Hi Readers! If you are tired of remembering and typing passwords for your Google accounts, you might be interested in a new feature called Passkey. Passkey is a passwordless login method that allows you to sign in to your Google apps and services with just a tap using your device’s biometric sensor, PIN, or pattern. Passkeys are considered more secure than passwords, as they protect you from phishing attacks and eliminate the need for a second authentication factor. They also work across different browsers and operating systems, so you can use them on any device that supports them.
In this blog post, you will learn what Passkeys are, how they work, and how you can set them up for your personal Google accounts.
What are Passkeys?
Passkeys are digital credentials linked to your user account and a website or app. They are generated by your device and stored in the Google Password Manager, which syncs them between your Android devices signed into the same Google account.
Passkeys use public key cryptography to verify your identity between the website or app and the passkey. This means that only you can access and use your passkeys, and even Google can’t use them to impersonate you.
Passkeys replace both your password and your second authentication factor in a single step. When you want to sign in to a website or app that uses passkeys, you need to select your passkey and unlock your device with your biometric sensor, PIN, or pattern.
What is a Passkey Login?
Passkey login is a feature that allows you to sign in to your Apple devices and accounts without a password. Instead, you use your Apple ID and a six-digit verification code displayed on your trusted devices or sent to your phone number. Passkey login is more secure than passwords because it uses Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to authenticate you. Passkey login also protects you from phishing attacks and password breaches. To use Passkey login, you must have iCloud Keychain enabled and two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID. You can set up passkey login for websites and apps that support it or your Apple devices and accounts.
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What is Google Passkeys?
Google Passkeys are a great feature that allows you to sign in to your Google account and other apps and websites without a password. Instead, you can use your phone’s biometric authentication, such as your fingerprint or face recognition, to verify your identity. This way, you can avoid the hassle of remembering and typing passwords and protect your account from phishing and hacking.
Google passkeys, users need to have a Google account and an Android phone with Android 7.0 or higher. Users can enable Google passkeys in their Google account settings and choose which sites and apps they want to use them with. Users can also disable Google passkeys at any time if they prefer to use passwords or other authentication methods.
How to Set Up Google Passkeys?
To set up Google Passkeys, you need a compatible Android phone with Android 10 or higher and a Google account. You also need to enable two-step verification for your Google account, which adds an extra layer of security. Here are the steps to set up Google Passkeys:
- On your phone, go to Settings > Google > Account Services > Google Sign-in.
- Tap on Security > Use your phone to sign in.
- Turn on the toggle for Use your phone to sign in.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to confirm your phone’s biometric authentication and your Google account password.
- You will find a list of apps and websites that support Google Passkeys. Tap on any of them to enable Passkeys for that service.
- You can also add more apps and websites supporting Passkeys by tapping Add More at the bottom of the list.
Once you have set up Google Passkeys, you can sign in to any of the supported apps and websites by simply using your phone’s biometric authentication. You will see a notification on your phone when you try to sign in, and you can tap on it to verify your identity. You can also manage your Passkeys settings and preferences from the Google Sign-in section in your phone’s settings.
Google Passkeys are a convenient and secure way to sign in to your online accounts without using passwords, and they can save you time and protect you from phishing and hacking attacks. To learn more about Google Passkeys, visit https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/10365761.
How to Manage Passkeys?
You can view and manage your passkeys from the Google Password Manager. To access it, go to https://passwords.google.com/ and sign in with your Google account.
From there, you can see all the websites and apps that have passkeys associated with them. You can also delete any passkey that you no longer want to use.
If you face any loss of access to your device or forget your screen lock, you can still sign in with your username and password as a backup option. However, this will disable all the passkeys on that device until you sign in again with a passkey.
Passkey: What are Apple Passkeys?
Apple passkeys are a new way of signing in to apps without passwords. They are based on Face ID or Touch ID and are stored securely in iCloud Keychain. Apple passkeys are more convenient and secure than passwords because they eliminate the need to remember or type complex strings of characters. Apple Passkey also protects your privacy because they do not reveal your email address or other personal information to the app or website you are signing in to. You can use Apple passkeys on any device that supports iCloud Keychain with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, or watchOS 8 installed.
Passkey vs. Password: How Do they differ
Passkeys and passwords are both authentication methods, but they have some key differences. Here are some points to compare them:
- Passkeys are based on public key cryptography. This means they use a pair of public and private keys. The public key gets stored on the server; on the other hand, the private key is stored on the user’s device. Passwords are based on shared secrets, which means they use the exact string of characters on both ends.
- Passkeys are tied to the device they are created on, which means they cannot be used on another device without scanning a QR code and using biometric authentication or a PIN. Passwords can be used on any device that has access to the internet.
- Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they are harder to guess, steal, or leak, and they also eliminate the need for password managers, password policies, and password resets. Passwords are less secure than passkeys, and passwords are usually weak, reused, or compromised by phishing, breaches, or malware.
- Passkeys are more convenient than passwords because they only require a simple gesture such as a fingerprint scan or face recognition to sign in. They also work across different platforms and browsers that support WebAuthn standards. Passwords are less convenient than passkeys because they require memorizing or typing complex strings of characters for each account. They also vary in length and format depending on the website or app.
Conclusion
Passkeys are an innovative way of signing in to Google apps and services without passwords. They are more secure, convenient, and seamless than passwords, as they use your device’s biometric sensor, PIN, or pattern to authenticate you.
To use passkeys, you need a device that supports them and a personal Google account. You can create and use passkeys on any website or app that offers them as an option.
Passkeys are stored in the Google Password Manager, where you can view and manage them. You can also delete any passkey you don’t want to use anymore.
If you want to try out this new feature, go to https://g.co/passkeys and follow the instructions. Passkey is easier and safer than using passwords.
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