Welcome to our comprehensive guide to creating passkeys across a diverse range of devices, services, and platforms.
As organizations and individuals grasp the increasing cybersecurity threats and the inconvenience of managing numerous passwords, passkeys have emerged as a robust and user-friendly alternative.
Thanks to widespread adoption and ongoing technological advancements, it’s never been easier to set up and use passkeys, streamlining everything from personal logins to enterprise security protocols.
In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of passkeys, highlight why they’ve become a vital security measure, and walk you through each step to enable, activate and ultimately log in with passkeys on various devices and popular services.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy individual looking to boost account protection or a decision-maker exploring secure authentication solutions for your organization, this guide will help you take advantage of the many benefits passkeys have to offer.
At its core, a passkey is a secure credential stored on a device rather than on a remote server. It uses public-key cryptography, meaning a private key remains hidden on your device, and a public key is shared with the service you want to access.
When attempting to log in, your device uses the private key to sign a challenge, proving your identity to the service.
Because there is no password transmitted or stored on external servers, it significantly mitigates phishing and credential-stuffing attacks.
Dive deeper into passkeys here.
Organizations and individuals choose passkeys because they are easy to set up, convenient to use, and offer high-level security.
By eliminating weak or reused passwords, passkeys reduce the risk of account compromise drastically. They also streamline the login process, making it faster and more user-friendly.
From a compliance standpoint, passkeys help meet rigorous security standards in regulated industries.
While the specific interface varies across devices and platforms, the general steps remain consistent:
Setting up a passkey on your mobile device is a straightforward process, and we’ve ensured everyone is covered.
Whether you’re using Android, Samsung, or an iPhone, each platform has simple steps to enable and configure passkeys.
Let’s dive into the specifics of each type of device to help you get started.
Most modern Android devices have native support for FIDO2 or passkeys.
Begin by opening your device settings and locating the “Security” or “Passwords & accounts” section.
Enable a secure screen lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or facial recognition).
Once this is done, head over to your Google Account settings on the same device, find “Passkeys,” and activate the feature. Confirm your identity using biometrics or a PIN.
After these steps, your Android passkey is ready for use on any compatible service or app, just like that.
Samsung devices come equipped with Samsung Pass, which seamlessly integrates with Samsung passkey standards.
Open your device settings and tap “Biometrics and security.”
Next, select “Samsung Pass” and set up your biometric lock if you haven’t already.
Once you activate your fingerprint or face recognition, you’ll be prompted to configure Samsung Pass to manage security credentials, including passkeys.
After the initial setup, you can add passkeys for websites and apps that support this advanced authentication method, making it quick and easy to log in securely.
iPhones running iOS 16 or newer allow you to make Apple passkeys via iCloud Keychain.
Go to Settings, tap your name, and navigate to “Password & Security.” Ensure that the iCloud Keychain is turned on.
Whenever you visit a website or open an app that supports passkeys, you’ll be prompted to register a passkey instead of creating a traditional password.
Simply use Face ID or Touch ID to activate the passkey.
The credential is securely stored on your device and synced with iCloud Keychain, enabling instant login across all your Apple devices.
If your iPad is running iPadOS 16 or later, it supports passkeys through iCloud Keychain, just like the iPhone.
Open Settings, tap your name, and go to “Password & Security” and confirm that the iCloud Keychain is enabled.
When you sign up for a new service that supports passkeys or when you update your credentials, the iPad will offer to register a passkey.
Use Touch ID, Face ID, or your device passcode to activate it. Once configured, the passkey is safely stored and shared across your Apple ecosystem, making future logins effortless.
Mac computers running macOS Ventura or newer also integrate passkeys through iCloud Keychain.
Open “System Settings,” click your Apple ID, then select “iCloud.” Enable “iCloud Keychain” if it’s not already active.
The next time you visit a compatible website in Safari, you can create a passkey.
Safari will prompt you to register one, which you confirm using Touch ID or your Mac password.
Once added, you can use this passkey for secure, password-free logins on that site whenever you’re on the same Mac or signed into the same iCloud account on another Apple device.
For phones not specifically mentioned, the process remains pretty much the same.
Configure a secure lock (biometric or PIN), then look for passkey or FIDO2 references in your security settings.
Some manufacturers label it differently, so you might see phrases like “Security Key,” “FIDO2 authentication,” or “Passwordless sign-in.”
Enable or activate the feature, and then when prompted by apps or websites, register a Passkey.
Ensure your device is up to date, as support may depend on both hardware and software versions.
Securing your Apple ID with a passkey bolsters the entire Apple ecosystem.
On an iOS device or Mac with the latest software, open Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap your name, and go to “Password & Security.”
Look for an option referencing passkeys or advanced security. Set up or enable the passkey feature, then use Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to activate and register the passkey.
