A passkey is a modern and more secure alternative to using passwords. It allows you to sign in to websites and apps using your device, such as your phone, fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN.
Introduction
For many years, passwords have been the primary way of securing online accounts.
Unfortunately, passwords can be:
- Forgotten
- Stolen
- Reused across multiple websites
- Exposed in data breaches
Passkeys were created to solve many of these problems and make signing in both easier and more secure.
What Is a Passkey?
A passkey is a digital credential stored securely on your device.
Instead of entering a username and password, you sign in using:
✅ Face ID
✅ Touch ID
✅ Windows Hello
✅ Device PIN
✅ Fingerprint authentication
For example, when signing in to a website, your phone or computer may simply ask:
“Use Face ID to sign in?”
You authenticate using your device and are logged in without needing a password.
How Do Passkeys Work?
When you create a passkey, the website/service never receives your fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN. Instead, your device performs the verification locally and securely.
Why Are Passkeys More Secure?
Traditional passwords can be:
❌ Guessed
❌ Stolen through phishing emails
❌ Exposed in data breaches
❌ Reused across multiple sites
Passkeys offer several advantages:
✅ Cannot be guessed
✅ Cannot be reused between websites
✅ Resistant to phishing attacks
✅ Not stored in the same way as passwords
Passkeys vs Passwords
| Feature | Password | Passkey |
|---|---|---|
| Can Be Forgotten | ✅ | ❌ |
| Can Be Reused | ✅ | ❌ |
| Vulnerable to Phishing | ✅ | Much Less Likely |
| Requires Typing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Uses Face or Fingerprint | ❌ | ✅ |
| More Secure | ❌ | ✅ |
Where Are Passkeys Used?
Many major technology companies now support passkeys, including:
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Amazon
- PayPal
Support continues to grow as more organisations adopt passwordless authentication.
What Happens If You Get a New Device?
Most passkeys can be synchronised through your account provider.
Examples include:
- Apple iCloud Keychain
- Google Password Manager
- Microsoft Accounts
This allows passkeys to be available across your trusted devices.
Are Passwords Going Away?
Not completely.
Many websites still use passwords, and some services support both passwords and passkeys.
However, passkeys are becoming increasingly popular because they improve security while making sign-ins simpler for users.
Best Practice
✅ Use passkeys where available
✅ Keep devices updated
✅ Enable screen locks on phones and computers
✅ Continue to use Multi-Factor Authentication where supported
✅ Avoid reusing passwords on accounts that do not yet support passkeys
Key Takeaway
A passkey is a secure replacement for traditional passwords that allows you to sign in using your device, fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN. Passkeys are easier to use, harder for criminals to steal, and help protect against phishing attacks, making them one of the most important developments in online account security.