Apple is pushing the boundaries of security with its innovative passkey system, offering frictionless and secure features, for users to log into apps and websites without having to create or use passwords. This guide will take a closer look at what Apple passkeys are, how they work, and how you can set them up on your iOS and macOS devices.
A passkey is a digital credential that replaces the need for passwords. It's built using asymmetric public-key cryptography in such a way that only the user's device holds the private key, making it immune to phishing and other various vulnerabilities with passwords.
Apple passkeys are supported by both FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards, making them adaptable across different platforms and devices.
Apple's passkey system is based on public-key cryptography. When a passkey is created, a key pair is generated: the public key is stored on the server, while the private key is securely stored in the device’s secure enclave.
The enclave is a dedicated hardware component that ensures the private key never leaves the device, providing enhanced security and protection against external attacks.
Passkeys are synced via iCloud Keychain to make them available across all Apple ecosystems. The process is further streamlined by using the device's unlock mechanism for passwordless authentication, with the private key signing the login request.
The combination of the secure enclave for private key storage with an iCloud Keychain for synchronization makes Apple passkeys more secure yet highly convenient for users.
Apple was one of the first major companies to adopt passkey technology, showcasing their commitment to passwordless security as early as 2021.
As part of the FIDO Alliance, Apple partnered with fellow tech giants like Google and Microsoft to develop and make use of the FIDO2 standards for secure, passwordless authentication.
This push for passkeys reflects Apple's broader commitment to enhancing privacy and security in user experiences. Free from the potential for phishing attacks and data breaches that come with traditional passwords, passkeys are much more secure and user-friendly.
The FIDO Alliance predicts that passkeys will eventually take over passwords across platforms, and Apple is placing itself at the forefront of this revolution. With its early adoption of the technology and the integration within the Apple ecosystem, the company shaping the future of online security.
Apple Passkeys offer enhanced security by utilizing iCloud Keychain, which is protected with end-to-end encryption and strong cryptographic keys not known to Apple.
This setup ensures that even if the user's Apple account, iCloud, or any third-party server is compromised, their passkeys will stay secure.
Additionally, brute-force attacks are also mitigated because of rate limiting. To prevent unauthorized access, any account using iCloud Keychain is required to set up two-factor authentication, and passkeys can be recovered through a highly secure iCloud Keychain escrow to make sure users can regain access even when all devices are lost.
This layered approach guarantees that passkeys provide superior protection, even in underprivileged or compromised conditions.
You can easily enable passkeys on iOS and save passkeys for apps and websites that support them. First, you need to make sure you enable iCloud Keychain, then, the steps may vary depending on the app or website, but they typically follow this the process in this tutorial:
If you want additional security, you can back up your passkey to a hardware security key. Under “More options,” tap Back up to another device and follow the instructions to save it on another secure key.
Once you've created and saved a passkey on your supported iOS device, logging in becomes quick and secure. Here’s how to log in using a passkey:
Passkeys are supported on a variety of Apple devices, including iPhones running iOS 16 or later, iPads with iPadOS 16 or later, Mac devices running macOS Ventura or later, and Apple TV with tvOS 16 or later.
To ensure seamless functionality and security, it’s important to update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the latest version.
You can find iOS passkey support for your Apple iOS device through several resources:
These resources provide a comprehensive range of support options for setting up and troubleshooting passkeys on your iOS devices.
Apple Passkeys are automatically backed up through iCloud Keychain, which securely stores your passkeys and syncs them across all your Apple devices. iCloud Keychain is configured for end-to-end encryption, so only your trusted device has access to the keychain-stored passkeys.
You will be able to recover your passkeys using iCloud Keychain recovery in case all of your devices are lost. You do this by authenticating with your Apple ID and responding to an SMS sent to your registered phone number. Once verified, you'll enter your device passcode, and iCloud will securely restore your passkeys.
In this section, we explore the advantages passkeys offer over passwords from a developer’s perspective. This comparison highlights why developers should prioritize passkey implementation to improve security, reduce costs, and enhance user retention:
Interested in adding passkeys to your service? Check out our Integration guide.
Apple Passkeys are compatible with devices running iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, macOS Ventura or later, and tvOS 16 or later.
Yes, many third-party apps and services offer Apple Passkey authentication methods that work with non-Apple devices. You'll be able to sign in with an Apple Passkey by having an iPhone or iPad scan a QR code and then authenticating with Touch ID or Face ID.
Apple Passkeys are more secure because they do not rely on shared secrets, which are vulnerable to theft. Instead, they use public-key cryptography, where the private key stays on the device and is never shared. This makes passkeys phishing-resistant and immune to common attacks.
Yes, Apple Passkeys are automatically backed up to iCloud Keychain, and you can recover them if lost using account recovery procedures.
No, an internet connection is required to authenticate with Apple Passkeys.
To enable Apple Passkeys, go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > AutoFill Passwords, and turn on the "Allow Filling From" option. This will let you create and manage passkeys through iCloud Keychain.
Yes, you can use two-factor authentication (2FA) with Apple Passkeys by enabling it for your Apple ID. With 2FA, you’ll need to enter a code in addition to your passkey when signing in.