From there, you can use it for streamlined login to your Apple ID and associated services.
Because iCloud shares the same credentials as your Apple ID, once you have created a passkey for your Apple ID, it automatically applies to iCloud.
If you need to verify, return to your Settings or System Settings and check under “Passwords & Security.” You’ll see that a passkey is already configured for iCloud.
A Google passkey for your account extends to services like Gmail, Google Drive, and YouTube.
From a web browser or Android device, log into your Google Account and access myaccount.google.com/security. Scroll down to the “passkeys” section or find the area related to 2-Step Verification, and activate the creation of a passkey.
Confirm your identity using your phone’s biometrics or a hardware key. Afterward, you’ll be able to register additional devices. You can then use the passkey instead of your password when signing in to Google services.
Because Gmail is part of your Google Account, once you make a passkey for that main account, it automatically secures Gmail as well.
No separate process is required. If you wish to add more layers of security, you can keep two-factor authentication (2FA) or a hardware security key as a backup.
Passkeys are quickly gaining traction across popular platforms and services, offering enhanced security and ease of use.
If you’re wondering which platforms support passkeys, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list for you. Check out our directory of websites with passkey support to see who is embracing this cutting-edge authentication method.
Now, let’s explore how to set up Passkeys on some of the most widely used platforms.
Amazon now supports passkeys for secure and password-free login.
To set up an Amazon passkey, ensure your device has biometrics or a screen lock enabled.
On a supported browser or the Amazon shopping app, log in to your account.
Navigate to "Login & Security" in your account settings and select "Set up a Passkey."
Follow the prompts to activate the feature using your device's authentication method, such as a PIN or biometrics.
Microsoft’s ecosystem supports passwordless sign-in via Windows Hello and FIDO2.
To set up a Microsoft passkey for your Microsoft Account, go to the Microsoft account security page, choose “Advanced security options,” and add a FIDO passkey.
Once prompted, activate your biometric verification on your device.
This creates a passkey for your Microsoft services, simplifying login across Outlook, OneDrive, and more, while ensuring top-tier data protection.
Coinbase, one of the leading cryptocurrency platforms, highly values secure authentication.
Head to your Coinbase account settings, find the “Security” or “2-Step Verification” section and look for hardware security key options.
You can register a FIDO2 device here, which essentially serves as your Coinbase passkey.
Once enabled and activated, it provides a strong, passwordless layer of defense against unauthorized access to your crypto assets.
Discord is using passkeys and other various passwordless and advanced authentication methods.
To set up a Discord passkey, open the Discord app on a supported mobile device or browser.
Go to User Settings > Account > Security Keys, and select Add.
You may need to confirm your password or complete a multi-factor authentication (MFA) challenge.
Follow the prompts to activate and register your device’s Passkey, such as using biometrics or your screen lock.
Many websites are embracing passkeys through the WebAuthn standard.
Although interfaces differ, the process is fairly consistent:
Once added, you can simply use your passkey the next time you need to log in, eliminating the need to type a password or remember complex credentials.
Regularly update your operating systems, apps, and browsers to ensure continued compatibility with passkey standards.
If possible, use multiple forms of authentication, such as a hardware token alongside device biometrics, to reinforce your security.
Keep track of which devices have your passkeys to avoid confusion and unauthorized use.
Some devices or sites may not fully support passkeys yet, so ensure your hardware and software are up to date.
If registration fails, double-check that your device’s screen lock or biometric features are activated. If you have multiple passkeys or security keys, label them clearly to stay organized.
For specific troubleshooting steps, consult official support documentation from your device manufacturer, service provider, or platform of choice.
As technology evolves, passkeys will continue to gain traction, so stay informed by following reputable tech news sources.
With a bit of research and the right setup, you can enjoy the confidence of secure, password-free login experiences on nearly any device or platform.
If you’re ready to integrate the most secure and seamless passwordless authentication for your platform, OwnID is here to help.
Leave your contact information with us and start implementing cutting-edge passkey technology today. Elevate your security and user experience with the highest-grade solution available!
Yes, most platforms allow you to use both your password and passkey interchangeably.
Yes, passkeys are very safe! Think of it like having a unique key for a secret treasure chest that only you can open.
When you set up a passkey, the "key" to your account stays securely locked inside your device (like a vault), and only a safe "copy" is visible to the server connected to the internet.
This way, even if someone tries to trick you into sharing it (like phishing), the real key never leaves your vault, keeping your account safe from attackers.
If you lose a device with a registered passkey, you can still access your account using backup methods, such as a password or a secondary passkey stored on another device. Most platforms also allow you to revoke access to lost devices for added security.
Yes, you can register passkeys on multiple devices. Many platforms also sync passkeys across your ecosystem (e.g., Apple devices via iCloud Keychain) for convenience.
