be phished, stolen in data breaches, or guessed. They’re the most secure authentication method available today.
Q: Do I need to delete my password after creating a passkey? A: Not immediately. Keep your password as a backup initially. Once you’re comfortable with passkeys, you can disable password login on accounts that support it.
Q: What if a website doesn’t support passkeys? A: Continue using a strong, unique password from your password manager + 2FA. Passkeys are still being adopted, so passwords will coexist for a while.
Passkeys vs Other 2FA Methods
Section titled “Passkeys vs Other 2FA Methods”| Method | Security Level | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| SMS OTP | Low (can be intercepted) | Medium |
| Authenticator App | High | Medium |
| Hardware Key (YubiKey) | Very High | Low |
| Passkeys | Very High | Very High |
Getting Started Checklist
Section titled “Getting Started Checklist”Start using passkeys today:
- Check if your device supports passkeys (most phones from 2020+ do)
- Set up a passkey for your Google account
- Set up a passkey for your Microsoft account (if you use one)
- Check other accounts for passkey support
- Enable passkey sync in your password manager
The Future
Section titled “The Future”Passkeys are becoming the standard. Within a few years:
- Most websites will support passkeys
- Passwords may become optional
- Phishing attacks will become much harder
Start using passkeys now on accounts that support them, while keeping your password manager for everything else.